[adventuregurl]

I am going to be driving from AZ to Canada, crossing at Buffalo or Detroit. My drive takes me through Oklahoma on the 40 and then up thru 44 into Missouri, Indiana and Ohio.

After hearing about the tornados I'm scared to go that way. Is it warranted? I have no experience with them and don't know if they can be predicted and if this past week was a fluke.

Thoughts? Should I alter my trip route?

[StillwaterTownie]

Originally Posted by adventuregurl

I am going to be driving from AZ to Canada, crossing at Buffalo or Detroit. My drive takes me through Oklahoma on the 40 and then up thru 44 into Missouri, Indiana and Ohio.

After hearing about the tornados I'm scared to go that way. Is it warranted? I have no experience with them and don't know if they can be predicted and if this past week was a fluke.

Thoughts? Should I alter my trip route?

So what do you do when there is a storm in Arizona? You put off driving until the storm moves on, so you won't have to drive through it.

[adventuregurl]

No I don't mind regular storms at all but in AZ storms just mean very heavy rain, flooding, hail with some wind.

When I watched cars flying around, up in the air, and transports being lifted up, on the news, I started to get scared. I don't know anything about tornados...is it tornado season? Are they really bad? Should I reroute or was that a fluke?

Realistically will there probably still be more tornados a week from today?

I'm just trying to find out what locals think as I have no idea what it's like.

If I sound naïve, it's true, that's why I'm here asking and I'd reallly love it if someone could help me.

We get these kinds of questions all the time about rattle snakes and scorpions here and we patiently answer them!

[swake]

Just watch the forecast and if storms are in the forecast pay attention to the radio for warnings.

Really overall your chances of seeing a tornado driving through Oklahoma is just about zero. I've lived here 30 years and never seen one. You are many, many times more likely to be hurt in a car accident than a tornado.

[adventuregurl]

OK, thanks, that's good news! So they come primarily when there's a storm warning, not just out of the blue?

[swake]

Originally Posted by adventuregurl

OK, thanks, that's good news! So they come primarily when there's a storm warning, not just out of the blue?

No storm, no tornado. Anymore there are usually days of warning that severe storms are possible.

And don't forget, when a tornado does hit the impacted area is actually pretty small. The tornados that hit last week damaged an area less than a square mile in Sand Springs and Tulsa, they aren't like hurricanes or earthquakes that damage huge areas. People even less than half a mile from the tornado were completely untouched. And that was Tulsa's first tornado in years.

[adventuregurl]

Thank you for that helpful info!

[_redbird_]

Originally Posted by adventuregurl

OK, thanks, that's good news! So they come primarily when there's a storm warning, not just out of the blue?

And if you see this lady, you better go full throttle! And don't get skeert!

[Goodpasture]

Originally Posted by adventuregurl

.............. not just out of the blue?

more like "out of the green"

If the sky turns green during a thunderstorm, gather up your pets and other loved ones and head for the cellar, a twister is on the way. So goes the common wisdom in much of the central U.S.—and other tornado-prone regions in the world, like Australia—when faced with a threatening sky (although some swear green means hail).

LINK

let us know when you're coming through and we'll make sure we keep them all down around McAlester

[Bass&Catfish2008]

Disregard the warnings. You need to know just....one....thing....

Look For The Flying Cow. It's very common. No flying cow, no twister.

Flying cow present.....GET DOWN!!!



Nah, in all seriousness young lady, you just need to watch out for all these damn Okie drivers.....RedBird & Goodpasture are probably ones you want to stay away from. Dangerous as all get out! On the other hand, not to toot my own horn, but I'm a mighty fine driver.

You'll be fine....just keep your eyes peeled for the flying cow. It's worked for me every time.

EDIT:
Also, given that your handle is "Adventuregurl" I think a flying cow might be right up your alley. Cheers!