Shivangi Sinha
On the morning of May 22, 2011, Mac Wright woke up to a clear blue sky in Joplin, Missouri. However, his passion for weather and storm chasing quickly kicked in when he spotted a dark cloud looming in the distance. Determined to get a closer look, he set out with a few friends. As they approached, Mac soon realized the storm was far more severe than he had imagined. The experience that followed was indescribable. In Netflix’s ‘The Twister: Caught in the Storm,’ Mac recounted the events of that fateful day, sharing his harrowing story of surviving one of the most deadly tornadoes in history.
Mac Wright Had Hoped to Chase a Tornado, But He Ended Up Having to Quickly Run Away From it
On the morning of May 22, 2011, Mac Wright woke up feeling hungover after attending a party the night before. Planning for a quiet and uneventful day, he stepped outside to a clear blue sky. However, a massive black cloud looming in the distance quickly caught his attention. After checking the weather reports, he learned that a tornado was forming. His lifelong fascination with storm chasing kicked in, and despite the danger, he decided to get a closer look. Accompanied by his then-girlfriend, Kaylee Parker, and her brother, Eric Parker, Mac jumped into his car and drove toward the ominous clouds, eager to witness the storm firsthand.
As Mac approached the storm, he was struck by its immense size — it was unlike anything he had ever witnessed, and he could not even see the peak. The static in the air grew so intense that their hair stood on end, and an eerie silence settled around them. He recalled the unsettling moment when the rain abruptly stopped, and the dark cloud shifted directly in front of them. Realizing the severity of the situation, he quickly urged Kaylee and Eric to get back in the car and search for shelter. As they drove, the terrifying realization set in — they were no longer the ones chasing the storm; the storm was now chasing them.
They hurried into a nearby store where people were going about their day, seemingly unaware of the impending danger. Mac, Kaylee, and Eric urgently warned everyone to find shelter. The three of them huddled together as the tornado swept over them. Mac described the terrifying scene — shards of glass, pieces of furniture, and debris flying in all directions as he instinctively shielded his face. Then, in an eerie moment of calm, everything went silent. Looking up, he saw the eye of the tornado directly above them. But as quickly as it had stilled, the chaos resumed, and he felt the immense force nearly lift him off the ground. Clinging tightly to each other, the trio managed to endure the storm and emerged without any serious injuries.
Mac Wright is Immensely Happy in His Role as a Father Today
Mac has described the tornado as one of the most terrifying experiences of his life, one that deeply changed him. While he and Kaylee Parker are no longer together, they remain friends and are connected by the unforgettable experience they shared. Mac continues to live in Joplin, Missouri, and is a proud father to a beautiful daughter, about whom he frequently gushes. His passion for music has endured, and he actively pursues it to this day.
In his personal life, he is in a loving and stable relationship with Shelby Bolton. She moved from Smith Centre, Kansas, to Joplin to be with him, and together, they are building a life filled with happiness. Though his storm-chasing days seem to be behind him, the adventurous spirit of his younger self lives on. Mac often channels that energy into activities like skateboarding and other hobbies that keep him active and engaged. It’s heartwarming to see him surrounded by loved ones and doing what brings him joy.
Read More: Chad Crilley: Where is the Joplin Meteorologist Now?
