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
09/21/2025
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
Flood Warning
National Weather Service Wichita KS
736 AM CDT Sun Sep 21 2025
Ellsworth KS-McPherson KS-Saline KS-
736 AM CDT Sun Sep 21 2025..FLOOD WARNING IN EFFECT UNTIL 130 PM CDT THIS AFTERNOON...
* WHAT...Flooding caused by excessive rainfall is expected.
* WHERE...A portion of Central Kansas, including the following
counties, Ellsworth, McPherson and Saline.
* WHEN...Until 130 PM CDT.
* IMPACTS...Flooding of rivers, creeks, streams, and other low-lying
and flood-prone locations is imminent or occurring.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 736 AM CDT, Doppler radar indicated heavy rain due to
thunderstorms. Flooding is ongoing or expected to begin
shortly in the warned area. Between 2.5 and 4 inches of rain
have fallen.
- Some locations that will experience flooding include...
Ellsworth, Wilson, Kanopolis, Marquette, Geneseo, Ellsworth
Airport, Kanopolis Lake and Kanopolis State Park.
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.
Stay away or be swept away. River banks and culverts can become
unstable and unsafe.
09/19/2025
BULLETIN - IMMEDIATE BROADCAST REQUESTED
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH OUTLINE UPDATE FOR WS 615
NWS STORM PREDICTION CENTER NORMAN OK
550 PM CDT FRI SEP 19 2025
SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 615 IS IN EFFECT UNTIL 1100 PM CDT FOR THE FOLLOWING LOCATIONS
KS KANSAS COUNTIES INCLUDED ARE
BARTON EDWARDS ELLIS
ELLSWORTH FINNEY FORD
GRAY HODGEMAN KINGMAN
KIOWA LANE LINCOLN
MCPHERSON NESS PAWNEE
PRATT RENO RICE
RUSH RUSSELL SALINE
STAFFORD TREGO
09/18/2025
🇺🇸
09/16/2025
"Elbeyi said this must involve vulnerable groups in debates because the misinformation tends to thrive when groups feel decisions are made without, or even against, them. 'And this exclusion can directly erode public trust in scientists and science more generally.'"
An email death threat marked the beginning of the end of one meteorologist's job. Experts say climate misinformation and conspiracy theories are fueling online hate.
09/16/2025
09/15/2025
Chasing water? Yep. In such a wet year, central Kansas has plenty to chase. Ever been to Ada or Barnard, Kansas? Well, here they are! Barnard had 13 inches of rain on Monday, and Salt Creek was still flooding there and near Ada on Thursday. Salt Creek drains a very flat area and has been slowly leaking into the Solomon River, keeping it higher than normal at Niles. More rain coming this week!⛈
09/14/2025
Hazardous Weather Outlook
National Weather Service Wichita KS
323 AM CDT Sun Sep 14 2025
KSZ032-033-047>053-067>072-082-083-091>096-098>100-150830-Russell-Lincoln-Barton-Ellsworth-Saline-Rice-McPherson-Marion-Chase-Reno-Harvey-Butler-Greenwood-Woodson-Allen-Kingman-Sedgwick-Harper-Sumner-Cowley-Elk-Wilson-Neosho-Chautauqua-Montgomery-Labette-
323 AM CDT Sun Sep 14 2025
This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of Central Kansas,
South Central Kansas and Southeast Kansas.DAY ONE...Today and Tonight
Scattered showers and thunderstorms will impact locations generally along and west of the Flint Hills today through this evening. An isolated thunderstorm or two capable of dime to quarter size hail and 50 to 60 mph winds is possible late this afternoon and evening, mainly along and west of a line extending from Lincoln to Lyons, to Kingman to Anthony. Locally heavy rainfall is possible as well. DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Monday through Saturday
A few lingering isolated thunderstorms are possible Monday across
central and eastern Kansas, but severe weather is not expected.
An unsettled weather pattern is expected Tuesday or Tuesday night
through Friday, with additional rounds of off-and-on showers and
thunderstorms expected across the region. Small hail, gusty winds,
and locally heavy rain may accompany the strongest activity
throughout this period.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotter activation is not anticipated today or tonight.
For a graphical version of this information, see our webpage at: https://www.weather.gov/erh/ghwo?wfo=ict
⛈ Photo: Floodwaters linger in Ada area 9/11
09/13/2025
Hazardous Weather Outlook (More heavy rain possible this weekend and next week!)
National Weather Service Wichita KS
330 PM CDT Sat Sep 13 2025 KSZ032-033-047>053-067>072-082-083-091>096-098>100-142030-Russell-Lincoln-Barton-Ellsworth-Saline-Rice-McPherson-Marion-Chase-Reno-Harvey-Butler-Greenwood-Woodson-Allen-Kingman-Sedgwick-Harper-
Sumner-Cowley-Elk-Wilson-Neosho-Chautauqua-Montgomery-Labette-
330 PM CDT Sat Sep 13 2025
This hazardous weather outlook is for portions of Central Kansas,
South Central Kansas and Southeast Kansas.DAY ONE...Tonight
A few thunderstorms are possible late tonight generally along and
west of Highway 281. Severe weather is not expected.DAYS TWO THROUGH SEVEN...Sunday through Friday
Scattered thunderstorms are possible Sunday through Sunday evening, mainly along and west of the the Kansas Turnpike. The stronger storms are expected to develop after 5pm and will be capable of producing small hail, gusty winds, and locally heavy rainfall.
An unsettled weather pattern with additional rounds of
thunderstorms look to affect the region beginning Tuesday or Tuesday
night and will persist through week`s end. Once again, small hail,
gusty winds, and locally heavy rain may accompany the strongest
activity.SPOTTER INFORMATION STATEMENT...
Spotter activation is not anticipated tonight.
For a graphical version of this information, see our webpage at: https://www.weather.gov/erh/ghwo?wfo=ict
09/13/2025
The only way to do this is through an immediate, world-wide, social and economic strike. The storm of fascist gravity is strong and steadily increasing, playing on the fears it manufactures to either imprison or enslave the people. Time isn't on the side of justice right now. Stop, drop and roll out of complacency. Capitalism must die! Need must triumph over greed! Prepare and be brave together. Survival depends on this moment right here. THIS one. https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/1288412/?utm_campaign=website&utm_medium=email&utm_source=sendgrid.com
09/12/2025
Chasing water today, I saw that the Solomon River is still rising but not the Saline. But the Solomon is fed upstream by Salt Creek which is very flat land. Water is everywhere up near Ada and Barnard still, due to the slow drainage and the 13 inches that fell in the Barnard area. NWS doesn't know the outcome of this and another rain event is coming this week. More video later!
09/11/2025
Salt Creek and Sand Creek come together in Ottawa County to join the Solomon River which runs through Niles. Niles, oddly, has no forecast on the NWS Rivers and Lakes forecast page. River is still up there. I'll provide the current gauge shots in comments, but it is VERY odd how long the Salt Creek has been flooding. May have to take a field trip...
Flood Statement
National Weather Service Topeka KS
856 AM CDT Thu Sep 11 2025..The Flood Warning continues for the following rivers in Kansas...
Salt Creek near Ada affecting Ottawa County.
PRECAUTIONARY/PREPAREDNESS ACTIONS...
Motorists should not attempt to drive around barricades or drive
cars through flooded areas.
This product along with additional weather and stream information is available at www.weather.gov/top/.
&&
KSC143-120500-
/O.EXT.KTOP.FL.W.0026.000000T0000Z-250913T0925Z/
/ADAK1.2.ER.250909T0742Z.250910T0030Z.250912T2125Z.NR/
856 AM CDT Thu Sep 11 2025..FLOOD WARNING NOW IN EFFECT UNTIL EARLY SATURDAY MORNING...
* WHAT...Moderate flooding is occurring and moderate flooding is
forecast. This approaches the flood of record.
* WHERE...Salt Creek near Ada.
* WHEN...Until early Saturday morning.
* IMPACTS...At 18.0 feet, Minor low land flooding along the Salt
Creek.
At 20.0 feet, 50th Road just south of the bridge over the Salt
Creek floods.
At 20.2 feet, Deck of 50th Road bridge over the Salt Creek floods.
At 21.0 feet, Flood waters are over one half mile wide over
cultivated farm land 3 miles east southeast of the town of Ada.
* ADDITIONAL DETAILS...
- At 7:45 AM CDT Thursday the stage was 21.0 feet.
- Forecast...The river is expected to fall below flood stage
tomorrow afternoon and continue falling to 13.6 feet Tuesday
morning.
- Flood stage is 18.0 feet.
&&
Fld Obs Forecasts
Location Stg Stg Day/Time Thu Fri Fri
1pm 1am 1pm
Salt Creek in Ottawa County
Ada 18.0 21.0 Thu 7am 20.7 19.7 18.4
&&
LAT...LON 3916 9793 3915 9778 3908 9768 3906 9769
3914 9793
09/10/2025
Looks like the worst flooding was up by Ada, northwest of Salina on the Salt Creek. Things have pretty much peaked on the Smoky Hill this morning and it is falling. The Smoky looked ferocious yesterday afternoon!
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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.
