Huntsville Al weather (Meridianville, Hazel Green: real estate, neighborhoods, tornado)

[ebinca]

Another Bay Area Californian here and we are DEFINATELY looking to relocate. Huntsville sounds almost too good to be true. However, my husband and I are concerned about the weather.(Ha. Ha. comming from earthquake country!) Anyone know much about the hurricanes and tornados? How often and how hard is this particular area subjected to severe storms? Thanks.

[harry chickpea]

A few years back I was reading about a church near Huntsville that had been hit five times by tornados. If you avoid it you may be fine. :-)

Seriously, there are some paths that seem to help weather patterns develop into tornados, and other land features that mitigate them. If you are concerned, there are maps showing the tracks of past tornados. Even if you live in one of the higher risk areas, your chances of being hit are still slim, since most tornados have a limited swath of destruction.

[England to USA]

We do get several tornado warnings during the season but the early warning systems they have here are great and if they do touch down we get very few casualties. In my opinion, the worse time here is July and August when it can be so humid you just don't want to go out. But the payback for that is the relatively mild Winters.

[ebinca]

Thanks so much for your posts. Do you know where one might find a map of the "higher-risk" areas or maybe where these areas are? It would be just my luck to fall in love with a piece of property that was smack in the middle of a tornado path ? Thanks again!

[harry chickpea]

I don't know offhand who makes the maps. I know I've seen them on tv and in newspapers. I guess NOAA would be a good place to start, or do a web search on tornado maps.

[duncan st clair]

"Do you know where one might find a map of the "higher-risk" areas "http://www.ersys.com/index.htm

[Muhnay]

I was stationed at Red Stone there in Huntsville, while there we were hit twice by tornado's. Digging though rubble and watching bull dozers scoop up debries, and watching for bodies to fall, was a tough job. Being From West Texas I never experianced a tornado before. As for the weather I recall light drizzels most mornings and evenings, with hot humid days. and cool nights.

I wonder if the city is still split into white and black neiborhoods.

[HuntsvilleNative]

Hi - I am a Huntsville native of over forty-five years. We have some of the best early warning weather sirens and radar available in the nation. I am also a licensee in alabama real estate - So I believe I know North Alabama area pretty well. We are almost too good to be true - but it realy is a great area to live with friendly people who know how to stick together and help each other out. The individual who responded about the rubble from the tornadoes was probably working with a friend of mine who led the Army's task force here during September 15, 1989 tornado. I worked at a local hospital that evening. It was tough, but the human spirit of our community rose quickly to the challenge and bonded together. Let me know if I can help your family in any way.

[jetjockey75]

Originally Posted by ebinca

Thanks so much for your posts. Do you know where one might find a map of the "higher-risk" areas or maybe where these areas are? It would be just my luck to fall in love with a piece of property that was smack in the middle of a tornado path ? Thanks again!

I believe the 1989 tornado that others have referred to hit south Huntsville. To the best of my knowledge, the last couple of tornadoes in the area have been north of Huntsville, around Meridianville and Hazel Green. If you find a piece of property you like, and you build a house, you can easily have a "safe room" installed. That, coupled with the great early warning systems, should ensure your safety.

[ebinca]

What great responses. Thanks everyone. After researching your references, I am feeling more at ease in moving this direction. However, Muhnay's question about the black and white neighborhoods has thrown me a bit. Are there still segregated neighborhoods? Ahhh! Is racism really still an issue in this seemingly educated society?