H.E.R.V. (Hurricane Eyewall Research Vehicle) by Jon Bowser and Mike Theiss
 
"I never wish for a natural disaster to happen, but if it happens, I want to be there to document it and share with the world an important message of awareness and respect for nature -- Mike Theiss"
 
MISSION: Record wind speed and barometric pressure from INSIDE the eyewall and eye of a major Hurricane !
The H.E.R.V. (Hurricane Eyewall Research Vehicle) is a customized Chevy Tahoe truck designed to give "Ultimate Chase" the mobility and safety needed to document all major Hurricanes in the continental United States. This is the ultimate storm chasing vehicle that's sole mission is to document every aspect of a Hurricanes inner eyewall and calm eye. The H.E.R.V. is equip with the tools needed for capturing both video and weather data (Wind Speed, Wind Direction and Barometric Pressure) from the most extreme and powerful Hurricanes. The data collected will be submitted to The National Hurricane Center and other scientists to be used in research and final storm reports.
 
  Follow us on twitter for updates on the H.E.R.V. as well as other storm information and photography tips at: www.Twitter.com/MikeTheiss
     
  Follow us on Instagram to see photos of the H.E.R.V. and upcoming Hurricane missions. www.Instagram.com/ExtremeNature
     
  Learn more about Storm Chaser Mike Theiss. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mike_Theiss
     
  Full list of Television appearances, News interviews and stock video contributions: www.UltimateChase.com/Television_Interviews.htm
 
     
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Tropical Cyclone "Landfalls" Experienced or Documented:
Year: Name of Tropical Cyclone: My Location: Video Link:
1987 Hurricane Floyd Florida Keys N/A
1991 Tropical Storm Fabian Florida Keys N/A
1992 Hurricane Andrew South Florida Video - Photos
1994 Tropical Storm Gordon Florida Keys N/A
1998 Hurricane Georges Florida Keys N/A
1998 Hurricane Mitch Florida Keys N/A
1999 Hurricane Irene Florida Keys Video
2000 Hurricane Gordon Cedar Key, FL N/A
2001 Tropical Storm Allison Slidell, Louisiana N/A
2001 Tropical Storm Barry Panama City Beach, FL N/A
2001 Tropical Storm Gabrielle Ft. Myers Beach, FL N/A
2001 Hurricane Michelle Nassau, Bahamas N/A
2002 Hurricane Lili Cocodrie, Louisiana Video
2003 Tropical Storm Claudette Cancun, Mexico N/A
2003 Hurricane Isabel Atlantic Beach, NC N/A
2004 Hurricane Charley Charlotte Harbor, FL Video - Chase Blog
2004 Hurricane Frances Vero Beach, FL Video - Chase Blog
2004 Hurricane Ivan Pensacola Beach, FL Video - Chase Blog
2004 Hurricane Jeanne Jensen Beach, FL Video - Chase Blog
2005 Hurricane Dennis Landfall # 01 Key West, Florida Video - Chase Blog
2005 Hurricane Dennis Landfall # 02 Ft. Walton Beach, FL N/A
2005 Hurricane Emily Playa Del Carmen, Mexico Video - Chase Blog
2005 Hurricane Katrina Landfall # 01 Ft. Lauderdale Beach, Florida Video - Chase Blog
2005 Hurricane Katrina Landfall # 02 Gulfport, Mississippi Video - Chase Blog
2005 ** Theiss Device Deployment Hotel Lobby in Gulfport, Mississippi Video
2005 Hurricane Rita Landfall # 01 Florida Keys Chase Blog
2005 Hurricane Rita Landfall # 02 South-West Louisiana Video - Chase Blog
2005 Hurricane Wilma Miami Beach, Florida Video - Chase Blog
2007 Hurricane Dean Dominica - Lesser Antilles Video - Chase Blog
2007 Hurricane / Nor'easter Noel Peggy's Cove - Nova Scotia Video - Chase Blog
2008 Tropical Storm Fay South Florida / Mississippi N/A
2010 Hurricane Earl Cape Hatteras - North Carolina Video - Chase Blog
2010 Hurricane Igor Elbow Bay Resort - Bermuda Video - Chase Blog
2010 Tropical Storm Nicole South Florida N/A
2010 Hurricane Tomas Turks and Caicos Video - Chase Blog
2011 Hurricane Irene Nassau / Paradise Island, Bahamas Video - Chase Blog
2011 Hurricane Jova Tenacatitia / Pacific Coast, Mexico Video - Chase Blog
2012 Tropical Storm Isaac Key West, Florida Video
2012 Hurricane Isaac Gulfport Mississippi / Louisiana Video
2013 Tropical Storm Andrea Florida N/A
2013 Typhoon Usagi Hong Kong, China N/A
2016 Hurricane Hermine St. Marks, Florida N/A
2016 Hurricane Matthew Baracoa, Cuba N/A
2017 Hurricane Harvey Rockport, Texas N/A
2017 Hurricane Irma Key West, Florida Measured 120mph
2017 Hurricane Maria Fajardo, Puerto Rico N/A
2017 Hurricane Nate Biloxi, Mississippi N/A
2018 Tropical Storm Floyd Florida Keys N/A
2018 Hurricane Florence Wilmington Beach, NC Measured 87mph
2018 Hurricane Michael Panama City Beach, Florida Measured 128mph
2018 Hurricane Willa Teacapán, Mexico N/A
Total Tropical Cyclone "Landfalls" Experienced or Documented: 50
 
H.E.R.V. Corporate Sponsors:
 
  R.M. Young company provided the science mission with rugged wind anemometers, barometers and data loggers to collect the best and most accurate data during landfalling Hurricanes. During Hurricane Michael, these sensors mounted on the H.E.R.V. measured a max wind gust of 128mph in Panama City, FL.
http://www.YoungUSA.com   Special Thanks to Jon Bowser - Meteorological instrumentation and data acquisition expert and personal friend.
  Bullet liner is a state of the art protective coating that is sprayed on the entire exterior of the H.E.R.V. Bullet Liner’s permanent bond characteristics have the added benefit of fade resistance due to its superior UV protection which helps maintain its signature high gloss finish. Bullet Liner comes from over 30 years of experience.
http://www.BulletLiner.com
   
  Aluma Tower Company in Florida is sponsoring Ultimate Chase, Inc with their state of the art industrial tower set ups for future missions. Currently several projects being developed.
http://www.AlumaTower.com    
  Lightforce Performance Lighting has provided the H.E.R.V. with the strongest and brightest lights on the market to give the lighting needed to document Hurricanes that make landfall at night. Without lightforce performance lighting our Hurricane Mission would be in the dark !
http://www.lightforce.com/    
  Goodyear has provided the H.E.R.V. with the most rugged and durable tires on the market. These tires will help our mission to be able to drive over light debris when traveling through disaster zone.
http://www.Goodyear.com    
  Cottrell custom welding in Key Largo, Florida has helped and sponsored with the fabrication of the instrument rack and other important improvements made to the H.E.R.V. that require professional welding.
101801 Overseas Hwy. Key Largo, Florida    
  3M Ultra Safety film covers the windows in the H.E.R.V. The 42 micro layers make this tough and tear-resistant. This film delivers superior performance over standard polyester films in blast and impact events !!
Click Here to learn more    
Sundiver Snorkel Tours - Key Largo, Florida   Sundiver Snorkel Tours in Key Largo Florida sponsors the H.E.R.V. with numerous items needed to complete this mission including vehicle maintenance updates.
http://www.SnorkelingIsFun.com    
Ultimate Chase, Inc (Stock Video and Photos)   Ultimate Chase, Inc. sponsored the Chevy Tahoe vehicle that was converted into the "Ultimate Hurricane Tank" or the H.E.R.V.
http://www.UltimateChase.com    
 
Contact Information: Mike Theiss
 
Ultimate Chase, Inc.
P.O. Box 233
Key Largo, FL 33037
 
Phone: 305-394-6000
mike@ultimatechase.com
 
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