Meterologist Tony Laubach was part of the storm chasing team which had three members killed by a tornado in Oklahoma.
Laubach, currently in the southern Illinois community of DeSoto, is part of the Twistex team. He says he was two miles behind the three men who died, as they collected data on the tornadoes: "It's something we've done countless times in the past and have done it successfully and safely and whatever happened on this one is just horrible beyond words."
Laubach says the data storm chasers gather is useful in understanding tornadoes and saving lives in the future, for example by allowing for the design of structures that will withstand tornado winds.
Tornado researchers Tim Samaras, his son Paul Samaras and Carl Young lost their lives during a tornado in El Reno, Oklahoma. A total of 10 people were killed in that tornado Friday in Oklahoma.
Laubach blogs about severe weather on his webpage www.tornadoeskick.com.
