rooftop stupidity
What do you do when you hear tornado sirens go off? If you’re me, and you’re working at your office in downtown Lawrence – you go to the roof to check it out. Seemed like an exhilarating idea at the time. After two or three bone-shaking lightning strikes – I reconsidered. I made my way to street level to join many other people who chose to go outside and look up rather than seek the safety of a basement or storm shelter. The sirens went off several more times, but the tornado never made an appearance in Lawrence.
I didn’t know I got this lightning strike until reviewing the photos later. It’s not spectacular – but when I stitched it together for a rooftop panorama it made for a good little weather shot. And thankfully, I didn’t get popped by a bolt of lightning. I’m a native Kansan, so I grew up watching severe storms from our front porch. And later as a TV photojournalist, I spent many Springs and Summers chasing tornados across the Midwest. So, going to a three-story roof in severe weather didn’t seem like a totally stupid idea. But, we all know it was stupid. I just wonder if I’ll be up there again during the next severe storm. SEE PHOTO BIG
wow, that’s awesome, Doug. Nicely done. I didn’t get askeert of tornadoes until the F5s that went thru Moore, OK in 1999. That put a new perspective on storms for me.
The motorcycle rider who got killed by lightning Saturday on K40 wasn’t so lucky. Be really careful dude… we need you to stick around a good long time.
Doug,
I can tell you really are the Kansas guy but going to the roof for that shot is perhaps a bit over the top. Glad you got some pics but hey, a little dose of common sense man!
I had enough common sense to “get off the roof.” Just have to work on the urge to go there in the first place. Thanks for dropping by brother.
-doug
The luckiest photographer in the world does it once again.
-Bruce
Amazing shot, as usual.
this photo is AMAZING – wish i could have had this view of the storm. we were in our scary basement instead.