The following biographical data is based on actual events. References have been provided when necessary. The biographical data was assembled and verified by Laura White. All images are protected by US Copyrights.

                                       Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all. Helen Keller

A synopsis......

Warren Faidley began his career in the late 1980's as the world's original storm chasing journalist. Since his initial interest in severe weather as a professional photographer and cinematographer, he has forged a unique career as a storm adventurer, author and lecturer. With over 20 years, hands-on experience of outwitting even the most violent of storms, he has become one of the nation's leading experts on safety and survival. His often dramatic images and footage are used around the world.

Unlike the majority of people portrayed on TV shows, who chase storms as seasonal, recreational or as a part-time pursuits, Warren is the real deal. He works year round covering a multitude of extreme weather events and natural disasters. Warren is one of the few individuals who intercepted and survived both an F-5 tornado and a category 5 Hurricane, the most extreme of storms.

You have likely seen Warren on news and feature programs like CBS's Early Show, Discovery, CNN, Geraldo, The Weather Channel and The O'Reilly Factor covering events like hurricanes and tornado outbreaks. Warren's print coverage is equally extensive, including National Geographic, Time and Life magazines, USA Today, Scientific American, The Wall Street Journal and many more. (As listed in the right side references column).

Warren is an advocate for severe weather safety education. He has lectured about his unique occupation and adventures world wide. His commercial clientele have included DuPont, Warner Bros., Johnson & Johnson, MTV, Sheryl Crow and NASCAR. Warren has received various awards for his work including a William Randolph Heart Journalism award and a Special Service Award from the United States Department of Commerce and the National Weather Service.

Warren is the CEO of Weatherstock Inc., a picture and footage stock agency, and Storm Risk International, a safety and survival consulting firm. Warren has a B.A. degree from the University of Arizona, a wildland firefighter and EMT-B certification and he is a pilot. He often serves as an emergency communications radio operator and spotter during severe weather and natural disasters.

In a hurry? An abridged biography without graphics can he found here.

Chase log
Age 2
Topeka, Kansas

My plans to escape the backyard and chase were foiled once again by mom. I like going outside when there is a storm, but my mom is always afraid of them. Watched the Wizard of Oz a few nights ago. I am fascinated by that darn tornado.

Chase log
Age 12
Tucson, Arizona

I spent the afternoon exploring the banks of a usually dry lake bed that was being filled by a monsoon flash flood.

Without warning, a large portion of the bank collapsed, sending me into turbulent, muddy waters. I bobbed up and down in the water, holding my breath until my lungs were crying for air. I even saw the little "death movie" of assorted life events flashing by like a slide show. This was death, I was certain. But just as I felt I would pass out⎯I was carried by the current to a shallow patch where I could stand and lift my head from the water. From then on I found drier, less deadly things to chase—at least for a while. (From Warren's new eBook Storm Chaser).

Chase log

Age 12
Tucson, Arizona

Today, I Conducted what I consider to be my very first chase.

After observing dust devils tear across a large vacant lot, I decided to ride my bike into the center of one. Gathering up my courage, I headed right into the core of a rather large and rapidly spinning "devil."

Once inside, I was astonished. Instead of encountering an expected wall of dust, the center was quite calm, illuminated by a weird orange hue. It was so hot, I could hardly breath. When I looked upwards, I could see the vortex spiraling away into the sky. Along the spinning walls of dust, I could see all kinds of debris, like tumbleweeds and paper trash. This only lasted a few seconds, as the edge eventually slammed into me, filling my clothes with dust and thorns.

My first chase had been a success!

Warren has had many "close calls" during his many years of storm chasing. In fact, the first question that many people ask Warren when they meet him is about "close calls." Warren is quick to point out that many "close calls" are not something to "brag about." Warren says, "In some cases my early close calls were the result of inexperience. Even now days, with a wealth of experience and technology there are still some events you simply cannot separate from the nature of pursuing storms."

Here a few of Warren's more unsettling and interesting moments:

September 2004, Juno Beach, Florida. (Hurricane Ivan). Warren narrowly averted "the grasp of death" along a boardwalk when a sinkhole suddenly opened under him. His escape was made by
         by quickly leaping onto a chain-link fence and "clinging on like a cat" -- as the ground beneath his
         feet fell into "an abyss."

May, 2000, Western Oklahoma: A pack of 'frothy-mouthed," wild dogs forced him onto the hood of his chase vehicle while he parked along a highway "taking a restroom break."

October, 1988, Tucson, Arizona: He is jolted by a near-by lightning strike and lifted off the ground. few

February, 1998, Ventura, California: A mudslide sends a "car-sized" boulder down a hill missing his car by few feet.

May, 2001, Littlefield, TX. Warren drives his "fortified" chase vehicle into an "obviously weak" tornado and thus become the first chaser to purposely maneuvered a "tornado vehicle" into a
         tornado.

April 1991, central Oklahoma: Two "crazy" farmers, "armed with rusty pitchforks," chased Warren from the side of the road, claiming he was "tearing up 'their' ditch." (A county road!)

Chase log

May, 1987
Saragosa, Texas

I have been working at the Tucson Citizen since graduating from the University of Arizona. I like the work, but I need to be my own boss and find a more exciting subject to photograph. I've been messing around with shooting lightning. I recently read a newspaper article about "tornado chasing."

May 22, 1987. My first tornado chase has turned into a baptism of fire. I ended up in southwestern Texas, in the small community of Saragosa. It was leveled by a strong tornado. Many dead, including a large number of children attending a graduation ceremony. This is a tragic, yet humbling experience.

Chase log

October 1988
Tucson, Arizona

I finally quit my pesky newspaper job. My big idea of becoming a full-time, storm chaser has been trying. The lack of exposure is not good for a photojournalist. No one knows who I am. I'm down to my last few dollars.

October 16: Just when things seemed impossible, I have been blessed with a magnificent stroke of good fortune, although it nearly took my life.

I was able to capture a lighting bolt hitting a light pole (in an oil and gasoline storage facility), striking less than 400 feet away. A secondary bolt nearly killed me. Life Magazine picked up the shot and billed me as a "storm chaser." I've been told this is the closest, highest quality image of a lighting strike even taken. This has resulted in a flood of calls from all over the world -- business people seeking all kinds of weather images!

This biography is under construction and new segments will be added soon. Please follow this link for additional biographical information.