Monday, May 20th 2024, 6:10 pm
“We had an idea it was going to be a bad day, but we didn’t really expect it to be that bad,” News 9 storm tracker Val Castor said Monday.
As severe weather rolled across the Oklahoma City metro Sunday night, many viewers were concerned about News 9 Storm Trackers Val and Amy Castor after a crash on Interstate 40 near Interstate 44. Their chase truck crashed into the center median, tipping on its passenger side.
The husband-wife storm-tracking team escaped with only a small scratch between the two of them and in fact, Val and Amy said they plan to be back out tracking severe weather Tuesday.
“Just the outpouring, I could not believe how many people who’ve called and sent messages to us concerned about whether or not we are ok,” Val said.
The Castors had captured five tornadoes in Western Oklahoma Sunday, with the system moving into the metro.
“We are heading east on Interstate 40 and all of a sudden something happened in the back of the truck,” Val said. “We hit the wall, we tipped over onto the right side and then we came to a stop.”
Val said good Samaritans rushed to their vehicle to help them escape the driver’s side door. He said he did not get their name but was grateful for their help in the pouring rain.
“I started thinking, ‘Is there a semi coming behind us, are we going get plowed into by another vehicle?’” Val said. “ I got my seatbelt off and I opened the door and pushed up on the driver's side door.”
Val and Amy are active at their Bible Baptist Church in Stillwater. They credit their Christian faith with keeping them safe in the middle of Sunday’s storm.
“God was watching out for us, there’s no doubt about it,” Val said. “The good lord was watching over us that night because we came out of there with one cut, I believe one small cut. That’s it.”
Sunday night’s crash was in a back-up vehicle while the Castor’s chase truck was in the shop.
Val picked up his primary truck Monday afternoon and plans to be out tracking severe weather again Tuesday to keep Oklahomans safe and informed.
“To the people that have been praying for us, I say thank you,” Val said. “Second of all keep it up because we need it and don’t only pray for us, but pray for the other storm trackers as well.”
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