One man. One film. Many stories. And tornadoes. We used to have 3 channels on television, and one played a cowbell whenever there was a storm watch or warning.
Tornadoes Through Time
FENT'S POST PRODUCTIONS LLC·THURSDAY, MARCH 22, 2018·
In my lifetime, storm prediction has come a very long way. The storm could have been anywhere within a hundred miles. Radar wasn’t very advanced and the only chasers were media or law enforcement personnel. It was thought that the low pressure inside a tornado caused houses to explode and people were told to open their wi
ndows before taking shelter in a basement corner. More often than now, tornadoes caught people without any warning at all. Over time, storms have been dissected and many causes revealed as to what makes tornadoes. Rotation is detected before a funnel forms. Debris balls show up on highly sophisticated radar. Warnings are only for the portions of counties in a storm path. We know that tornadoes don’t create enough vacuum to explode a house, but simply blow it to bits. Underground is still the safe place but we are to seek the innermost room, not a corner. “Chasers” surround storms by the dozens, though the level of expertise varies from trained meteorologists to kids in pickup trucks who have no idea what to look for and look out for under these monstrous, spinning thunderstorms that sweep across the great plains. Fent’s Post Productions is producing a film about an unusually potent batch of storms that made history in north-central Kansas. As producer, director and photographer, I also bring a lifetime of experience as a cameraman, feature writer and storm student to this project. My various assistants and I have researched, traveled and trained all over the state and coast to coast to interview those involved in this disaster. I continue to ride with veteran storm chasers to capture these awesome, timeless storms on camera. In production since 2009, the film’s final interviews will be completed soon and post production is starting. I have personally given everything I’ve been able to give to this project. It has been by turns tedious, exhilarating, exasperating, exhausting, rewarding, scary, bizarre, beautiful, bewildering, educational and always expensive. As citizens, many things have improved for us since 1973. However, so many issues of that year - that decade- remain much as they were. Rhetorical questions continue to be political footballs. Media entities often act on profit rather than on what is true. Divisions among us have widened as these dynamic forces rip and tear at the very foundations of who we are. Yet there is a creative force which continually emerges from the human spirit, and we see time and again how our shared struggles bring out the best in us. This is at the core of this story. This is the source of hope that drives me to complete this film and share it with you. If you want to help out, I’ll also share the credit with you. This is much more than another tornado film. Tornadoes come and go. What endures is the way that we treat each other when the heavy sky descends. We often act out of fear, but we ultimately want the same things for our families, friends and neighbors. Sometimes we have to watch these storms from a different vantage point to understand what is at stake. Sometimes we can’t see the storm for the clouds.
- Ron Fent
08/08/2025
We're constantly bombarded with this idiot's insane shenanigans. But his current effort to "take over DC" is, of course, illegal, and also brings up the 1973 "D.C. Home Rule", signed into law by Nixon. This is a turning point, my friends. If he is allowed to federalize the streets of DC, it will spread to every city with a declaration of martial law, something he has been eager to do. That's when the next Civil War begins. Militia's will join in, just as fake ICE agents popped up to harass us. I saw them in my own neighborhood! A truck was appearing at night with very bright lights, just cruising around and spying on us. Terrifying. We MUST put an end to this administration before it gets to that point. Nixon was a complicated mess, but the checks and balances within our US Constitution kept him in check. What will do that now? Us! By the people, for the people. Not just for "Big Balls".
Can President Trump take over D.C.? What is D.C. home rule? How does it work? And why does it matter? Here are some answers to these pressing questions. Chances are that D.C. home rule has been on your mind lately. It certainly has been in the news. Members of Congress—one representing Utah (2,000...
08/08/2025
Nixon's ghost is constantly summoned for comparison. At least Nixon could use alcohol as an excuse. This f**k is just plain nuts.
President Donald Trump's tantrum over the weak jobs numbers and termination of the Bureau of Labor Statistics director is in many ways a repeat of history, as former President Richard Nixon similarly became paranoid that federal data was being cooked to sabotage him. But there's a big difference in....
08/03/2025
Now, if we can just reverse every other stupid decision from this administration, that is, almost ALL of them! The doomsday clock is now set at 89 seconds to midnight, the closest ever! Other reports put global temperatures at a point of no return, so even if we started now, there isn't enough time to reverse the coming chaos. What should we do with this information? I would suggest planning for all of the shortages to come. Locally-grown food, water purification items and perhaps home electrical generators for the increasing bouts of brownouts and blackouts. And, yes, do home defense planning as societal breakdown is part of the "doomsday" equation. Can't do much about wars except to keep urging our nation's leaders to cut the crap and take care of people, not profits!
The Department of Defense now says it will continue sharing key data collected by three sophisticated weather satellites that help forecasters track hurricanes.
07/30/2025
Now, turning to the OTHER storm watch:
International non-profit Civicus says ‘sustained attacks on civic freedoms’ put US on par with El Salvador and Kenya
07/25/2025
"Waterloggate" July 24, 2025 at Salina, Smoky Hill River wilding...
It came up even higher this week, closing the park. Shot it from the east side this time.
07/25/2025
Flood Warning
National Weather Service Wichita KS
827 AM CDT Fri Jul 25 2025..The National Weather Service in Wichita KS has issued a Flood
Warning for the following rivers in Kansas...
Smoky Hill River Near Mentor affecting Saline and McPherson
Counties.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Do not drive into flooded areas or go around barricades. Nearly two feet of water will carry most vehicles away. Turn around, don`t
drown. Additional information is available at www.weather.gov.
The next statement will be issued this evening at 830 PM CDT.
827 AM CDT Fri Jul 25 2025..FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT FROM THIS AFTERNOON TO EARLY SUNDAY AFTERNOON...
* WHAT...Moderate flooding is forecast.
* WHERE...Smoky Hill River near Mentor.
* WHEN...From this afternoon to early Sunday afternoon.
* IMPACTS...At 24.0 feet, Some low lying rural county roads begin to
flood along with extensive field flooding.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 7:45 AM CDT Friday the stage was 7.1 feet.
- Forecast...The river is expected to rise above flood stage
late this afternoon to a crest of 24.0 feet early tomorrow
afternoon. It will then fall below flood stage early Sunday
morning. - Flood stage is 20.0 feet.
Fld Observed Forecasts (7 am CDT)
Location Stg Stg Day/Time Sat Sun Mon
Smoky Hill River
Mentor 20.0 7.1 Fri 7 am CDT 23.1 15.7 5.4
LAT...LON 3865 9766 3871 9762 3886 9763 3883 9754
3869 9753 3860 9758
Smith
07/25/2025
The river was wild-looking today! Logs are still there, but pushed more tightly now. Mostly mid-river. The upriver end is piled 20 feet high at least! I'll post the clip tomorrow... If we don't have yet another intense rain event with tonight's watch! WAJ! Wet Ass July
Flood Watch
National Weather Service Wichita KS
209 PM CDT Thu Jul 24 2025
Ellsworth-Saline-Rice-McPherson-Marion-Chase-Reno-Harvey-Butler-Greenwood-Kingman-Sedgwick-Including the cities of Marion, Hillsboro, Augusta, Wilson, Hutchinson, El Dorado, Cottonwood Falls, Newton, McPherson, Valley Center, Wichita, Rose Hill, Kingman, Derby, Eureka, Salina, Andover, Haysville, Madison, Park City, Strong City, Peabody, Ellsworth, Sterling, Bel Aire, and Lyons 209 PM CDT Thu Jul 24 2025..FLOOD WATCH NOW IN EFFECT FROM 7 PM CDT THIS EVENING THROUGH FRIDAY EVENING...
* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall continues to be
possible.
* WHERE...Portions of Central, South Central, and Southeast Kansas,
including the following counties, in Central Kansas, Chase,
Ellsworth, Marion, McPherson, Rice and Saline. In South Central
Kansas, Butler, Harvey, Kingman, Reno and Sedgwick. In Southeast
Kansas, Greenwood.
* WHEN...From 7 PM CDT this evening through Friday evening.
* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers,
creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood
Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.
07/24/2025
Flood Watch
National Weather Service Wichita KS
128 AM CDT Thu Jul 24 2025
Ellsworth-Saline-Rice-McPherson-Marion-Chase-Reno-Harvey-Butler-Greenwood-Kingman-Sedgwick-Including the cities of Park City, Wichita, Hutchinson, Eureka, Bel Aire, Salina, Lyons, Wilson, El Dorado, Hillsboro, Valley Center, McPherson, Madison, Marion, Sterling, Kingman, Newton, Haysville, Strong City, Peabody, Cottonwood Falls, Andover, Derby, Rose Hill, Augusta, and Ellsworth
128 AM CDT Thu Jul 24 2025..FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON...
* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.
* WHERE...Portions of Central, South Central, and Southeast Kansas,
including the following counties, in Central Kansas, Chase,
Ellsworth, Marion, McPherson, Rice and Saline. In South Central
Kansas, Butler, Harvey, Kingman, Reno and Sedgwick. In Southeast
Kansas, Greenwood.
* WHEN...From this evening through Friday afternoon.
* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers,
creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood
Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.
Brian Baerg
07/24/2025
The Smoky is falling, but rain has returned this Thursday AM!
Flood Watch
National Weather Service Wichita KS
128 AM CDT Thu Jul 24 2025
Ellsworth-Saline-Rice-McPherson-Marion-Chase-Reno-Harvey-Butler-Greenwood-Kingman-Sedgwick-
Including the cities of Park City, Wichita, Hutchinson, Eureka,
Bel Aire, Salina, Lyons, Wilson, El Dorado, Hillsboro, Valley
Center, McPherson, Madison, Marion, Sterling, Kingman, Newton,
Haysville, Strong City, Peabody, Cottonwood Falls, Andover,
Derby, Rose Hill, Augusta, and Ellsworth
128 AM CDT Thu Jul 24 2025..FLOOD WATCH IN EFFECT FROM THIS EVENING THROUGH FRIDAY AFTERNOON...
* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is possible.
* WHERE...Portions of Central, South Central, and Southeast Kansas,
including the following counties, in Central Kansas, Chase,
Ellsworth, Marion, McPherson, Rice and Saline. In South Central
Kansas, Butler, Harvey, Kingman, Reno and Sedgwick. In Southeast
Kansas, Greenwood.
* WHEN...From this evening through Friday afternoon.
* IMPACTS...Excessive runoff may result in flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying and flood-prone locations.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
You should monitor later forecasts and be alert for possible Flood
Warnings. Those living in areas prone to flooding should be prepared to take action should flooding develop.
&&
$$
Baerg
07/23/2025
Flood Statement
National Weather Service Wichita KS
101 PM CDT Wed Jul 23 2025..The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Kansas...
Smoky Hill River Near Mentor affecting Saline and McPherson
Counties.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Do not drive into flooded areas or go around barricades. Nearly two feet of water will carry most vehicles away. Turn around, don't
drown. Caution is urged when walking near riverbanks.
Additional information is available at www.weather.gov.
The next statement will be issued late tonight at 115 AM CDT.
101 PM CDT Wed Jul 23 2025..FLOOD WARNING REMAINS IN EFFECT UNTIL EARLY FRIDAY MORNING...
* WHAT...Minor flooding is forecast. This approaches the flood of
record.
* WHERE...Smoky Hill River near Mentor.
* WHEN...Until early Friday morning.
* IMPACTS...At 22.0 feet, The lower portions of ball fields and bike
trail at Burke Park in Salina floods along with soccer fields near
the river south of Magnolia Road.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 12:45 PM CDT Wednesday the stage was 17.6 feet.
- Forecast...The river is expected to rise above flood stage
this evening to a crest of 23.0 feet tomorrow morning. It
will then fall below flood stage early tomorrow afternoon.
- Flood stage is 20.0 feet.
07/22/2025
The Smoky Hill River is still rising this afternoon, cresting tomorrow morning at Mentor. Once again, Mulberry Creek (pictured today) didn't quite get as high as predicted. It is highly unusual to get this much rain, as much as 9 inches south of Salina, in July. It was nice to have the cooling in the middle of a heat warning, though!
07/22/2025
Rain chances just went up for today. Here's this morning's radar clip and a shot from May 21, 2019 of Mulberry Creek flooding.
Flood Statement National Weather Service Wichita KS
829 AM CDT Tue Jul 22 2025..The Flood Warning is extended for the following rivers in
Kansas... Smoky Hill River At Lindsborg affecting McPherson County...The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Kansas...
Mulberry Creek Near Salina affecting Saline County.
Smoky Hill River Near Mentor affecting Saline and McPherson
Counties.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Do not drive into flooded areas or go around barricades. Nearly two
feet of water will carry most vehicles away. Turn around, don`t
drown.
Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive
cars through flooded areas.
Stay tuned to further developments by listening to your local radio,
television, or NOAA Weather Radio for further information.
Additional information is available at www.weather.gov.
The next statement will be issued this evening at 830 PM CDT.
Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Fent's Post Productions LLC posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
In my lifetime, storm prediction has come a very long way. We used to have 3 channels on television, and one played a cowbell whenever there was a storm watch or warning. The storm could have been anywhere within a hundred miles. Radar wasn’t very advanced and the only chasers were media or law enforcement personnel. It was thought that the low pressure inside a tornado caused houses to explode and people were told to open their windows before taking shelter in a basement corner. More often than now, tornadoes caught people without any warning at all.
Over time, storms have been dissected and many causes revealed as to what makes tornadoes. Rotation is detected before a funnel forms. Debris balls show up on highly sophisticated radar. Warnings are only for the portions of counties in a storm path. We know that tornadoes don’t create enough vacuum to explode a house, but simply blow it to bits. Underground is still the safe place but we are to seek the innermost room, not a corner. “Chasers” surround storms by the dozens, though the level of expertise varies from trained meteorologists to kids in pickup trucks who have no idea what to look for and look out for under these monstrous, spinning thunderstorms that sweep across the great plains.
Fent’s Post Productions is producing a film about an unusually potent batch of storms that made history in north-central Kansas. As producer, director and photographer, I also bring a lifetime of experience as a cameraman, feature writer and storm student to this project. My various assistants and I have researched, traveled and trained all over the state and coast to coast to interview those involved in this disaster. I continue to ride with veteran storm chasers to capture these awesome, timeless storms on camera. In production since 2009, the film’s final interviews will be completed soon and post production is starting. I have personally given everything I’ve been able to give to this project. It has been by turns tedious, exhilarating, exasperating, exhausting, rewarding, scary, bizarre, beautiful, bewildering, educational and always expensive.
As citizens, many things have improved for us since 1973. However, so many issues of that year - that decade- remain much as they were. Rhetorical questions continue to be political footballs. Media entities often act on profit rather than on what is true. Divisions among us have widened as these dynamic forces rip and tear at the very foundations of who we are. Yet there is a creative force which continually emerges from the human spirit, and we see time and again how our shared struggles bring out the best in us. This is at the core of this story. This is the source of hope that drives me to complete this film and share it with you. If you want to help out, I’ll also share the credit with you.
This is much more than another tornado film. Tornadoes come and go. What endures is the way that we treat each other when the heavy sky descends. We often act out of fear, but we ultimately want the same things for our families, friends and neighbors. Sometimes we have to watch these storms from a different vantage point to understand what is at stake.
