As a storm brews, a group of high school friends find themselves in a car together. When the weather worsens, they spot an approaching tornado. Despite a girl's plea to leave, a boy captures the moment on camera, stepping out of the vehicle. He rejoins the others, but not before the tornado lifts their car, tragically claiming their lives.
In Silverton, Oklahoma, the senior class of the local high school prepares for graduation. Vice-Principal Gary Fuller asks his sons, Trey and Donnie, to record farewell messages for a time capsule to be opened in 25 years. Meanwhile, Pete, an experienced storm chaser, aims to capture tornado footage with his reinforced vehicle, Titus, but has yet to succeed this season. Learning of an intense storm front, he and his team head to Silverton, hoping to witness and document tornados. Arriving, they discover the targeted storm cell has dissipated, disappointing Pete. However, the cell unexpectedly intensifies, bringing hail and a tornado. While filming, the funnel changes course towards the school.
During commencement, students enjoy the ceremony until the weather turns恶劣. Tornado sirens blare, and faculty guide the students inside the school. Post-tornado, shaken survivors survey the wreckage as Gary searches for his oldest son, trapped in a collapsed paper mill with a friend. Elsewhere, Pete's team witnesses a tornado form, destroying buildings just as Gary and Trey arrive. Only Gary and meteorologist Allison Stone narrowly avoid death before the tornado dissipates. Grateful, Gary convinces the team to assist him in reaching the mill. En route, more unpredictable tornados strike, engulfing the group and causing chaos, including the loss of Jacob, a cameraman. This incident fuels tensions between Pete and his team, questioning his priorities - data collection or crew safety.
After retrieving their vehicles, Allison joins Gary to continue to the mill. Inside, the trapped students, facing flooding and injuries, leave heartfelt messages for their loved ones. Just in time, Gary and Allison rescue them. Above Silverton, multiple tornadoes merge into an immense EF5, threatening to devastate the town. The townsfolk seek refuge at the school, unaware of its insufficient shelter. Pete's team realizes the danger and rushes to warn the community, urging evacuation. Amidst the chaos, a school bus and few cars become stranded by a fallen power line.
Desperate for shelter, the chasers and evacuees take cover in a storm drain. Debris from the tornado compromises the structure. Pete, sacrificing himself for the greater good, hands over his research drives and exits the shelter to secure the storm grate with Titus' weight, cables, and anchors. Unfortunately, Titus proves insufficient against the force of the tornado and is lifted away. Witnessing the tornado's core through Titus' camera, Pete meets his demise. The EF5 eventually weakens.
Post-storm, the town starts rebuilding, and Gary's sons finish their time capsule video. Interviewees share newfound gratitude for life and hope.
《不惧风暴》以其多角度的DV拍摄手法试图营造真实感,但在风格和特效之间未能找到平衡,导致整体效果不尽如人意,尽管尝试讽刺社会对技术设备的过度依赖,并致敬了《科洛弗档案》的成功,但影片在风格纯度、情感深度及视觉冲击力方面仍有提升空间,最终只能被称为一部中规中矩的伪大片。