EADS, Colo. — Paramedic and storm-chaser Jason Blum traveled 900 miles in the hope of seeing a storm.
For the first time accompanied by his 14-year-old son, Chase, Blum was luckier than he expected. While rainbows after storms are common, to see one right next to a tornado it’s rare. The father and son captured the photo on camera and it quickly went viral, Caters reported.
Despite being only half a mile away from the tornado, which struck in Eads, Colo., the two were cautious.
“There are the purists who appreciate the science and who stay at very safe distances, there are the adrenaline junkies who know little or nothing about the science and who just want to go viral on YouTube and then there are those of us somewhere in the middle,” Blum said. “My motivation is to get the photos and I’m willing to take some chances but I do have a family, so there is a line which I won’t intentionally cross.”
The medic has 10 years of storm-chasing experience and has also responded to tornado disasters and mass casualties through his job, including the 2011 Joplin tornado.
“I was one of the first to arrive on-scene after the massive EF5 tornado travelled right through the middle of town, killing 159 people and destroying everything in its path, including thousands of homes and business, and a large hospital,” Blum said. “Tornadoes are incredible and can be beautiful to behold but they can also turn into deadly monsters with just a slight turn in direction, or just by staying on the ground a minute too long. I’ve seen both extremes.”
Storm chaser captures rare images showing the amazing contrast between a tornado and a rainbow http://t.co/PjkDbOZs4P via @Caters_News
— Sarah Beth Breck (@sarahbeth0404) August 24, 2015