Huntsville Alabama Tornado Statistics (home, job outlook, earthquakes)

[KPow84]

Would someone possibly be able to provide me with accurate and easily understood tornado statistics for the Huntsville, Alabama area over the past 40-50 years or so? My family and I are thinking about relocating to Huntsville and I am really scared of severe weather and tornadoes. I am aware that Huntsville has a ton of severe weather, but I am curious to know how often Huntsville experiences tornadoes and if it is a normal occurrence. I could deal with a few here and there but not all the time. My nerves couldn't handle it.

If someone could also possibly fill me in on the job outlook in Huntsville, I would greatly appreciate it. I am in search of a job in the business and finance field. There are absolutely no jobs where I currently live and I have spent the past year and a half applying for jobs, just to get turned down day after day. My family and I have researched Huntsville, and plan on taking a trip up there soon to check it out. So far from what I have read, it sounds like a great place.

Thanks so much for any info.

[cpg35223]

Here you go. This is a great resource: Tornado History Project: Maps and Statistics

[Reactionary]

Tornadoes are normal (>20 in AL per year with North Alabama getting more than LA - HSV seems to get a couple per year). Tornadoes can occur year round but usually occur in the Spring (March to May). The damage is localized, so tornadoes aren't as 'bad' as earthquakes or hurricanes where everyone is affected. The weather reports / warning sirens provide some warning - usually enough to find shelter. Unfortunately, if a big tornado is coming your way there is almost no place to hide - unless you have a good home shelter and are at home at that time.

Defense and NASA make up about half (IIRC) of the local economy. Unemployment is ~8.2% with uncertainty about the future. The job market is shaky - the defense / NASA budgets are on the chopping block - the 2012 elections will determine how badly HSV gets cut.

[Shalako]

I dunno what the actual tqtistics are. That vicinity has had some over the Years, but it's not exactly a "Tornado Alley"--certainly nothing to compare with say Oklahoma. Any place in Alabama is subject to Tornado activity. I lived there for 35 Years and only one ever got close. I mostly just ignored the issue.

[GeorgiaBoy15]

The Huntsville area had a total of 78 tornados just in 2011 so thats well above average for the rest of the state