Storm Chasers Star Killed in Tornado

Three veteran storm chasers were among the 10 people killed Friday night when a violent tornado barreled into the Oklahoma City metro area. Jim Samaras told the AP today that his brother Tim Samaras was killed. Tim Samaras' son, Paul Samaras, and another chaser, Carl Young, also died. Tim Samaras had appeared on the Discovery Channel's Storm Chasers show until last year.

The Storm Prediction Center in Norman, Oklahoma, said the men were involved in tornado research. They traveled the Great Plains in search of bad weather, hoping to warn people ahead of tornadoes and to help meteorologists understand the natural disasters. "They put themselves in harm's way so that they can educate the public about the destructive power of these storms," the county Undersheriff said. The Discovery Channel plans to dedicate a show tonight to the three men, capping the broadcast with a tribute that will read: "In memory of Tim Samaras, Carl Young and Paul Samaras who died Friday, May 31st doing what they love, chasing storms." (More storm chasers stories.)