Threat of storms tonight??? (Austin, Spring: home, neighborhood, tornado)

[KStewart48]

I am new to the area and am a little freaked out by moderate risk of storms tonight and early tomorrow morning. Any news stations that I should watch that don't scare you? I find that some of the weather forecasters are a little too excited by bad weather and that translates to scaring viewers.

Any advice? I have an interior half-bath that I will go to if I need it. THANKS!

Kim

[tahoma14410]

Don't be freaked out...when you hear tornado warnings are around, then you should have some concern. I do understand somewhat...my brother came to Austin a number of years ago to visit from Portland, OR...never been to Texas previously, and never really experienced a Texas thunderstorm. Well, it was a 2-3 inch an hour kind of storm, thunder and lightening...the whole bit; needless to say, he was rather freaked out. Again, just go about your normal routine...I don't think these are supposed to be severe storms.

[Moonlady]

If you've never lived in an area prone to tornadic activity, I suggest you educate yourself somewhat. Most of us who have lived in the area tend to be probably more complacent than we should - but severe storms and tornados can be scary stuff. Here's a great website I found that should help: Tornado Safety

All of the local stations will have little tickers on the bottom and will interrupt broadcasts if a tornado is actually spotted. It's pretty rare though. Spring storms tend to be the most violent. I'd be more concerned about the hail. It can do some awful damage to cars and roofs.

[jread]

The storms here are nothing to get excited about. It rains hard for a few minutes and then it's over. Boring. In all honesty, you should be GLAD when it rains here as that means more water for the aquifer and more water for your lawn/plants that you get for free. Just wait until the summer when the rain completely stops and you're paying $200/month water bill just to keep your grass alive.

The only thing that should scare you about the weather in Austin is just how STUPID everyone gets on the roads when it's raining outside. It doesn't matter if it's just a tiny little shower, cars will instantly start running into one another.

[KStewart48]

Thank you all very much. The weather forecasters are scaring me so it helps to hear from real people who have been thru these storms.

Car is in the garage and I even pulled my glass patio table inside, just in case of hail.

Appreciate the advice! And yeah, no driving.

[jread]

Originally Posted by KStewart48

The weather forecasters are scaring me

Don't pay too much attention to them... they are just getting all worked up because they actually have something to talk about for once. Austin has no earthquakes, hurricanes, tsunamis, snow/blizzards, hardly any tornado activity (and if there is it's way outside the city), no volcanoes, no locust swarms... nothing. When the best you get is a strong thunderstorm every now and then, the weather guys are going to act like it's the biggest deal ever.

[Trainwreck20]

Anything that might blow over (or away) should be put up or 'anchored'. We have had some pretty heavy iron patio chairs blow over, so we turn 'em up-side-down before any big storms come through. If you have a grill cover, make sure it is on good and tight, too.

Really, the storms are not generally dangerous as long as you are sitting at home. Twisters are very unlikely to hit your location, and if they do, about all you can do is get in the closet or tub or whatever.

[jwb123]

The lightening can be scary, and dangerous though. A home the street over from me was struck last year and they still haven't been able to move back in. $90k in damage. Came right in their kid's window...

[Moonlady]

Originally Posted by jread

The only thing that should scare you about the weather in Austin is just how STUPID everyone gets on the roads when it's raining outside. It doesn't matter if it's just a tiny little shower, cars will instantly start running into one another.

Ain't that the truth! People turn into complete idiots at the slightest rain shower. I've never seen anything like it anywhere else.

[jread]

Originally Posted by Jenbar

The lightening can be scary, and dangerous though. A home the street over from me was struck last year and they still haven't been able to move back in. $90k in damage. Came right in their kid's window...

That happened last Spring in my neighborhood as well. The funny thing is that the lightning showed up after the storm was over. It blew through and rained like hell for about 20-minutes, then stopped completely. After that lighting bolts were flashing here and there for another 30-minutes or so and one of them hit the roof of a house. The whole thing went up in flames instantly (luckily the owners were out of town).