Three veteran storm chasers were among the 10 people killed when a violent tornado barreled into the Oklahoma City metro area.

A tribute to the 3 spotters who lost their lives
A tribute to the 3 spotters who lost their lives chasing tornadoes on Friday in Oklahoma (Facebook)
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Jim Samaras says his brother Tim was killed. Tim Samaras' son, Paul, and another chaser, Carl Young, also died.

The men were from Colorado but traveled the Great Plains in search of bad weather.

The three died Friday night near El Reno when an EF3 tornado with winds up to 165 mph hit the Oklahoma City area during rush hour.

Tim Samaras, a researcher, appeared on the Discovery Channel's "Storm Chasers" show until last year. He also contributed to the National Geographic Society.

Discovery Channel spokeswoman Laurie Goldberg says "We are deeply saddened by the loss of Tim Samaras his son Paul and their colleague Carl Young. Our thoughts and prayers go out to their families."

Jim Cantore, a Weather Channel meteorologist, tweeted Sunday that meteorologists are in mourning. Cantore says "This is a very sad day for the meteorological community and the families of our friends lost. Tim Samaras was a pioneer and great man."

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