Real-Life Twister Chasers Go Viral, Then Help Survivors (Exclusive) [Video]

Ryan Hall did not anticipate being a “YouTube Weatherman” when he first started creating content online, but now he is putting his lifelong fascination with weather to good use.

One year ago, Ryan started his Y’all Squad nonprofit, leading a group of storm chasers who track down twisters and other severe weather, while also giving back to the impacted communities. 

The 30 year old broadcasts from his headquarters in Kentucky while contracted chasers pursue the storm on the ground. His YouTube livestreams regularly reach millions of viewers, emphasizing safety first and encouraging people to donate whatever they can to help victims rebuild. 

“We kind of realized it would be the responsible thing to do,” he tells PEOPLE in this week’s issue.

Ryan was drawn to the science of weather at an early age. On Memorial Day weekend in 2004, when he was just 10 years old, Ryan found …