Emergency Workers Call Storm Tourists A Nuisance
Associated Press - Mon 07:59 AM 06/18/2012
Tourists are flocking to sign up for vacation packages filled with storm chasing
Tourists are flocking to sign up for vacation packages filled with storm chasing. For them it's a trip of a lifetime, but some emergency workers find the tour groups a nuisance during what can be life and death situations.
Rush County Emergency Management Director Jim Fisher recalled what happened in early May, the night a tornado wrapped in a wall of rain was about to flow through LaCrosse. When he needed to move some storm spotters down a county road, it was blocked by a tour van and a group of sightseers with tripods set up in the middle of the road.
One of the tour members told a Rush County storm spotter he had paid $1,000 to storm chase and he had every right to be there.
---
Associated Press Information from: The Hutchinson News
Comments must stay on topic and be respectful. Comments that are personal attacks, make unfounded accusations, or are for the purpose of "trolling" or inciting others will be removed. Offending users will have their profile suspended.
Post a comment Log in or Register to comment
GetAGrip
Monday 18 June 2012 09:06 Report this comment
Simple solution, when resources are available, ticket or arrest those blocking the roadway and induce a heavy enough fine to deter another incident. The law is on the books, USE IT instead of complaining about tourists blocking the roadway. Another thought is litigate against those selling the vacation package.
Indy452
Monday 18 June 2012 10:14 Report this comment
I would say the tourist blocking the roadway is a severe hazard....for them to say they have every right to be there is a poor excuse. They should be ticketed. My question is how the hell do you plan a trip like this??
WhoCares
Monday 18 June 2012 11:14 Report this comment
So a Rush County Storm Spotter has every right to go out and block traffic? He's not part of the emergency crew, he's only a spotter. I can spot a funnel cloud a mile away, why do the storm spotters need to be closer than me? Let me guess, to get the best photos? Let someone stop me from watching a tornado....
Iamgonnagetu
Monday 18 June 2012 11:20 Report this comment
I rather have these people then the bio-science disaster waiting to happen at Manhattan. They say it would be built to only withstand an category 2 tornado.
old_biker
Monday 18 June 2012 11:52 Report this comment
Hey Kansas Legislators.... Can these tours be taxed even if their from out of state? I know hotels charge taxes for tourism, why not these traveling shows. Afterall its another source of income.
getumgranny
Monday 18 June 2012 14:13 Report this comment
I think this should be against the law. These tourist could be putting many lives in jeopardy by getting in the way of the ones that are out here tracking and reporting to the public what is going on and where the storms are at. I wish they would have ticketed the ones out there on the highways sightseeing and sitting along side the roads, taking the risk of causing very serious accidents. The ones with small children out there should have been ticketed for child endangerment, the children have no say so as to their parents putting their lives in danger.
troy
Monday 18 June 2012 19:10 Report this comment
Boom, Boom, Boom Boom Ba Boom, Boom Boom stereos are illegal and I don't hear a decline in my neighborhood, why should this be enforced any differently. Don't tell me it's a safety thing, nation wide the number of accidents involving Boom cars and emergency vehicle is on the increase, these kids simply cannot hear an ambulance coming.
amywho
Monday 18 June 2012 19:25 Report this comment
It probably wouldn't be that big of a deal if people just used some common sense. You know like pull of to the side of road when emergency vehicles are coming, and to not stop in the middle of the road so no one can get around you just to take pictures. Maybe the official county storm spotters need to have tow trucks with them. either get your car out of the way, or it gets towed lol.
Iamgonnagetu
Tuesday 19 June 2012 13:33 Report this comment
Emergency managers cannot tell the same story twice. Some of these storm spotters are worst than any tourist would ever be.