[flynncj]

Hello,
I was wondering. Has anyone one of you from Oklahoma had to deal with a tornado. What are the tornadoes like in Oklahoma? Because I hear that Oklahoma is tornado alley?? Anyone from Oklahoma that knows about it. let me know.
Thanks!!
Chris

[ArkansasTraveler]

Originally Posted by flynncj

Hello,I was wondering. Thanks!!Chris

Duh!
http://www.disastercenter.com/oklahoma/tornado.html
Compared with other States, Oklahoma ranks number 2 for frequency of Tornadoes, 7 for number of deaths, 9 for injuries and 5 for cost of damages. When we compare these statistics to other States by the frequency per square mile, Oklahoma ranks, number 2 for the frequency of tornadoes, number 10 for fatalities, number 15 for injuries per area and number 6 for costs per area. Based on data from 1950 - 1995.
Oklahoma in 1970 had a population of 2,559,463 and between 1950 and 1995 had 2,379 tornadoes. This ranks the State number 2 in tornadoes by State. The population in 1970 divided by the number of tornadoes equals 1,076 This ranks Oklahoma number 6 in the ratio of tornadoes to population. Oklahoma had 220 fatalities between 1950 and 1995. Compared to other states it ranked 7 The risk of death in any one year is 1 in 523,527 This ranks Oklahoma as number 4 for the risk of death by tornado . Between 1950 and 1995 the state had 3,192 injuries involving tornadoes. This ranks the state number 9 among the States for injury. The risk of injury in any one year is one in 36,083 When we divide the population by the number of injuries, the State ranks number 4 The total cost of tornadoes between 1950 and 1995 was $1,068,178,432.00 This ranks the state number 5 The cost per person for tornadoes, in the state per year, is $ 9.27 This ranks the State number 3 In costs for tornadoes per person
We encourage you to post your tornado stories, questions, updates, reports on our Oklahoma message board.
Visit our Oklahoma Disaster Center Page during any disaster for links to the best internet disaster resources for the State of Oklahoma.
For national disaster information and links to the hundreds of web pages on our site visit our index page.
Our special Tornado pages can be reached through The Disaster Center Tornado page.

[Robin S]

Hi Chris! I grew up in OKC - on the South side mostly. We did have tornado warnings often - but I only actually ever saw one with my own eyes. I have seen and heard of more here in S.W. Kentucky in the past few years than I ever did in OKC. But, maybe that is because they have said that this part of Kentucky now has about as many as OK does.

[City]

Tornadoes have destroyed many homes in neighborhoods while still missing others right next door. Just pay attention to the tornado sirens and seek shelter immediately. Best bet - If the house doesn't come with a tornado shelter, have one installed. There are many, many companies that make these shelters, especially since the major tornadoes a few years ago wiped out so many homes. Spring and fall seem to be the peak times for tornadoes.

[Jammie]

Which was the number one state since Ok was number two?

[NativeBartian]

Jammie,

I am a native of Bartlesville Oklahoma. I am also a trained storm spotter for SkyWarn, the Tulsa National Weather Service, and an Amateur Radio Operator. I know for a fact that Oklahoma holds the TOP record for the MOST tornadoes IN ONE DAY!This can be verified by going to www.srh.noaa.gov/tulsa. The information is there.

As far a for dealing with tornadoes...

Because of Oklahoma's geographical location and the weather patterns, Oklahomans are in area knowm as "tornado alley". During the Spring months we deal with tornadoes. Most of them don't last long. These are from F0-F2 ratings. The more dangerous ones are rated from F3 to F5 (estimated F5 tornadic winds are 318 mph!) F4s and F5 are pretty rare. There are is no such thing in real life as an "F6" tornado.

Is my job (actually, I'm a volunteer) scarey at times? It can be, but basicly know how to get out the way and what to watch for.

Except for some years I spent in the US Navy, I have lived here all my life. I can tell you and everyone who sees this post that you would stand a better chance of getting struck by lightning than taking a direct hit by a tornado.

So don't let anyone fool you... it's not that bad living tornado alley... really.

[Jammie]

Hi Native, that was an informative post. I like your comparison about it being easier to be struck by lightning then being hit directly by a tornado. I was struck by lightning when I was about 20 years old. As you can tell, I survived.

We live in So. Dak. and it didn't seem like we were actually in Tornado Alley until a few years ago. We've been so blessed this year unlike some of the southern and southeastern states.

Since you live in Bartlesville, have you been to Tulsa often? We've heard a lot of good things about Tulsa and there are a lot of things I'd like to see there. Woodward Park and the River Parks are probably number one on my list. Oh and the aquarium in Jenks and also the zoo. Actually, there are a lot of things I'd like to see down there. We like flowery, plush areas. (trees, thick beautiful lawns, etc) Is it like that there?

[GunGirlCO]

I miss living in Tornado Alley. I have been out of OK for over 8 years now...really miss home..I would have to agree with Jammie, River parks is my fave...oh well someday I will be back

[Jammie]

Gungirl, it sounds like you used to live in Tulsa. Which state did you relocate to?

[GunGirlCO]

I am now in Colorado...#2 in the US for lightning and that is no joke...I love the scenery and mountains...but there is no place like home...I actually lived in Broken Arrow..if you know where that is