Pair blown away by how tornado pic went viral

It started out as a sunny day, perfect to do chores around the house.

A whirlwind swept past. Minutes later animal nutritionist Theunis Wessels, 43, found himself mowing the lawn against the backdrop of a raging tornado.

That moment, captured in a photograph, has gone viral across the globe. Wessels and his wife Cecilia, who took the shot, became overnight celebrities.

It was the first time, after being in Canada for seven years, they had seen a tornado.

Speaking to TimesLIVE from Alberta yesterday, the couple said they were flabbergasted by all the attention the photograph had received.

• Theunis Wessels on why he was mowing the lawn during a tornado

The picture was sent to Theunis's in-laws in South Africa. Soon it was being shared countless times on social media after it was reposted by a friend, who is an avid storm-chaser in Canada.

"It was clear skies just before I started to mow the lawn. It was about 28C outside, so this whirlwind comes through. In a few minutes it formed a tornado. I couldn't believe it," he said.

Cecilia, a swimming instructor, said: "When the first person called to have an interview with him he said: 'No, thank you.' By Sunday, when we were still being phoned for interviews, he asked: 'Are we still doing this?'

"We cannot believe how this has taken off," said Cecilia.

"That was the first time we had seen a tornado," he said.

• It takes more than a tornado to stop some South African men from mowing their lawns

Theunis attended a seminar a couple of months ago presented by storm-chasers who explained what to look out for, how to be safe during a storm and what the danger signs are. He just followed what he had learnt.

He was not in any danger. The storm was 5km away.

His wife said that many people had suggested the photograph was fake. No, she said, it was 100% authentic.

"I have had people testing to see whether the photo is real or not, looking at whether everything is lining up as it should. A couple of people have come back to me over and again asking whether the photo is real or not," Cecilia said.

TimesLIVE Facebook users also weighed in.

Maretha van Zyl Marziale said: "It will cause a tornado the day my husband decides to mow the lawn."

Andile KaMthembu quipped: "Lol the tornado should have been a good excuse not to mow the lawn."

Chirped Aubrey Mmanare Mabala: "For a married man mowing a lawn is a therapy session."

- TMG Digital/TimesLIVE