Fake Stormchasers Bad Behavior Irresponsible Driving Dangerous Hazardous Trouble Advertisers

The NASCAS organization continues to receive numerous complaints and comments from the public, advertising agencies, media outlets, law enforcement, scientific and storm spotter groups concerning dangerous and irresponsible storm chasing activities. The main topic of these complaints include: amateur local individuals and persons or groups encountered while chasing or witnessed on television, the Internet and print media.

The bulk of public and government issues with stormchasers involve a small group of storm chasers or individuals who falsely identify themselves as scientists, rescue personnel, certified storm spotters, or in some rare instances law enforcement personnel. The problem is only complicated by media, Internet websites and production companies who falsely portray individuals as having legitimate scientific, safety or other responsible purposes for chasing. Another developing problem is the pirating of tornado , hurricane , and other storm chaser footage.

Additional Irresponsible Storm Chasing Concerns For Advertisers Sponsors And Responsible Stormchasers

We strongly suggest that all media, commercial and potential advertising sources confirm an individual's actual chase-related background and history before committing to interviews, features, advertising, etc. Despite fancy websites, seemingly accurate television shows and print media stories, the majority of "chasers" are in reality, part-timers who have regular 9-5 occupations not related to meteorology, research or journalism. Many are simply chasing to promote home-made DVD's or create viral YouTube clips.

Just because a chaser is seen on television, Internet or in print, does not always mean they pursue storms in a safe, true and respected manner. Many advertisers and media outlets are stunned to learn an individuals true background. Some well known storm chasers have extremely low respect values in the professional community. In fact, some storm chasers are fringe individuals who commit unsafe and potentially criminal acts, putting commercial interests (advertisers and sponsors) at great legal and publicity risk. Hazardous and dangerous storm chasers often go to great lengths to disguise inappropriate or reckless storm chasing activities. This incudes hurricane chasers and tornado chasers.

Despite precautions, media sources have recently reported serious problems because they were mislead by individuals (or groups) in regards to storm chasing activities, including the person's experience, background and actual purpose for chasing storms. In some instances, individuals have falsely claimed to be researchers, media personnel and even emergency responders in order to achieve media attention or to gain access to closed areas.

NASCAS offers free referral services to the media and commercial clients for locating professional storm chasers, amateur storm chasers, scientists and storm spotters.

References: Bad Irresponsible Fake Misleading Hazardous Irresponsible Dangerous Behavior Except Responsible stormchasers and Storm Chasing Chasers Tornado Chaser

1: Irresponsible Media Storm Chase Practices: Roger Edwards and Chuck Doswell.

2: As storm chasing gets more popular, dangers and conflicts increase: Examiner.com

3: Excellent Discussion concerning Scientific Storm Chasers falsely claiming to save lives: Chuck Doswell.

4: "Irresponsible Chasing" caught on video! You Tube.

Disclaimer: Text is editorial and opinion. The reader understands there are many media, print, Internet and production outlets that present storm chasing activities and no one production, individual or group is targeted in this discussion.