There are few people more synonymous with storm chasing than Reed Timmer. For decades, audiences have watched him barrel toward some of nature's most violent phenomena in pursuit of science, understanding, and, admittedly, a little adrenaline. But Never Stop Chasing isn't simply another film about tornadoes. Under the direction of longtime friend and collaborator Ken Cole, the documentary becomes something much more personal, exploring the passion, grief, obsession, and resilience that fuel a life spent chasing storms.
Having the opportunity to speak with both Cole and Timmer was a genuine pleasure, especially because their enthusiasm for the subject is completely infectious. In a perfectly on-brand moment, Timmer actually joined our interview while actively tracking severe weather. After briefly apologizing for connection issues caused by a storm system near Bloomington, Illinois, he explained that he had to move to higher ground to get his signal back. It was a surreal reminder that for Timmer, storm chasing isn't something he talks about; it's something he lives every single day.
For Cole, the film represents the culmination of a relationship that stretches back more than twenty years. He first met Timmer as a student at the University of Oklahoma and documented him in the PBS documentary Tornado Glory. Since then, Cole has periodically revisited Timmer's story, checking in every few years as both man and meteorologist evolved. Looking back, he felt enough time had passed since Tornado Chasers and enough life had been lived to warrant another chapter. Timmer had endured the tragedy of the 2013 El Reno tornado, the loss of mentor Tim Samaras, and the death of longtime friend and chase partner Joel Taylor. Cole wanted to know whether that seemingly endless passion for chasing still burned as intensely as it did when they first met. As he discovered during filming, the answer was an emphatic yes. Despite everything Timmer has experienced, Cole observed that he's "chasing harder than he ever has."
What fascinated Cole most wasn't what had changed but how those changes had shaped Timmer's pursuit. The boundless energy and enthusiasm remain, but they're tempered by experience. He explained that Timmer's connection to the science has only deepened over the years, while his understanding of the destruction left behind by these storms has become far more personal. The losses of Tim Samaras, Paul Samaras, Carl Young, and Joel Taylor forced him to reckon with the reality that tornadoes are far more than fascinating weather phenomena. They are life-altering events. Rather than causing him to step back, however, those experiences seem to have strengthened his determination to push forward.
That tension between awe and devastation is what makes Never Stop Chasing so compelling. Plenty of storm-chasing projects focus on spectacle, but Cole felt it was impossible to tell an honest story without addressing the difficult questions that naturally accompany the pursuit. He acknowledged the criticism storm chasers often face from people who view the activity as a fascination with destruction, admitting that it's a conflict those within the community wrestle with themselves. How do you dedicate your life to chasing something capable of such immense devastation? For Cole, the events surrounding the El Reno tornado forever changed the conversation. The loss of Team TWISTEX wasn't simply a tragic moment in storm-chasing history; it became a turning point that forced everyone involved to reevaluate why they do what they do. That reality became fundamental to the film's emotional core.
If anyone embodies that complicated relationship with severe weather, it's Timmer. When asked why he continues despite the obvious risks, his response was immediate and unwavering. He spoke passionately about his love for storm chasing, meteorology, and the scientific opportunities made possible by modern technology. Deploying sensors into tornadoes, collecting real-time data, and warning communities in harm's way are all part of a mission that he says has only grown more intense with age. In fact, Timmer admitted he will likely continue chasing storms for the rest of his life. Speaking from the field, actively tracking severe weather during our interview, he explained that he was loving "every second of it" and remains just as motivated by science as he was when he first began.
That scientific mission runs throughout Never Stop Chasing, particularly in its exploration of Timmer's sometimes controversial reputation within the meteorological community. Despite earning a Ph.D. in meteorology, Timmer has long been known for pursuing tornadoes more aggressively than many of his peers. The film addresses that criticism directly by incorporating perspectives from respected scientists such as Dr. Howard Bluestein and Dr. Josh Wurman. According to Cole, their inclusion wasn't merely about providing scientific balance. These were the professors and researchers Timmer admired growing up, people who influenced his education and helped shape his understanding of severe weather. Their presence in the documentary creates a fascinating dynamic that examines both the personal and professional sides of Timmer's career.
For his part, Timmer views criticism as part of the process. He believes anyone attempting something different is bound to face skepticism and explained that much of his motivation comes from proving what innovative approaches can accomplish. He pointed out that Team Dominator's research efforts are entirely self-funded, from the custom-built vehicles to the specialized sensors launched into tornadoes. Everything they do is rooted in a genuine passion for science and discovery. More importantly, he hopes future scientists and storm chasers understand that criticism isn't necessarily a sign they're on the wrong path. Sometimes it means they're exploring territory others haven't yet considered.
The documentary also highlights one of its strongest assets: the people surrounding Timmer. Cole described Team Dominator as a collection of wildly different personalities united by a singular obsession. Whether it's Mike Scantlin, Connor McCrorey, Edgar O'Neal, or Matt "Local Man" Spatol, every member brings a unique perspective to the group. Yet despite their differences, they're bonded by a shared desire to get closer to tornadoes, better understand them, and contribute meaningful scientific data. Cole found that dynamic endlessly fascinating during production because it demonstrates how passion can unite people who might otherwise have little in common.
Listening to the two men speak, it became clear that passion is ultimately what connects every aspect of Never Stop Chasing. Cole still talks about weather with the same curiosity that first drew him to meteorology decades ago. He recalled filming Timmer during Tornado Glory and seeing something in his eyes that has never faded. Even then, Cole recognized a level of obsession and dedication that would stay with him for life. More than twenty years later, watching Timmer pause a storm chase long enough to conduct an interview before heading right back into the field, it's hard not to think he was right.
On a personal level, this conversation resonated with me more than most. My son Danger loved tornadoes growing up. I lost track of how many nights I'd check on him after bedtime only to find one of Reed Timmer's videos playing while he slept. For years, Reed's work represented wonder, curiosity, and a fascination with nature's power for kids like Danger. Sitting down with him all these years later, it was impossible not to appreciate how many people he's inspired simply by sharing his passion with the world.
That's ultimately what makes Never Stop Chasing work so well. Beneath the jaw-dropping tornado footage, cutting-edge science, and death-defying intercepts is a deeply human story about people pursuing the thing they love despite the dangers, hardships, and sacrifices that come with it. Cole hopes audiences leave with a greater appreciation for storm chasers, the communities affected by severe weather, and the importance of weather awareness. Timmer hopes viewers feel as though they've stepped inside the Dominator and experienced a real tornado intercept firsthand while finding inspiration to follow their own passions. After spending time with both men, I'd say they've succeeded on both counts.
Jessie Hobson