Three Storm Chasers Die In Oklahoma Tornado

Meteorologist Ginger Zee mourns her friend Tim Samaras, the storm chasing scientist killed by a monster tornado in Oklahoma.

"Tim Samaras was one of the most brilliant men I've ever met," Ginger said. She had worked with Samaras earlier in her career.

"He was concerned for everyone's safety," she stated.

Scientist Tim Samaras, his 24-year-old son, Paul, and a third storm-chaser, Carl Young, died when the massive tornado they were tracking across Oklahoma suddenly changed direction and caught them unaware.

The incredible power of the tornado killed Samaras and the other victims. Mangled wreckage was all that was left of Samaras' vehicle.

Samaras was a regular on the Discovery Channel and the National Geographic channel. He talked about the incredible power of the tornadoes he monitored.

"I have mixed feelings etc," Samaras said.

The deaths of the three men has stunned storm chasers across the U.S., especially since Samaras was renowned for his caution.

One colleague told The New York Times that Samaras was  "more apt than most to abandon a storm in the face of obvious danger."

A Discovery Channel program about tornadoes that aired Sunday ended with this tribute:

"In memory of Tim Samaras, Carl Young and Paul Samaras, who died Friday, May 31, 2013, doing what they love: chasing storms."

We spoke to Tim Samaras's brother, Jim.

"He loved what he was doing, he was unbelievably passionate," said Jim.

A tragic loss for science and a grim warning to storm chasers everywhere.