Please do not copy/upload this site's content to social media or other web sites. Those copies have been a critical problem, seriously harming this site and my photography/storm chasing operation by diverting traffic, viewers, engagement and income. "Credit" and "exposure" does not benefit this site or my operation, rather those actions threaten my ability to cover my operating expenses. Please read my full explanation for this notice here.
Before continuing, check each box to agree to and acknowledge these two statements:
To my regular readers, I offer my apologies for this heavy-handed notice, but unfortunately it has become necessary.
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In September of 2025, my work is generating the most income it ever has in my career. Yet, I'm being forced to shut down my successul operation, against my will, due to one cause alone: 95% of that revenue is being stolen by piracy and copyright infringement. I've lost more than $1 million to copyright infringement in the last 15 years, and it's finally brought an end to my professional storm chasing operation. Do not be misled by the lies of infringers, anti-copyright activists and organized piracy cartels. This page is a detailed, evidenced account of my battle I had to undertake to just barely stay in business, and eventually could not overcome. It's a problem faced by all of my colleagues and most other creators in the field.
1997 brought my move to Charleston from Montgomery, West Virginia. At the time, I did not yet have a car of my own. As with previous years, my lightning photography was done entirely within the Charleston area.
July 23 - Charleston, WV: A bolt of lightning 1000 feet away hits a power pole along Virginia Street in downtown Charleston. [ Read more about this event ]
July 23, 1997
June 29, 1997
