thinking about moving to TV

[heavycorrosion]

Can anyone tell me if there is a danger living in TV as far as tornado's and hurricanes are concerned. We live in Alaska and visited TV 2 weeks ago and are really thinking of moving there as soon as our house sells. Thanks :)

[RCT]

I guess the stock answer is that anywhere one lives, there are natural acts that could harm us. Personally, I'd rather take my chances with hurricanes and tornados than freezing.

[heavycorrosion]

RCT, thanks for the reply. May I ask how long you have lived in TV? and have there ever been any tornado's or hurricanes there? also can you think of any negatives to living in TV? thank you, your input is very appreciated and will help us make a decision to move there.

[redwitch]

HC -- There was a tornado that touched down here last year. However, from what I understand in talking to long-time residents, this was truly a rare occurrence. Even so, we do get tornado warnings and watches during February and March. While I've only been here since September, I chalk them up to being in Florida, just like I did earthquakes in California. Mother nature attacks every corner of the world with something.

To give you an idea, Sumter County had 8 tornadoes between 1965-98; Marion County 37; Lake County 33; Dade County (Miami) 67. All considered, it's not that bad. Of course, when you're worrying whether a tornado will touch down and where, it's a slightly different story. Personally, I have a much bigger fear of lightning storms and Florida really does seem to the capital of lightning storms. Lucky me!

Here's a link to a thread to some of the negatives about living in TV: https://www.talkofthevillages.com/smf/index.php/topic,1643.0.html

[Sidney Lanier]

We've been here only a short time and so have not experienced anything more than 'tornado watch' on the NOAA weather alert radio. We have friends who moved close to The Villages (that is, inland) from south Florida, close to the coast, after the year of the four hurricanes, believing that inevitable Florida hurricanes would not be as challenging here.

We visit Alaska as often as we can as we love the state, though each time we are there we see reminders of the Anchorage/Turnagain earthquake (9 on the Richter scale?) Nature has 'stuff' everywhere; we have found in our brief time here, echoed by people we've met who've been here much longer, that the pluses so far outweigh the minuses that the latter are worth a nod of awareness and that's about it.

Hope this helps....

[swrinfla]

HC
I bought here only a couple of days after Hurricane Frances hit Florida, early September 2004. All my up-north friends were all the more convinced that I'd totally lost my mind!

Frances was felt nearby, for sure. My brother lives in Weirsdale, a rural community just east of TV. His neighborhood was without power for nearly a week. Meanwhile, the villa where I stayed during my pre-view visit was cool and comfy the entire time!

Power outages are few and far between here. Hurricanes make The Big News all the time, but the experts continue to tell us that our inland location (roughly 50 miles from the Gulf, maybe 75 to the Atlantic) is a strong plus, since the worst of most any hurricane is right when it hits land, not during or after it's crossing of the land! So, after several other storms after Frances, I continue to be "cool" here!

Redwitch's comments on tornados are valid, too. The one in 2007 was less than a half-mile from my house (I was in Cozumel, though), much closer than I would like, and closer than any I experienced in 45 years in St. Louis. Spooky, yes. Enough to scare me away? No way!

Come and experience the great joy of living in TV. You can always go back to the tundra in July!

SWR

[heavycorrosion]

Thank you all so much for your comments. My wife and I are begining to agree that the pluses to living in TV out number the negatives. 8)

[redwitch]

HC, a bigger hazard here are the lovebugs and we get those dang things twice a year. Driving into a swarm of them on the interstate is downright blinding and then trying to exit to clean your windshield is rather, um, er, interesting. You can't use the wipers cause it just streaks the blood. You can't see out of the windshield at all. If you try to stick your head out of the window to drive, you'll just be blasted by more bugs. Do keep window cleaner and paper towels in your car during lovebug season! A much bigger irritant and something guaranteed to happen bi-annually but a great topic of conversation.

[heavycorrosion]

Redwitch....haahahahaha that was a funny love bug story lol. what months are those?

[redwitch]

April-May; August-September. They're coming! They're coming!!!

Pluses: They don't bite, sting or cause bodily harm. Minuses: They're everywhere! If you don't wash them off your car ASAP, they will pit the paint job.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG068

[KathieI]

ewwwww. they're ugly little blastards aren't they. Blah, maybe I'll stay in L. A. no bugs here, just earthquakes...

[Donna]

http://www.millan.net/minimations/toolminis/xanimal_firefly.gif (http://www.millan.net)...I have never been there during love bug season..http://www.millan.net/minimations/toolminis/xanimal_firefly.gif (http://www.millan.net)

Here in Pa., we have the May Flies..I guess If we are going to live in Florida, we better get used to those little creepers...http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/mosquitosmiley.gif (http://www.millan.net)...http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/mosquitosmiley.gif (http://www.millan.net)...http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/mosquitosmiley.gif (http://www.millan.net)

Rather have those than Palmetto Bugs..ewwwwwhttp://www.millan.net/minimations/toolminis/spajder.gif (http://www.millan.net)http://www.millan.net/minimations/toolminis/spajder.gif (http://www.millan.net)http://www.millan.net/minimations/toolminis/spajder.gif (http://www.millan.net)

[heavycorrosion]

At least they don't bite and almost carry you off like the mosquitoes here. In June we have to run to the car and get in before they eat you alive, its awful >:(

[Russ_Boston]

I would never thought that about Alaska.

[redwitch]

Yup, Alaskan mosquitoes make the Wisconsin look like fleas. They are truly awful! HC, as the sayin' goes, c'mon on down! It really is pretty hard to not like it here. Heck, I'd say about 99.9% of us even love it! The occasional fear of a tornado or the urge to hide under the bed every time lightning rears its ugly head is a small price to pay for living here.

[heavycorrosion]

Redwitch speaking of hiding under the bed.....what do you guys do when a tornado comes? I don't see any basements or storm shelters. Do you just stay in your house and hope for the best or is there a safe place everyone can go too?? I would really like to know. Thanks

[heavycorrosion]

BTW Russ_Boston, Alaskans joke about the mosquito being the alaskan state bird LOL ;D

[villages07]

HC...

There really are no storm shelters around here and you don't usually get that much notice for tornados...so, you retreat to a closet or other interior room and hope your good luck hasn't run out.

For hurricanes, haven't personally been here yet for one....houses are supposed to be built to withstand a Category 3. Time will tell.

[redwitch]

HC, do remember we are talking Florida -- the water tables are such that any tornado shelter would be under water ... a definite "how long can you tread water" thing. So, if we're really concerned, off to the closet or bathroom (any room without windows) we go. Actually, if you listen to the news, they'll tell you the weather is such that there might be a tornado that day, so you could always leave Central Florida for that period.

I was in San Francisco when we had the World Series Quake. While I don't mind quakes at all, I do understand that those not used to them are terrified at the idea of being on land that moves. I'm not a big fan of wind, so I'm not thrilled when wind can turn into big circular funnels that could suck my house up. However, I've actually become rather blase about the warnings and watches. I do watch the sky. If it turns yellow or green, then I'll probably run to the closet.

So, you trade huge mounds of snow and ice, possible earthquakes and giant mosquitoes for pretty good weather most of the time (barring nasty, vile, yucky humidity), lightning storms more times than I care to think about, an occasional threat of a tornado, high winds during hurricane season, palmettoes (large, slow moving cockroaches -- easily crushed) and lovebugs. And, of course, you get the chance to meet wonderful people, have lots to do year round and learn that getting old really is getting better.

[Gander]

We are in the same situation, and will move to TV as soon as house sells here in Michigan.
Had the same concerns about tornado's and hurricanes. After listening to everyone, it does not appear any different then Michigan. In fact a 2 tornado's touched down near us, one 3 miles from us and the other 30 miles away. So we are use to the risk and is not a deterrent to coming to TV. As for hurricanes, it appears safer in land than on the coast.

We can deal with the love bugs.

The advantages to TV over Michigan and Alaska right now are temperature and snow. Right now it is 22 degrees and we are in the middle of a snow storm and it is Easter, I rest my case. As for Alaska our youngest daughter lives and teaches in Newtok, AK. She gives reports and pictures of below zero weather and blizzards. She is young and likes it right now. Need we say more ,the sooner we get to TV the better.

[heavycorrosion]

Amen to that Gander, I cant wait to move to TV, and take my chances with tornados and such, however, I think i will try to build some sort of concrete "safe room" in my garage to wait out the storms. After seeing the destuction done to those houses in the village, I can't believe no one was killed. anyway thanks again everyone for you input. :)

[terpaq]

Hi, I'm heavys (heavycorrosion) wife, terpaq...I was wondering if TV would have a problem with us buying a portable safe room and putting it in our garage once we bought in TV? You wouldn't be able to see it from the street. I believe to anchor them you do have to drill into the concrete of the garage. Then if we move out of TV for some reason down the road, we would just take it with us and of course, repair the garage floor. Does anyone know if it would be ok with TV? Being Alaskans all these years we are very proactive about safety....just tend to prepare for things...I'm not big on the idea of huddling in the windowless hallway or in the bathtub...and hoping for the best...I do believe The Lord protects us (we are people of faith) but, I also believe he has giving us a brain to use. Thanks for any input. Kind Regards, Terpaq

[villages07]

terp (like the Univ of MD terrapins???),

Should be no problem with a safe room in the garage....what you do inside the house is your business, as long as you get whatever permits or licensed contractors that would be required. I met someone the other day whose house was hit by the Feb 2007 tornado...when they rebuilt, they put a safe room in their closet.

[samhass]

C'mon down. We need more cowbells...more cowbells!!!!!!!

(I love Will Farrell and Christopher Walken in that skit!)

[terpaq]

Hey,
Thanks, alot for letting me know!! I have read on the internet about people turning their closets into saferooms...esp. if it's a nice sized walk-in closet. You would just use it as one of your closets and also, as the safe room, if the need arises.
We would do everything correctly when we move to TV concerning putting it in, whether it's in the garage or closet...all the correct permits and professionally installed.
Oh, the id is just the first 3 letters of my first name and last put together.

[Mikitv]

As a TV wannabee from Ark we deal with tornado's all the time. Safe rooms are pretty much the norm around here. People build them as an additional room in their house or convert them into a dual purpose room, ie, closet etc. Good luck on your decision. I have a sister in Alaska and I am trying to convince her to move with us to TV.

[terpaq]

Thanks Mikark, we have lived up here 25 years....tired of fishing and skiing...tired of being cold ....it is really boring...your sister will probably get to that point, eventually.

I wonder if there are many ex-Alaskans in The Villages?

Oh, also I was wondering if there is a club at The Villages for spinners?...I spend alot of time spinning at my spinning wheel ....so, I'm wondering if there are any fellow spinners...and I don't mean bicycling, ha, ha...I usually spin exotic fibers , such as alpaca, silk, etc...if there are no spinners at the villages ....I guess, I will just have to teach my neighbors how to spin!!!