Question about tornadoes (Knoxville: apartment, hotel, to buy)

[kcnative]

You guys seem to have not kept reading:

Not that tornadoes don't happen, but the large number and deaths related to them just don't happen very often.

Tornadoes are going to happen...period. I'm talking about the large number of tornadoes, big tornadoes, and large number of deaths resulting from them. It doesn't happen here very often. It's been 50-75 years since a storm like Tues night has happened here.

Yes, there are tornadoes...but again, you're much more likely to get killed in your car. Don't worry about them. Be prepared when they do come and chances are you'll be just fine, even if by small chance it does do damage to your house.

[kcnative]

Originally Posted by Taterhead

I am scared to move there now, haven't crossed it off the list, but now We just don't know for sure.

Debbie

Seriously...don't let it affect where you move...this is just stupid, not to be rude.

Do you also have apprehension when driving in a car? Do you not walk on grass, for fear of getting killed by a poisonous snake? Do you not swim in the ocean, for fear of getting eaten by a shark? Do you not go outside when it rains, for fear of getting struck by lightning?

Reminds me of Rainman...wouldn't go on a plane because that airline had had an accident before.

Life's too short to worry about that kind of stuff. Live your life.

[mpsouth]

I believe Researchin was asking for advice about what to do when it appears that a tornado is imminent.

1.) As a rule, tornadoes travel southwest to northeast. If you are in your home, get into an interior room on the lowest floor in the northeast part of the house.

2.) If you are in your car, DO NOT TRY TO OUTRUN A TORNADO. Instead, drive perpendicular to the direction it is heading.

I hope and pray that you never, ever have to do either of the above. I lived in Texas for 40 years, experiencing hundreds of storm watches and dozens of storm warnings and not once did I have to hide. Don't let it get you down. I live in California now and I'm more scared of earthquakes. Unlike tornadoes, those things will sneak up on you.

[Researchin]

Thank you MPsouth. I didn't mean to cause so much emotional discussion. For us, we are not afraid to move down to the area, we just have never experienced tornadoes nor lived in an area that really does. We are just trying to learn from others the best way to handle a tornado warning. Our children are little (nearly 3 and 1) and I want to make sure if we move that we have a plan.
Thanks for all of the suggestions!

[tcox]

My family left Florida to escape the constant threat of hurricanes, and have found our niche in AZ. It seems to be a good choice, for those who can withstand the heat. In our area, dust storms and flooding are the worst Mother Nature dishes out.
My question for you all is, after the tornadoes have left their path of destruction, how do people go about finding the status of their families and friends in neighboring areas, especially the most rural areas that aren't listed in the news reports?
My stepson has not been responding to my husband's emails for the past few days, which is unusual. Unfortunately, his mother will not provide a phone number to call, so we only have the address and email address. I have been searching the internet, but cannot verify if any part of Gainesville was affected. If they had to evacuate, we don't know how to locate them or verify their safety. Any suggestions from those of you that have experienced through this?

[alleycat]

Originally Posted by tcox

My family left Florida to escape the constant threat of hurricanes, and have found our niche in AZ. It seems to be a good choice, for those who can withstand the heat. In our area, dust storms and flooding are the worst Mother Nature dishes out.
My question for you all is, after the tornadoes have left their path of destruction, how do people go about finding the status of their families and friends in neighboring areas, especially the most rural areas that aren't listed in the news reports?
My stepson has not been responding to my husband's emails for the past few days, which is unusual. Unfortunately, his mother will not provide a phone number to call, so we only have the address and email address. I have been searching the internet, but cannot verify if any part of Gainesville was affected. If they had to evacuate, we don't know how to locate them or verify their safety. Any suggestions from those of you that have experienced through this?

Just to ease your worries a little, there were no deaths reported in Tipton County (and only a few homes damaged). It could be that electric power was affected in that area, and that he can't use his computer.

[tcox]

Thank you, Alleycat. We're hoping that's the case. He lives in a mobile home, so of course, we were especially concerned. I think my next path will be to check with the local schools and the power company for that area.

[alleycat]

Yes, there were two mobile homes damaged in Tipton County. But, again, there were no deaths reported. Things can be replaced.

You don't even have a phone number (work or home) for the boy's mother?

[bobtn]

Researchin, Interior room is fine 99% of time, as most here are either F1s or F2s.

Plus, prime season is rather short here.

This was the worst storm in fatalities in Tn in 75 years.

[tcox]

Believe it or not, we don't have a phone number. My stepson is 16 now, and it's been this way since he was about 2 years old! She's whisked him off to New York, Alaska (military), Nebraska, Missouri, back to Florida several times, and now Tennessee. Sometimes we get a phone #, but currently don't have one.
I search the address he gave us, which is right off Hwy 56, but it doesn't appear to be in a mobile home/trailer park. I've even tried searching for him on Classmates.com, in several of the high schools in that area, but no luck. I do hope he's okay and will make an attempt to contact his dad soon. We are all still very concerned.