Semi Outruns Tornado Seconds Before Building Is Destroyed

SevereStudios/Hall/Peake/Weather Channel

As intense storms pummel the midwest and southern United States, videos shot by storm chasers and amateurs alike are making their way to social media. Videos of twisters wreaking havoc from Minnesota through Iowa Wednesday (April 13), have those in the paths of the storms on edge as they make their way eastward.

One video that quickly caught internet attention was a close call between an 18-wheeler and a twister the rural Iowa community of Gilmore City, roughly 120 miles north of Des Moines. Captured by a storm chaser, the clip shows the big rig turn off of a main highway onto a side road. Behind the camera, chasers can be heard voicing concern for the truck as it appears to have turned directly into the path of the tornado.

“It’s gonna hit that barn. It’s gonna hit that semi!”

Seconds later, as the truck passes a trio of small buildings, debris begins to fly through the air. The truck continues to drive, apparently unaware of what had almost transpired.

Watch the terrifying video HERE.

This week’s tornado outbreak comes just three weeks after Texas teen, Riley Leon, became an internet star after the truck he was driving was struck by a tornado. Footage of the incident was captured by storm chaser Brian Emfinger who caught the moment the teen’s red Chevy was flipped onto its side, spun around, then set back on its four wheels. The teen, who was on his way home from a job interview at Whataburger, drove away unharmed.

The following week a Fort Worth, Texas, Chevy dealership gifted Leon a 2022 Chevy Silverado and a check for $15,000. Watch the viral moment Riley Leon’s truck was caught in a tornado below.