Tornadoes...

[edesign]

Originally Posted by RedSoxFanGoingWest

Actually, someone said that there was a better chance of getting hit by a bus than actually SEEING a tornado and I mentioned the tornado in Parker and that I had pics.

I don't recall ever saying anything about the frequency of tornadoes. And for me, it is the least of my concerns living in CO or anywhere for that matter.

Tell the folks in Windsor that they are "generally quite weak."

Yes and people have been hit by busses before too, it doesn't mean it can not happen. I wasn't dogging on you, I was asking a serious question which you did not answer. So again I ask, how many tornados have you seen since living here? I'm personally curious as I am new to the area but am not afraid of them. We had them all the time around where I used to live but the chances of actually being affected were slim.

As for the Windsor folks...freak stuff happens, hell, there have been tornados in Alaska

Colorado Tornadoes

Compared with other States, Colorado ranks number 9 for frequency of Tornadoes, 38 for number of deaths, 31 for injuries and 30 for cost of damages. When we compare these statistics to other States by the frequency per square mile, Colorado ranks, number 28 for the frequency of tornadoes, number 38 for fatalities, number 37 for injuries per area and number 37 for costs per area. Based on data from 1950 - 1995.

It also goes on to say that a whole TWO fatalities between 1950 and 1995. Excrement happens in every state, if you're in the wrong place at the wrong time it sucks for you...but hardly anything to consider "normal". Also depends on what the tornado hits...if you live in a trailer you're probably screwed, even with a weak tornado.

Here's another deadly tornado that hit in Holly, CO...
Top Stories : Fatal tornado’s strength unusual for Colorado ,officials,tornado,holly - www.gazette.com

The article states it was the first fatal tornado since 1960 and only the second F3 in Colorado since 1995 (12 year time span). The Windsor one would be considered a fluke due to the rarity of such strong tornados. Hell, look at the 2005 hurricane season...I lived in Louisiana at the time and people who had lived there for 40+ years even said it was a fluke. Could it happen again? Sure...it did last year when Gustav and Ike hit almost back to back. But again...flukes.

Again, don't get me wrong I'm not trying to argue with you or make you look bad. Quite the contrary, I'm just stating that your reference to Windor was a FLUKE and a weak argument at best. A terrible fluke...but a fluke none-the-less.

[Mike from back east]

In the past FIFTY years, only THREE people in Colorado were killed by tornado activity, one of the LOWEST rates in the nation, far lower than in KS, where the OP is considering moving. There are tons more Tornadoes all over KS than in CO.

[denverian]

Here's an F-5 that hit downtown earlier this year - horrible, just horrible. Don't move to Denver our you'll suffer the same fate as the poor stick man in the air!

[DenverAztec]

[denverian]

BTW, if anyone is envious of my PhotoShop abilities, I'm a freelance teacher on the side

[the3Ds]

After living in Florida and buying things for our emergency kit, we just took that same stuff (flashlights, an all-weather radio, water, etc) and put it in our basement under the stairs. While the chances of a tornado in Denver metro are probably slim, there is always a chance and it doesn't hurt to be prepared.

The other thing I recommend as a newbie myself is to familiarize yourself with a map of Colorado. We put one up that shows the counties in the same spot with our emergency supplies.

When tornado season arrives, there will be all kinds of "Emergency Broadcast Announcements" that will break into your regular television time or radio show. It helps to know where the counties are if nothing else than to put your mind at ease.

Last year (during the DNC), a tornado touched down near Parker. There was an emergency broadcast announcement and my heart dropped when they said it was for Arapahoe and Douglas Counties. We went outside on our deck and could see it pretty clearly. Fortunately, Arapahoe is a large, very long (horizontally) county and we weren't in danger, but that's just the risk you take living in Colorado. Just like hurricanes which are treated totally casually by most in Florida, and earthquakes in California, a tornado is something to inform yourself about but not necessarily to alter your moving plans over.

[Mike from back east]

Originally Posted by denverian

BTW, if anyone is envious of my PhotoShop abilities, I'm a freelance teacher on the side

That picture simply "blows" doesn't it....