Is everyone OK?

[BookstoreEscapee]

I hope all our Floridian friends are OK tonight. Just saw the news about tornadoes. I don't know if any of the people on here are in that area.

[Knightmare]

I'm from that area. 14 people died in Paisley, a town about 9 miles away from me. More people died and are missing in The Villages, a HUGE retirement community about 30 min north of here.
In my area, not much damage, thank God. Just some trees down on the main road thru town. No houses damaged, no people killed or injured.
My department manager lives just outside of the town where the people died. He heard the tornadoes and hail and all the fun stuff at 3 a.m.
Before work, he went to where he used to live, and it wasn't there anymore.
My daughter was with me last night, and she didn't sleep well because of the rain and flashes of lightning. She crawled into bed with me, and I had to stay up with her most of the night, comforting her. It was pretty scary for her.
I actually had no idea how bad it was until I went to my parents house. Friday is Grandparents day for Emily. She spends every Friday over there. We walk in, and there on the news are the aerial shots of the destruction. I couldn't believe it. It was bad. I mean BAD. A whole apartment complex, gone. Whole neighborhoods, gone. People dead and missing. Fires from exposed gas mains and pipes. Some places looked like a war zone.
With all the destruction, I can't believe that only 19 people are reported dead. But with the clean up, there could, and probably will, be many more.

To read more, click here (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16940788/)

[NightAngel]

Tornados really suck. Seen more than my fair share and the damage they can cause.

I'm glad you and your daughter are okay Knightmare.

Still need to account for LostMyMind, DarthRetard, TheGiraffe (I think), RubyRed... anyone else live down here in "Sunny" Florida?

[CanadaGirl]

My fiancee's best friend just moved back to Florida from NJ. The guy isn't answering his phone so he's kind of worried. :(

[thegiraffe]

I'm good. I live in Seminole County - one of the counties they declared a state of emergency in, but....we're all scratching our heads as to WHY exactly we're under that. They said it's due to the radar, but... *shrugs shoulders*.

My Nana (mom's mom) lives in the Villages. I haven't spoken with her, but my parents have. She's fine, her house is fine. It seems that only four "villages" were destroyed/damaged, and hers isn't one of them. It's pretty scary though.

Mom came in and woke me up yesterday at 6:10 (no biggie - I get up around then anyhow) and said that she had talked to Nana and she was fine and all...I didn't realize exactly what she meant as far as the tornadoes and all until I was driving to work and listening to the radio. When I saw the pictures, it was even more incredible.

[BookstoreEscapee]

I've never actually seen a tornado in NJ; but there was one several years ago in the next town over from me. Damaged a roof and knocked down a tree but that was about it. I hate when they have tornado warnings, though. They scare the bejeezus out of me.

[DarthRetard]

Nope, guys. I'm fine, I live more in the hurricane bullseye area (i.e., that one year we were hit by five? my house took all five of em. Lucky, eh?). So no, did get mugged twice this week, but that I can at least fight. (I was a Marine, i'm not too worried.)

[NightAngel]

I've never actually seen a tornado in NJ;

The problem seeing tornados is that they are absolutely awe inspiring.
They are big and terrifying and destructive but for some reason you just stand there and stare going, "Wow... that's so COOL!" Because it is- I can't explain why- it just IS.

It's like when you see on tv where the person caught a tornado on home video and you're watching it thinking, "If that was ME I'd be long gone by now! Not just standing there video taping! Run you idiot!" But, then when it's actually you standing there with the great honking tornado you just CAN'T stop looking at it.

I used to have horrible nightmares about being in a field with no where to go and a tornado baring down on me. But then the first time I saw one I actually wasn't afraid at all- I was enthralled. It's like it's so bizarre and mind boggling you forget to be scared. Which is bad- because you really should be getting to shelter...

[BookstoreEscapee]

The problem seeing tornados is that they are absolutely awe inspiring.
They are big and terrifying and destructive but for some reason you just stand there and stare going, "Wow... that's so COOL!" Because it is- I can't explain why- it just IS.


I guess it's the same as watching really cool lightning... If I'm outside I'll head in, but I'll watch from the window, even though I know the window isn't going to protect me.

I think I'll leave the tornado chasing to the discovery channel :)

[Sandman]

I for one have never seen first hand a tornado, but part of my weather spotting training has taught me what do to if you see a tornado.

First of all, report it! Don't assume that someone else has!
Second of all, get out of it's way. At least more than one mile and make sure you have an escape route diagonally away from the tornado's route.
Third of all, a highway underpass is one of the WORST places to go, as you could have an even more powerful suction force. Get to the lowest place as possible, like a ditch or in a colvert.

[NightAngel]

Tornados have no route- they can change direction at any given instant.

I've never been a "chaser" I've just been unlucky enough to be there when it happened. When I lived in MO my daily commute to the Big City took me through a lot of open farm territory. Many tornados touch down out in the fields- most people only ever see or hear about the ones that are close to towns.

BookStoreEscapee:
One time when I was a teenager I was standing near a window watching a storm. I can't remember why I turned to walk away from the window but just as I turned my back a strong blast of wind and rain hit- the window exploded- glass was blown across the room. I was, thankfully, fairly unharmed but I know I was really lucky that I didn't take any of the big pieces in the back or head.

Now, this was an old window from back in the plain old one pane- actual glass days though. Old house. I expect newer windows are more plexiglassy and less likely to explode in the same conditions.

[lordlundar]

Third of all, a highway underpass is one of the WORST places to go, as you could have an even more powerful suction force.

It's not so much the suction, it's the possibility for a near perfect vacuum. Basically, if the wind doesn't get you, the asphyxiation could.

The worst one I have witnessed the destruction on was Black Friday. (Not the same as the states Black Friday. Google Edmonton Tornado) An F4 tornado that some say was used in some shots in the movie "Twister" just devastaed the outskirts of the city. The most memorable image I can think of was a full oil tank was picked up, flipped it over the course of a half mile and dropped it upside down.

I was out camping with my family that year down south, but we saw the storm that had that tornado. It certainly wasn't the most devastating one in the world, but when you don't live in Tornado Alley, it means a lot.

Then a couple years ago an F5 hit the area of pine lake. Sat Radar just showed this spot of red bearing down on them.

I never have been awe inspired by tornadoes. I know that the best place to be is as far away as possible.

[Rubyred]

I'm okay. I live way South of where the tornados hit. Ft.Lauderdale-ish area. :)

Glad to hear everyone else is okay too.

[HYHYBT]

I hate when they have tornado warnings, though. They scare the bejeezus out of me.That's very sensible of you.

[BookstoreEscapee]

That's very sensible of you.

Thanks. I try to be a sensible person whenever possible. And I like my bejeezus...;)