Man captures dangerous up-close encounter with deadly Illinois tornado

ROCHELLE, IL (WITI) -- This is what meteorologists say you SHOULD NEVER DO! A driver traveling through Rochelle, Illinois, came about as close as you can possibly get to a tornado without being swept up in its deadly path.

Posted on YouTube by Aaron Rooney, a man named "Sam S." was driving on Interstate 39 Thursday evening, April 9th, when he came upon the massive tornado barreling in his direction.

Sam managed to capture the twister on a cell phone video, perhaps a couple of hundred feet away. And according to the video description, he is not a professional stormchaser!

According to FOX6 News Meteorologist Tom Wachs, this is a prime example of what NOT TO DO during a tornado. Wachs warns that it is never a good idea to go under an overpass during a tornado, let alone get as close as this man did capturing the video.

"Overpasses act as wind tunnels, so the wind will increase underneath them putting you at a greater danger," said Wachs.

Meteorologist Tom Wachs says most tornadoes only move at 25-35mph and your car can go faster than that. So the best bet is to go in the opposite direction of the tornado and get away from it.

If you can't outrun the storm, GET INTO A DITCH -- this is a last resort option, but it is better than being in your car because the tornado can toss your vehicle.

"We only want trained weather spotters out there," said Wachs.

The best solution is to not be on the road at all when a tornado warning is in effect. Get into a basement, or the lowest level of your home.

Once again, this man is extremely lucky to have survived. DO NOT TRY THIS!