[_redbird_]

Originally Posted by BornToFly

I've actually had an insane fear of twisters since I was really young and first learned about them. ,<<portions clipped by redbird>>

I have a feeling I'm going to be laughed at down there during the first few storms...

I would heed my insane fear~ it might save your life. Just remember to watch the news, they love severe weather, especially Gary England.

I worked in OKC during the time one hit the GM plant and sort of hop skipped along its' merry way in a NE direction. I went to a DOC facility that took a direct hit because we had not heard from one of the employees there. (the old Clara Waters CCC off of I-35)

Although the tornado path was farily narrow, the damage it left was mind-boggling. I think more than a few of the inmates "got religion" that night!


PIC of OKC GM plant damaged by 03 tornado.






http://www.local2209.org/default100c.asp

[colleeng47]

Originally Posted by BornToFly

I have a feeling I'm going to be laughed at down there during the first few storms...

No one's going to laugh at you. Tornadoes are serious business, but as long as you're prepared and aware, you should be fine. My daughter is in Mustang High School and when we had tornado warnings back in February, they all went to the school's shelter. Girls who were born and raised here were terrified and crying. My daughter (we're only here a little over a year) offered to hold the door for students entering the shelter so she could still see the sky. Everyone's reactions to the threat is different. Just make a plan ahead of time as to what you will do wherever you are, keep your eye on the sky, and LISTEN TO GARY ENGLAND. You'll be fine.

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by MovingCrossCountry

My husband and I are thinking of relocating to cheaper state. I am looking at Oklahoma but am terrified of the twisters. Are they really as bad/common as they seem?

They are just like anything else, you learn to live with them. You just make sure that you know what is going on with the weather and have a plan what to do "in case". Personally, I'd take a twister over an earthquake any day. LOL

20yrsinBranson

[BornToFly]

Originally Posted by 20yrsinBranson

They are just like anything else, you learn to live with them. You just make sure that you know what is going on with the weather and have a plan what to do "in case". Personally, I'd take a twister over an earthquake any day. LOL

20yrsinBranson

Actually, as afraid as I am of twisters, I agree with you! At least you have a warning and a chance of getting away from a twister, unlike with an earthquake.

Colleen and redbird, I really appreciate your responses!

[BornToFly]

I am kind of worried about living in an apartment there, but I haven't been able to find houses for rent at all in the Moore/Norman area... I think I'd pay the extra money to rent a house just to have a storm shelter or safe room, since I've heard most apartment complexes don't have a storm shelter. (though maybe I've been misinformed) I found it shocking actually, and wondered why they wouldn't at least reinforce a common area in each building at... like hallways on the first floor? That's actually what started worrying me, because I'd prefer to be underground if at all possible during a twister, or at least feel secure (unlike the feeling of sitting in a bathtub waiting for it to tear the rest of the place apart, and possibly most or all of the bathroom, too)

Does anyone know of any apartment complexes somewhere between Norman and OKC that DO have storm shelters or "safe rooms"?

[Jammie]

Born, I don't have a specific answer to your question about apartments, but since you aren't coming from tornado alley, I don't know if you know this.

Cities and towns have specific buildings that you can go to if there are tornado warnings. They open them 24/7 if there is a threat. You'll want to be sure to find out where your nearest shelter is, drive to it a couple times since you won't be familiar with the area. Find out if they accept pets and if they don't, keep searching for a shelter near you that does. (In case you have pets) Pack a bag that you can grab as you go out the door. Don't dawdle around once there's a warning, but don't panic. Just get moving.

We don't just go through tornado season by ourselves. Doppler Radar is pretty advanced and Oklahoma has a fabulous Weather Center. The Emergency Management Directors are out and about if a threat is present right along with the police dept. Trained storm spotters are out and about, too so warnings are issued as soon as possible. You may even want to take a class in the springtime. You can learn about the clouds and what to watch for and what to fear. They're free to the public.

A tornado WATCH is issued if weather conditions are favorable for a tornado. A tornado WARNING means to get to shelter NOW because a tornado has been spotted in your area. Very basic info, I know, but for someone who hasn't lived with tornadoes, just some info for you.

And no one will laugh at you. Tornadoes are very powerful and destructive, but once you have a plan in place, you'll feel much better.

I'm leaving my post as I wrote it, but sorry~I just started reading backwards and see you've already got some of this info.

[BornToFly]

Thanks Jammie I didn't realize there might be a shelter I could drive to! I'll definitely want to have a thorough plan and be prepared, otherwise I'll drive myself batty with worrying anytime there's a storm, so I'll add that to my list of things to locate right away once I'm down there. I'll be bringing my GPS so I shouldn't have too much of a problem finding it, but I don't like to rely completely on technology, since sometimes it doesn't work when you need it most, so I like your idea of driving there a few times! Thanks again!

Oh, and are the weather radios pretty easy to find there? I haven't ever seen any in Maine, I guess because there's just not much need for them, but I'd like to get one when I move.

I just noticed your location says SD, Jammie, but can anyone else answer this please?

[_redbird_]

Originally Posted by BornToFly

Oh, and are the weather radios pretty easy to find there? I haven't ever seen any in Maine, I guess because there's just not much need for them, but I'd like to get one when I move.

Oh yeah, radio shack, wallyworld and other places carry them.

[Jammie]

Originally Posted by BornToFly

Thanks Jammie I didn't realize there might be a shelter I could drive to! I'll definitely want to have a thorough plan and be prepared, otherwise I'll drive myself batty with worrying anytime there's a storm, so I'll add that to my list of things to locate right away once I'm down there. I'll be bringing my GPS so I shouldn't have too much of a problem finding it, but I don't like to rely completely on technology, since sometimes it doesn't work when you need it most, so I like your idea of driving there a few times! Thanks again!

Oh, and are the weather radios pretty easy to find there? I haven't ever seen any in Maine, I guess because there's just not much need for them, but I'd like to get one when I move.

I just noticed your location says SD, Jammie, but can anyone else answer this please?

Yup, I live way up here where there's another impending blizzard coming. We're also in tornado alley so the same things apply for both of our states. OK has a longer tornado season then we do because it's warmer earlier down there, but we have some problems from them up here, too.

Good luck to you in your move.

[mkfarnam]

Originally Posted by Jammie

Born, I don't have a specific answer to your question about apartments, but since you aren't coming from tornado alley, I don't know if you know this.

Cities and towns have specific buildings that you can go to if there are tornado warnings. They open them 24/7 if there is a threat. You'll want to be sure to find out where your nearest shelter is, drive to it a couple times since you won't be familiar with the area. Find out if they accept pets and if they don't, keep searching for a shelter near you that does. (In case you have pets) Pack a bag that you can grab as you go out the door. Don't dawdle around once there's a warning, but don't panic. Just get moving.

We don't just go through tornado season by ourselves. Doppler Radar is pretty advanced and Oklahoma has a fabulous Weather Center. The Emergency Management Directors are out and about if a threat is present right along with the police dept. Trained storm spotters are out and about, too so warnings are issued as soon as possible. You may even want to take a class in the springtime. You can learn about the clouds and what to watch for and what to fear. They're free to the public.

A tornado WATCH is issued if weather conditions are favorable for a tornado. A tornado WARNING means to get to shelter NOW because a tornado has been spotted in your area. Very basic info, I know, but for someone who hasn't lived with tornadoes, just some info for you.

And no one will laugh at you. Tornadoes are very powerful and destructive, but once you have a plan in place, you'll feel much better.

I'm leaving my post as I wrote it, but sorry~I just started reading backwards and see you've already got some of this info.

The tornadoe siren goes off every Friday for practice.