Couple Gets Engaged While Chasing A Tornado In Oklahoma

Typically, when someone proposes, it's planned as a surprise. Imagine the shock that Becky Patel had when one moment, her and her now fiance, Matt Michell, were chasing a tornado. The next: Michell was on one knee and asking for her hand in marriage.

The tornado in Arnett, Oklahoma on May 18, 2025 was one of several spawned from an outbreak. The outbreak incidentally caused damage across 12 states, including Oklahoma. This particular photogenic tornado spun in the countryside and fortunately did little damage to the area.

Despite the fact the Patel and Michell are out-of-town storm chasers, they will always have an incredible engagement story from right here in Oklahoma.

Tornado captured in the background of a surprise proposal in Oklahoma.

On May 18, 2025, Becky Patel and Matt Michell were following the storm that produced the EF2 tornado and another EF1 tornado near Arnett, Oklahoma. They started their chase in Alva, Oklahoma and found themselves outside of Arnett.

While documenting the tornado, friend Chris Gullikson captured a video of Michell dropping to one knee in front of Patel with the tornado raging in the background. Patel recounted the novelty of the experience, saying she felt like "the luckiest girl in the world."

Patel told us about how she and Michell met. Let's just say - good timing seems to be a reoccuring theme for this couple.

Timing is everything - both for storm chasing and adorable relationships.

"Matt’s been chasing for about six years working as a guide for Tempest Tours, last year I joined a tour and that’s where we met," she said. "I was only supposed to chase for 2 weeks but Matt asked me to stick around with him and chase with him for an extra week, so I did!"

Since they've met, they've been able to chase several storms together, including a "great tornado in Wyoming last year," she said.

Michell, originally from Illinois, and Patel, from Canada, are still reeling from the adrenaline of the moment and have not yet planned where they will host their wedding. But at least they have the Arnett tornado to thank for an unforgettable engagement.