Picture of Tornado in Iowa (Update: Picture is Real)

[tinkbutt]

ok I think a is needed

either way that is a nasty looking tornado!!!

Thank you Madi100 for sharing!

 

[Disney8704]

Just so you all know that photo is FAKE. I saw it 2 days ago on aol.com. Someone by the name of Lori Mehmen supposedly took that photo. Theres no way anyone would be that dumb to stand there and take a photo of a funnel cloud that close. Not unless they have a death wish. Plus the funnel cloud shape is TO perfect to be real. And wheres all the debris?


http://news.aol.com/story/_a/funneling-fury/20071231193609990001?icid=100214839x1204112261x1200160489#cmntbgn

 

[dpuck1998]

If it looks too good to be true...

 

[Disney8704]

...It probably is

If it looks too good to be true...

 

[Madi100]

All right. Because I don't want to be spreading a picture that is not true, which I really don't think people are saying I am meaning to, but still I wanted to know for my own good. So, I emailed the picture to our meteorologist from the Quad Cities. Here is his response:

That absolutely is a real photo and not doctored. At the time this picture was taken, a tornado was not on the ground. You're seeing an incredible wall cloud lowering from the main cloud. A tornado was produced by this storm, but believe it or not it was very small and did not do much damage. I used to work in Mason City and I was talking with my counterparts there who covered the storm and they gave me some of the details. Regardless, it is an amazing picture!



Here is a news article from the newspaper that originally printed the picture.

http://www.mcpress.com/articles/2008/06/12/latest_news/latenews01.txt



Ryan



==============

Ryan Burchett

Chief Meteorologist

KWQC TV-6 First Alert Weather

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

Nicole -- I just want to say I'm sorry that so many people doubted the authenticity of the photo. You have gone above and beyond in bringing us the details. You Go Girl !!!

 

[Madi100]

Nicole -- I just want to say I'm sorry that so many people doubted the authenticity of the photo. You have gone above and beyond in bringing us the details. You Go Girl !!!

I don't think anyone meant it personally. And, when I get forwards, nothing makes me madder when they pass on things that are not true. So, I started it and wanted to make sure it was true. From the sources I had seen it, I thought it was. But, I'm glad I could get a definite answer for everyone.

 

[Cyrano]

This is a very scary photograph.
Thoughts to everyone involved in this

 

[calypso*a*go-go]

I don't think anyone meant it personally.

I know none of it was directed towards you, but felt bad that you were just trying to share and then had to turn into a detective! Oh well, it's not like you have anything else going on right now, do you? LOL

 

[dpuck1998]

I know none of it was directed towards you, but felt bad that you were just trying to share and then had to turn into a detective! Oh well, it's not like you have anything else going on right now, do you? LOL

As a huge doubter I'm glad you understand we aren't "blaming" the OP. I get so much garbage in email and even people at work printing it out and hanging it up, it kills me. I'm usually quick to pull the "fake card" because so much of those things are fake. I still have my doubts, but if you've done due diligence then I take you at your word.

 

[eek40]

I don't think anyone meant it personally. And, when I get forwards, nothing makes me madder when they pass on things that are not true. So, I started it and wanted to make sure it was true. From the sources I had seen it, I thought it was. But, I'm glad I could get a definite answer for everyone.

Thanks Madi for understanding I was not trying to be rude. I sent it into Snopes and they wrote me back with a link to the story. It is a real photograph and they say that it just has the wrong location associated with it. If anyone else is interested snopes.com then search iowatornado. Again OP I never meant to put you out on a limb.

 

[Mickey_Man]

What an incredible shot that is. The whole thing is just so tragic, and i often feel guilty marveling at the photos as i know it is such a destructive and horrible thing, but for someone to capture that picture is incredible. One of my good friends has family all over Iowa and he has been relaying their stories back - it is just so sad. I hope everyone affected is able to recover from this and hopefully people will pull together and help them through this awful time. Does anyone know of a reputable place to make a donation?

All right. Because I don't want to be spreading a picture that is not true, which I really don't think people are saying I am meaning to, but still I wanted to know for my own good. So, I emailed the picture to our meteorologist from the Quad Cities. Here is his response:

That absolutely is a real photo and not doctored. At the time this picture was taken, a tornado was not on the ground. You're seeing an incredible wall cloud lowering from the main cloud. A tornado was produced by this storm, but believe it or not it was very small and did not do much damage. I used to work in Mason City and I was talking with my counterparts there who covered the storm and they gave me some of the details. Regardless, it is an amazing picture!



Here is a news article from the newspaper that originally printed the picture.

http://www.mcpress.com/articles/2008/06/12/latest_news/latenews01.txt



Ryan



==============

Ryan Burchett

Chief Meteorologist

KWQC TV-6 First Alert Weather

 

[UrsulasShadow]

Thank you, Nicole, for the clarification on the picture. From the description given on the link, it was really a small, brief tornado and a large wall cloud, and the picture is so dramatic because of the perspective. It really is a stunning picture, made more so by its authenticity. I'm very glad to hear that no human loss was suffered by this particular tornado, for then we can really admire the beauty of nature. So many times lately the tragedy takes away from the wonder of it all.