Tornadoes

Here in Nebraska we take tornadoes with a grain of salt. When we hear sirens it means take your horses in and enjoy a snack on the porch. Right now I’m in good old Nashville and they were nice enough to make us feel at home with some sirens. How do people react to bad weather in your area?

Down in the middle of oklahoma, sirens either mean you're gonna be destroyed or you'll have a nice show to watch as we get f3s and 2s normally lol

 

How do they react? Like crazy people. I always roll my eyes when people freak out over 3” of snow. I stay home, nice and comfortable, while the whole city loses its mind trying to stock up on food and water. Happens every year, like clockwork.

 

The worst weather we get down here is when the weather drops below 60... the horror

Right now its 25 degrees now I am just waiting for the snow the best part of winter.

 

It’s 67 now, my feet are cold

 

It’s 67 now, my feet are cold

67 is about the average temperature in my house lol. In the summer when it gets to 67 outside I can hardly stand the heat.

 

I live in Pennsylvania so we get a combination of weather. This year it was flooding. We lost most of our road and were stranded for 4 days. No power no phone no internet. Ahhh I was losing my mind. Lol. When it snows I'm nice enough to go out and lock the front hubs in on my truck so my wife can go to work.
Its 48 and raining. Yep raining still.

 

We have tornadoes frequently enough here in Central Texas that we take the alerts seriously. In a given year we probably have 1-2 touch down within a few miles. They might only be F1 but they can just as easily be F3 or larger. I'm not taking any chances. Luckily weather forecasters have gotten pretty good at knowing when conditions will be present that favor the formation of twisters. Stay away from windows, move to an interior space that preferably has some plumbing in the walls and take a radio, phone and flashlight just in case.

 

Last year we had a pretty severe storm that actually scared me. It uprooted trees and made our trampoline fly. I lost a few fences in that one too. We were able to watch the tornado come at us and it sounded like a train (bad sign) Luckily the tornado didn’t touch down right where we were.

 

I'll edit this to be longer later, but the wprst storms in my life have been floods where everyone was stuck for a few days (not like coastal cities thank god!)
And a severe wind storm that blew houses apart, knocked trees on them, killed multiple people injured so many others, power was out for 20 days some places, (mind you it's snowing/feezing and probably nov-dec)
So a lot of wood was burned, people were selling their fallen trees for next year, we lost thousands of trees.
Sidewalks were torn out of the ground and blew into the street, there was no water and little food in stores, some places were close to prevent theft, other places giving away food for those in need.
The local HS was a safe zone, housed 5 thousnad people for 2 weeks feeding and warming them, giving kids lessons and play time.
It was terrible.
One of the worst storms I've seen, snow is bad because you get trapped, I think wind is worse because you can get trapped and crushed.
One family found out the had terrible asbestos because a tree crushed their roof.

I watched neighbors roofs fly off, went out walking with my dog, she was being blown awat by the wind, and we almost got hit by a falling tree.
I heard this huge crack, like thunder and lighting, and then this creaking moan of the tree crashing into the ground right next to us.

That was enough storm for me!
Staying up all night tending the fire was hard. If we let it go out, we almost couldnt light it again, and would wake up soo freezing.
We had to put blankets up to cut off the heat into on room.

 

Well we never had a Emergency Alert System since we are on the very tip of tornado alley. You bet that changed when a EF4 tornado torn through the city of Edmonton back in 1987. The city was shook. My mom kinda remembers it but she was only 6 years old. My grandma on the other hand can remember it all. Since they the Alberta Emergency Alert has been created for any disaster. The eerie sound goes off now on your phones even when not connected to internet.
Anyway, you hear it at least 10 times a year. One test every month and then summer is filled with tornados, power outages and floods. Last year we had a very scary one with a tornado only a couple kilometers away. I literally boarded up my window. (That's where all the fish and reptiles are)
Here was a funnel cloud a month before:


I will have to find the photo later of where I thought we were going to die.
Now you know my reaction

 

I'm from Southern California, so any amount of rain and everyone freaks out.

 

In NC, if it calls, keyword, CALLS, for snow, then a large majority of schools and other government agency will close in preperation for the snow. Sometimes, it does not snow when the weather forecast calls for it. They'll close if there is a white sprinkle of snow on the ground like 0.01ft of snow.

 

I'm from Southern California, so any amount of rain and everyone freaks out.

Like they forget how to drive their cars freakout? Or is it more like, “Oh, it’s raining—finally!”?

 

Like they forget how to drive their cars freakout? Or is it more like, “Oh, it’s raining—finally!”?

Like using their umbrellas because the sidewalk is wet, saying it's pouring outside even though it's barely sprinkling, buying rainboots for their dogs, and yeah, forgetting how to drive their cars.

 

Like using their umbrellas because the sidewalk is wet, saying it's pouring outside even though it's barely sprinkling, buying rainboots for their dogs, and yeah, forgetting how to drive their cars.

Oh my.

 

Like using their umbrellas because the sidewalk is wet, saying it's pouring outside even though it's barely sprinkling, buying rainboots for their dogs, and yeah, forgetting how to drive their cars.

Oh boy.

 

Oh boy.

Yup.

 

I personally think it’s beautiful before storms. Here is a picture of a few clouds rolling in while I was on a trail ride.

 

Like using their umbrellas because the sidewalk is wet, saying it's pouring outside even though it's barely sprinkling, buying rainboots for their dogs, and yeah, forgetting how to drive their cars.

If you’re near LA, let’s not forget that time it rained in the middle of summer.

 

Here when the weather freaks say "Snow is on the way" there is hysteria everywhere. One goes to walmart and the shelves are bare, to the gas station and its filled with cars getting gas, so much panic over 2 inches of snow. Personally I think its hilarious but others take it seriously and buy batteries just in case they get "snowed in" We get a ton of floods every year it seems. And of course the yearly panic due to a 'heatwave'

 

our town hasn't had a tornado in a very very long time. there have been close calls where a tornado lifted up in the town next to us. those times they turn the sirens on. we usually just cover important things with towels or blankets just in case and keep the dogs close, but we never actually had to take cover.

 

I grew up in Oklahoma so I love tornado season, not the devastating results but the amazing aww of it. We would often chase them down just to watch. Ha....and I was born and spent many years in SoCal, lol now those people crack me up when there’s a dark cloud in the sky, if it actually rains....total community outcry!

 

There are tornadoes around here, but blizzards and heat waves as well lol. Luckily not all in the same day, but there's definitely a swing from day to day.

The scariest time for me was in a tornado (I was 15 at the time). It roared thru my neighborhood, I was home alone with my disabled grandmother. All I could hear was the roar, it was so loud and what sounded like power lines whipping against the house. I remember being afraid for my grandmother and tried hard to take care of everything, but the tornado blasted thru in about 2 minutes. Then calm, then sirens, then I saw the house 5 houses up totally gone! Don't worry, the house was rebuilt and no one got hurt, but THAT was close and I'll never forget it!

 

Here in Nebraska we get all the weather (except hurricanes) Heck, we could have all 4 seasons in one day!

 

Same here, only hurricane tail ends. I haven't seen a tornado on the same day as a blizzard, but def the 4 seasons in one day!

 

Yeah I don't get people. Here living Alberta you should know by now that getting snow in September or even right now we have some is nothing new. BUT, people still freak out and we have 50 accidents. Or the best is the people who drive under flooded over passes every single time it rains. They think "Oh its not that deep" then they are stuck. They even made a commercial on it!

 

I love snow storms! as soon as I see the first few snowflakes drop I'm already planning my day... "Calling out at work, movies, cooking, messing with the fish..lol"

 

I love snow storms! as soon as I see the first few snowflakes drop I'm already planning my day... "Calling out at work, movies, cooking, messing with the fish..lol"

Unless your in Alberta, -35c (-22f)? Your going to school! We still have to go outside in -30c. We have not a snow day in 6-7years. Last year we had one day because we had a huge wind storm that knocked out the power and a tree fell beside the school. We arrived to school in complete darkness and then went home. And 2years ago we had the snow melt the day before and then the temperature dropped a lot over night. Everything froze. You couldn't walk down the driveway or the road unless you used skates.

 

Unless your in Alberta, -35c (-22f)? Your going to school! We still have to go outside in -30c. We have not a snow day in 6-7years. Last year we had one day because we had a huge wind storm that knocked out the power and a tree fell beside the school. We arrived to school in complete darkness and then went home. And 2years ago we had the snow melt the day before and then the temperature dropped a lot over night. Everything froze. You couldn't walk down the driveway or the road unless you used skates.

what?? that's insane! -22??? Jeeez

 

Yep, seen those flash freezes. And ice storms, and so much snow I had no where left to put it, the banks were too high! But some years we can get only a 2 ft covering all year, you can never know. No more snow days, if parents can get kids to school, your SOL haha. The buses are almost cancelled with ice because it's too much of a liability. I wouldn't wantto be responsible for a bus load of kids as a driver, I know that!

 

what?? that's insane! -22??? Jesus

Oh yea! With the windchill, it can be -49 farenheit for a few days to a week. Stupid cold. Your nose, your fingers or any exposed skin hurts walking to the car.

But then our heatwaves are 113°F with the humidex and 100% humidity. So crazy. There's no getting used to it.

Actually, minus 35 Celsius is minus 31 Fahrenheit.

 

I live in Pennsylvania so we get a combination of weather. This year it was flooding. We lost most of our road and were stranded for 4 days. No power no phone no internet. Ahhh I was losing my mind. Lol. When it snows I'm nice enough to go out and lock the front hubs in on my truck so my wife can go to work.
Its 48 and raining. Yep raining still.

You got our rain from yesterday, it was just constant!

In Ohio it can get as hot as 90-100 in the summer, and usually 20-30 in the winter.

 

been living in north texas, part of tornado alley, for nearly 28 years and have yet to experience a real tornado :/ they always miss us. we call it "the bubble" lol. there have been a few that have touched down really close though. i'd probably pee myself if I saw a tornado. I used to want to be a tornado chaser... lol

 

I live in Seattle. 'Bad Weather' is kind of a relative thing, because too much of the SAME weather causes anxiety, but when one kind of weather switches for another it triggers car crashes and general panic. What our year looks like:
Spring: Grow gills and dream of days above 50. ANY hint of a break in the clouds and we run for the beach, even if we have to wear parkas, socks with our sandals, and gloves.
Summer: The first days of sunlight cause numerous accidents as people are blinded, especially as dawn intersects with the morning commute. The days become too long. Everyone starts living at the beach, but nervously eyes the forecast in case the temperature is supposed to get over 78. Might strip off the socks and just wear sandals. Remember that stuff called "sun screen" after the first day of direct sunlight turns us into lobsters. After two weeks of blue skies, people will start talking about how they hope it rains soon, and grumbling about the 'daystar'. Temperatures over 90 cause mass hysteria, and every hardware store in the area to sell out of AC units and fans.
Fall: Greet the return of the rain with another string of car crashes, this time pileups as people hydroplane into each other. Eventually people remember how to drive in the rain again, but the leaves and great slug migrations make the roads even more treacherous. The darkness returns, and pilgrs to Starbucks increase as we seek to both stay awake, and fatten up for the coming winter.
Winter: The rains slow down as the cold settles in. It usually hovers between 40 and freezing, but we know we'll never be warm again. The sun is gone, the world is grey. The least mention of snow fuels a panic, and people will crash their cars at the sight of a single snowflake. Businesses refuse to close for the snow, but entire school districts close every time there is a heavy frost because one bus route might have an icy hill. We start making plans for if "the snow" catches us by surprise at work, and we can't make it home, kissing our loved ones goodbye and telling them to "stay safe, stay warm". Many winters it doesn't snow, but we'll trade stories of the "Snowpocolypse" to prepare newcomers for the fact that most counties only have 3 snowplows, and they'll all head over to dig out Bill Gates first.

 

I’ve lived in both extremes: the heat in Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the cold, bitter winters in Alaska. The former wasn’t too bad as it was dry heat.

 

Here in New Mexico a quarter of an inch of snow on the ground is enough to close down schools. I used to live in downtown Omaha at night! The snow plows would come and bury your car, and you would spend an hour digging it out before you could go home.

 

I live in Seattle. 'Bad Weather' is kind of a relative thing, because too much of the SAME weather causes anxiety, but when one kind of weather switches for another it triggers car crashes and general panic. What our year looks like:
Spring: Grow gills and dream of days above 50. ANY hint of a break in the clouds and we run for the beach, even if we have to wear parkas, socks with our sandals, and gloves.
Summer: The first days of sunlight cause numerous accidents as people are blinded, especially as dawn intersects with the morning commute. The days become too long. Everyone starts living at the beach, but nervously eyes the forecast in case the temperature is supposed to get over 78. Might strip off the socks and just wear sandals. Remember that stuff called "sun screen" after the first day of direct sunlight turns us into lobsters. After two weeks of blue skies, people will start talking about how they hope it rains soon, and grumbling about the 'daystar'. Temperatures over 90 cause mass hysteria, and every hardware store in the area to sell out of AC units and fans.
Fall: Greet the return of the rain with another string of car crashes, this time pileups as people hydroplane into each other. Eventually people remember how to drive in the rain again, but the leaves and great slug migrations make the roads even more treacherous. The darkness returns, and pilgrs to Starbucks increase as we seek to both stay awake, and fatten up for the coming winter.
Winter: The rains slow down as the cold settles in. It usually hovers between 40 and freezing, but we know we'll never be warm again. The sun is gone, the world is grey. The least mention of snow fuels a panic, and people will crash their cars at the sight of a single snowflake. Businesses refuse to close for the snow, but entire school districts close every time there is a heavy frost because one bus route might have an icy hill. We start making plans for if "the snow" catches us by surprise at work, and we can't make it home, kissing our loved ones goodbye and telling them to "stay safe, stay warm". Many winters it doesn't snow, but we'll trade stories of the "Snowpocolypse" to prepare newcomers for the fact that most counties only have 3 snowplows, and they'll all head over to dig out Bill Gates first.

so basically any minimal change would cause a car crashed on Seattle? lol

Here in New Mexico a quarter of an inch of snow on the ground is enough to close down schools. I used to live in downtown Omaha at night! The snow plows would come and bury your car, and you would spend an hour digging it out before you could go home.

welcome to NY lol, they have the street cleaners that all they do is move the snow out of the streets and bury your car in 10 inches of black snow, yes black (NY is dirty) our snow is only white until it hits the floor lol

 

I live in Seattle. 'Bad Weather' is kind of a relative thing, because too much of the SAME weather causes anxiety, but when one kind of weather switches for another it triggers car crashes and general panic. What our year looks like:
Spring: Grow gills and dream of days above 50. ANY hint of a break in the clouds and we run for the beach, even if we have to wear parkas, socks with our sandals, and gloves.
Summer: The first days of sunlight cause numerous accidents as people are blinded, especially as dawn intersects with the morning commute. The days become too long. Everyone starts living at the beach, but nervously eyes the forecast in case the temperature is supposed to get over 78. Might strip off the socks and just wear sandals. Remember that stuff called "sun screen" after the first day of direct sunlight turns us into lobsters. After two weeks of blue skies, people will start talking about how they hope it rains soon, and grumbling about the 'daystar'. Temperatures over 90 cause mass hysteria, and every hardware store in the area to sell out of AC units and fans.
Fall: Greet the return of the rain with another string of car crashes, this time pileups as people hydroplane into each other. Eventually people remember how to drive in the rain again, but the leaves and great slug migrations make the roads even more treacherous. The darkness returns, and pilgrs to Starbucks increase as we seek to both stay awake, and fatten up for the coming winter.
Winter: The rains slow down as the cold settles in. It usually hovers between 40 and freezing, but we know we'll never be warm again. The sun is gone, the world is grey. The least mention of snow fuels a panic, and people will crash their cars at the sight of a single snowflake. Businesses refuse to close for the snow, but entire school districts close every time there is a heavy frost because one bus route might have an icy hill. We start making plans for if "the snow" catches us by surprise at work, and we can't make it home, kissing our loved ones goodbye and telling them to "stay safe, stay warm". Many winters it doesn't snow, but we'll trade stories of the "Snowpocolypse" to prepare newcomers for the fact that most counties only have 3 snowplows, and they'll all head over to dig out Bill Gates first.

This is the best thing I've read all day! LOL

Hmm, I generally only have to worry about tornadoes during a hurricane, and depending on the severity of said storm, we either bug out or sit back and enjoy the clouds and wind.

About 4 years before I was born, it snowed in Miami, but that's about an hour north of where I am now. When I lived in a small town in the mountains of western NC, if it was going to snow, everybody bought up ALL the milk and bread... which was weird to me, because I grew up prepping for hurricanes and buying non-perishables.

 

When it comes to tornadoes I don't mess around. I hate them, they scare me! I have dog kennels in my basement for a just in case I can put my dogs down there. We had one come though our town a couple years ago, right down our street. I've seen several of them and no, I don't like them, enjoy them or take them as a joke. Nope, nope, nope lol.

 

I’m in Texas so during storm season I basically worry about everything in the book. We just barely missed Hurricane Irma (got some nasty wind and rain from it though, along with emptied store shelves) and tornadoes are pretty darned common but I don’t think I’ve ever gotten a tornado warning, only numerous tornado watches. We also get flash flood warnings pretty much every time it rains and it’s not just a drizzle, although flash floods are pretty common here. Last winter it snowed for the first time in like nine years and everyone went nuts.

Thankfully, I’ve never really had to weather through any severe storms (pun very much intended) despite the extreme weather common to Texas.

EDIT: Did I mention the temperatures in summer? Low 80s is refreshing and we think of 60 as quite chilly. Currently in the 80s or so right now as I speak. 90 to 100+ is average summer temps.