Helter-skelter Where to take shelter

[twoplanekid]

The local forecast for this winter season calls for more storms and a greater chance of tornadoes. As my new house doesn’t have a storm shelter or basement, where is the best place to hunker down in the house?

I know about staying away from glass windows and near supporting walls. As many of the houses in TV are similar in design, I thought there might be a recommended location for a particular house design in this planned community. The man who I contacted at the Villages Public Safety department did not know of any such recommendations.

I suggested that he talk to others about creating a plan for tornadoes that would direct Villagers to the safest location in that particular house design. As I am still new, do others know of such a study? Please don’t say that recommendations can’t be made because of liability concerns. Safety should come first.

[Bjeanj]

We live in a 2-bedroom with a pocket door leading to a short hallway. This leads to a guest bedroom and bath. If there is a tornado/high wind, our safety plan is to close the doors to the bedroom, bath, and pocket door. This provides us with a short hallway that is away from the outside wall(bathroom), any windows (guest bedroom), and next to a supporting wall.

That's our plan. Won't know if it's a good plan until we need it. I suppose if the roof goes, we could get sucked out of the house!

[Barefoot]

If there is a tornado watch on our Weather Radio, we've learned that it's usually not a cause for alarm.
If there is a tornado warning, I take my dogs, bottled water and passport, etc., to the laundry room (inside room with no windows).
Fireboy thinks I'm overreacting and so far he has been right (nine winters), He goes outside to watch for the tornado. :shocked:

[KathieI]

Coming from earthquake country, I always have a plan in my head in case of emergency.

I lived in a Lantana and my retreat was the master closet which was large and windowless. I'd even go in there for thunder and lightening (which I hate) and bring the 2 dogs. I even planned to put an electric outlet in there so I could be on the computer to wait out the storm.

Now I'm in a CYV, and again the master closet seems like the best place. Its always best to have a plan. At least with tornados we might get a warning, with earthquakes, it just happens instantaneously.

[rubicon]

Laundry room for most homes in TV

[Chatbrat]

In most designers, it will be the master bedroom closet, and make sure its the one that is not on an exterior wall-been thinking about making our closet into a safe room-will loose a lot of interior room , if we use concrete block or line the walls & overhead with 3/8" steel.

[justjim]

The big tornado in The Villages (Groundhog day 2007) most were sleeping in their bedroom as it hit about 3:00am. There were eight deaths in Lady Lake. Something like 1,000 homes were damaged in The Villages. No deaths in The Villages----46 to hospital.

The fact it was 3:00 am was a blessing. Apparently, asleep in your bed isnt a bad place to be. We were living in the Village of Caroline---two blocks away from our Villa, homes were completely destroyed.

Tornados of this type are very rare.

[bagboy]

I remember growing up in Ohio the advice was the southwest corner of your basement. If no basement, the southwest corner of an interior room was the safest place, if there is such a safe(r) place. I haven't the first clue as to why the southwest corner.

[CFrance]

If there is a tornado watch on our Weather Radio, we've learned that it's usually not a cause for alarm.
If there is a tornado warning, I take my dogs, bottled water and passport, etc., to the laundry room (inside room with no windows).
Fireboy thinks I'm overreacting and so far he has been right (nine winters), He goes outside to watch for the tornado. :shocked:
No wonder Ron likes him.

[billethkid]

If there is a tornado watch on our Weather Radio, we've learned that it's usually not a cause for alarm.
If there is a tornado warning, I take my dogs, bottled water and passport, etc., to the laundry room (inside room with no windows).
Fireboy thinks I'm overreacting and so far he has been right (nine winters), He goes outside to watch for the tornado. :shocked:

See post #7!

[twoplanekid]

I didn’t know about the 2007 tornadoes hitting the Villages. It’s on the Sumter county site -> Tornadoes | Sumter County, FL - Official Website (http://sumtercountyfl.gov/782/Tornadoes)

Thanks for all of the suggestions. As I live in a Holly, I may beef-up the walls of the walk-in closet off of the master bedroom that backs to the interior living/TV room wall. I believe that wall is a load carrying wall.

[dbussone]

See post #7!


BTK - 2007 was an unusual year in the El Niño cycle. This coming year is projected to be even more intense in CFL. The more we learn how to protect ourselves the fewer injuries The Villages residents may suffer in the event of a serious weather event. Thanks for pointing this out.

[Kazmi]

Sorry for such a dumb question but what months are considered tornado season? I guess I shouldn't be so lazy and just google it :024:

[twoplanekid]

BTK - 2007 was an unusual year in the El Niño cycle. This coming year is projected to be even more intense in CFL. The more we learn how to protect ourselves the fewer injuries The Villages residents may suffer in the event of a serious weather event. Thanks for pointing this out.

Thanks.

Or, maybe I should use the walk-in closet off of bedroom # 2 as two of the walls are cement brick walls that form a corner of the house. I hope some agency/builders in the Villages would offer advice as to the safest place in the house rather than my guessing.

[Jaggy]

thanks.. like i don't have enough stress tonite.

[dbussone]

Thanks.

Or, maybe I should use the walk-in closet off of bedroom # 2 as two of the walls are cement brick walls that form a corner of the house. I hope some agency/builders in the Villages would offer advice as to the safest place in the house rather than my guessing.


We have an interior laundry room. No windows and doors sealing off all wall openings. Try to stay away from windows and exterior walls. We also have an interior corridor that can be sealed off from the main part of our home, the 2nd bedroom, office, and 2nd bathroom. Both have extra support over doorways and at least 2 wall separation from the exterior of our home.

[dbussone]

thanks.. like i don't have enough stress tonite.


No stress necessary if you know what to do. CERT does a presentation periodically called "R U Ready" to assist us in preparing for hurricanes, tornados, and wild fires.

[Barefoot]

I wonder if the 2007 tornado was a tornado warning rather than a tornado watch?
I guess it doesn't matter if people are asleep in their beds at 3 AM.
Our Weather Radio is set to alert us if there is a tornado predicted.
We turn on the weather channel on our television, listen to the predictions, and make our decision on whether we think the tornado is passing close to us.

We were on our Lifestyle Preview a couple of weeks after the 2007 tornado.
There was a lot of property damage and clean up going on.
It didn't deter us from buying a home that Spring.

[mulligan]

I didn’t know about the 2007 tornadoes hitting the Villages. It’s on the Sumter county site -> Tornadoes | Sumter County, FL - Official Website (http://sumtercountyfl.gov/782/Tornadoes)

Thanks for all of the suggestions. As I live in a Holly, I may beef-up the walls of the walk-in closet off of the master bedroom that backs to the interior living/TV room wall. I believe that wall is a load carrying wall.

There are no load carrying walls in the interior of these houses thanks to trussed roofs.

[golfing eagles]

There are no load carrying walls in the interior of these houses thanks to trussed roofs.

In that case best to stick your rear in the air and grab it with both hands, unless you're a contortionist in which case you can kiss it good-bye:1rotfl:

[graciegirl]

Sorry for such a dumb question but what months are considered tornado season? I guess I shouldn't be so lazy and just google it :024:



I don't think it's dumb.


You may find your answer here;


Florida Tornadoes (http://www.tornadoproject.com/alltorns/fltorn.htm)

[asianthree]

If our house would have been built in 07 the tornado went right over our lot. So I am hoping we are good

[BobnBev]

I remember growing up in Ohio the advice was the southwest corner of your basement. If no basement, the southwest corner of an interior room was the safest place, if there is such a safe(r) place. I haven't the first clue as to why the southwest corner.

I was told due to the rotation, tornadoes move from S/W to N/E, so any debris will be in the N/E corner.

[graciegirl]

There has been one tornado that caused death or injury in Sumter County Florida since 1950 and that was the one in 2007.

According to the speaker at the presentation that I attended put on at the Fire Station here by the National Weather Service about being a Weather Watcher, we have tornados in this area, but not usually of the intensity of other parts of the country.

I don't think any of you should worry too much. But you can if you want to.

If you open the chart that I posted a few posts back and go to Sumter, Lake and Marion counties, you should feel some reassurance that we are relatively safe here from tornadoes.

[blueash]

Helter-skelter Where to take shelter

Bonus point for great thread title.

[dbussone]

Bonus point for great thread title.


Agreed ! And an interesting thread.

[twoplanekid]

There has been one tornado that caused death or injury in Sumter County Florida since 1950 and that was the one in 2007.

According to the speaker at the presentation that I attended put on at the Fire Station here by the National Weather Service about being a Weather Watcher, we have tornados in this area, but not usually of the intensity of other parts of the country.

I don't think any of you should worry too much. But you can if you want to.

If you open the chart that I posted a few posts back and go to Sumter, Lake and Marion counties, you should feel some reassurance that we are relatively safe here from tornadoes.

My point is not to worry people but to have everyone make note of the safest location in ones house for the possibility of a tornado. As a pilot, I have observed that weather is extremely difficult to predict and thus I can’t say a tornado will or will not hit the Villages in the future. Let’s discover that safe location when the weather is nice rather than wait until the last moment before the storm.

[Barefoot]

There has been one tornado that caused death or injury in Sumter County Florida since 1950 and that was the one in 2007. I don't think any of you should worry too much. But you can if you want to.

Let’s discover that safe location when the weather is nice rather than wait until the last moment before the storm.

I think most of us already have a safe location in mind - an inside room without windows.
However this is probably a good thread to reassure people that the chances of a tornado are slight,
but have a plan in mind just in case.
Also, a Weather Radio can be purchased at a Hardware Store.
It is very handy and can be programmed for your County by your local Firehall.

[twoplanekid]

I think most of us already have a safe location in mind - an inside room without windows.
However this is probably a good thread to reassure people that the chances of a tornado are slight,
but have a plan in mind just in case.
Also, a Weather Radio can be purchased at a Hardware Store.
It is very handy and can be programmed for your County by your local Firehall.

As the Villages is a super planned community, I would still like to hear from experts as to the best location in say a Holly/Boxwood. If our district government can’t say, maybe one of the two Village community organizations can examine the 60 or so standard builds to suggest the safest location in each for tornadoes.

[dbussone]

I think most of us already have a safe location in mind - an inside room without windows.
However this is probably a good thread to reassure people that the chances of a tornado are slight,
but have a plan in mind just in case.
Also, a Weather Radio can be purchased at a Hardware Store.
It is very handy and can be programmed for your County by your local Firehall.


It is also important to have a minimum 3 day supply of food and water (including for cooking and sanitary needs) for each person and pet in your home. It could take several days for a rescue team to get to you depending on the severity of the storm. Cell phones will unlikely work during this period so you will need to fend for yourself potentially. The Villages CERT will work with the TVPSD to support them in the search and rescue effort, but the time frame will not be like going through a fast food drive through. Keep what you need on hand for your family at all times. (I know Fireboy can give this lecture as well. )

[dbussone]

Here is your starting point: Build A Kit | Ready.gov (http://www.ready.gov/build-a-kit)

[graciegirl]

It is also important to have a minimum 3 day supply of food and water (including for cooking and sanitary needs) for each person and pet in your home. It could take several days for a rescue team to get to you depending on the severity of the storm. Cell phones will unlikely work during this period so you will need to fend for yourself potentially. The Villages CERT will work with the TVPSD to support them in the search and rescue effort, but the time frame will not be like going through a fast food drive through. Keep what you need on hand for your family at all times. (I know Fireboy can give this lecture as well. )



Every year at the beginning of Hurricane season in June I think it is, the Daily Sun runs information about safety and preparedness for a hurricane. If you stop by the closest firehouse you can be registered for the call system that alerts you to any danger, be it weather or a dangerous person who is loose.


I can well understand a person's concern about this situation and it is easy for us to forget that every year we have new people seeking this information. If you can't find the hurricane preparedness article, call or stop by The Daily Sun. It is very helpful and even lists a couple of churches that will shelter you in the face of a weather disaster.

[dbussone]

Food: Food | Ready.gov (http://www.ready.gov/food)

[dbussone]

Water: Managing Water | Ready.gov (http://www.ready.gov/managing-water)

[dbussone]

Every year at the beginning of Hurricane season in June I think it is, the Daily Sun runs information about safety and preparedness for a hurricane. If you stop by the closest firehouse you can be registered for the call system that alerts you to any danger, be it weather or a dangerous person who is loose.


I can well understand a person's concern about this situation and it is easy for us to forget that every year we have new people seeking this information. If you can't find the hurricane preparedness article, call or stop by The Daily Sun. It is very helpful and even lists a couple of churches that will shelter you in the face of a weather disaster.

And pay attention to GG's suggestions as well. This is important stuff! We have more fun here than I ever thought possible - but let's be prepared. .

[Sable99]

I thought I would go in the Roman shower in my master bath or the master closet. I have an Iris.

[rick@sundstrom.com]

Having come out of emergency management/response I have always been close to the threat assessment/mitigation stuff. The laundry room is our choice because it has a washer and dryer that should support wood beams and such. Thank you for being aware of such threats and concerned as to what actions you might take.

[pgc4340]

The local forecast for this winter season calls for more storms and a greater chance of tornadoes. As my new house doesn’t have a storm shelter or basement, where is the best place to hunker down in the house?

I know about staying away from glass windows and near supporting walls. As many of the houses in TV are similar in design, I thought there might be a recommended location for a particular house design in this planned community. The man who I contacted at the Villages Public Safety department did not know of any such recommendations.

I suggested that he talk to others about creating a plan for tornadoes that would direct Villagers to the safest location in that particular house design. As I am still new, do others know of such a study? Please don’t say that recommendations can’t be made because of liability concerns. Safety should come first.

When we built our house in The Villages in 1994, we knew that hurricane's came to Florida, but had no idea that tornadoes were a risk until after we moved in. We have a 3 bdr 2 bth house, but the only places which do not contact an exterior wall are 3 closets, 2 of which are linen closets which not be big enough for us, and would take time to get into even if they were because we'd have to removed shelves and contents. One other closet has sliding doors, so I doubt they would be secure in a tornado. If we had known about the tornado issue, we would have made changes to make at least one closet a safe room.

Ignore the recommendation of getting into a bathtub and covering your self. When the tornado hit The Villages in 2007, one thing we saw was that most bathtubs had debris in them, including heavy items like toilets. I heard one lady in another area of Florida say she started to get into her bathtub, but decided on a closet instead. She saved her life, because she would have been killed in the bathtub, but was safe in the closet.

As far as I know, there is no public storm shelter in The Villages, but there are some storm shelters available to be installed, in a garage. The problem with that, is one would have to have time to open the garage door, back the car out of the way, then get in the shelter and close it. Since there are no warning sirens here, and weather alert radios usually announce the storm about the time it is happening or has already gone through, I doubt people would have enough time to utilize the aforementioned garage shelter.

After the 2007 tornado, there was a brief attempt to start an emergency 911 reverse call system. It did not work, and we have heard nothing about it sense then.

Good luck!

[graciegirl]

When we built our house in The Villages in 1994, we knew that hurricane's came to Florida, but had no idea that tornadoes were a risk until after we moved in. We have a 3 bdr 2 bth house, but the only places which do not contact an exterior wall are 3 closets, 2 of which are linen closets which not be big enough for us, and would take time to get into even if they were because we'd have to removed shelves and contents. One other closet has sliding doors, so I doubt they would be secure in a tornado. If we had known about the tornado issue, we would have made changes to make at least one closet a safe room.

Ignore the recommendation of getting into a bathtub and covering your self. When the tornado hit The Villages in 2007, one thing we saw was that most bathtubs had debris in them, including heavy items like toilets. I heard one lady in another area of Florida say she started to get into her bathtub, but decided on a closet instead. She saved her life, because she would have been killed in the bathtub, but was safe in the closet.

As far as I know, there is no public storm shelter in The Villages, but there are some storm shelters available to be installed, in a garage. The problem with that, is one would have to have time to open the garage door, back the car out of the way, then get in the shelter and close it. Since there are no warning sirens here, and weather alert radios usually announce the storm about the time it is happening or has already gone through, I doubt people would have enough time to utilize the aforementioned garage shelter.

After the 2007 tornado, there was a brief attempt to start an emergency 911 reverse call system. It did not work, and we have heard nothing about it sense then.

Good luck!


We got warning calls all last year about severe thunderstorms and a warning that the police were chasing a bad guy. We didn't get any storm warning calls this year. Maybe there wasn't any bad storms to warn about. We signed up at the Fire Station for these calls. Anybody called this last year?

[Sable99]

Isn't there a shelter on Powell Road? I'm not in TV but I know I saw one on a north/south road and I think it was Powell. Not TV but close. Maybe you should pay more attention to the early warnings and watch the sky.

When I was in junior high a good friend and her entire family were killed in a Michigan tornado. They were riding down the road and saw a funnel. They tried to run for the ditch but didn't make it. I was scared to death of storms after that and then my Dad took me outside during a bad storm and showed me how to watch the cloud formations and sky. I've never forgotten his tips.

[SALYBOW]

I have been thinking the master bat but maybe that is not a good place.

[Jullie]

Room in the center of the house if possible with no windows and a door.

[Kazmi]

I don't think it's dumb.


You may find your answer here;


Florida Tornadoes (http://www.tornadoproject.com/alltorns/fltorn.htm)


Thanks! I did a quick scan on that site and, if I read it correctly, the only month Sumter never had a tornado was December. Not a lot of them over the years at least.

[twoplanekid]

“Florida has the dubious distinction of having a higher frequency of tornadoes per 10,000 square miles than any other state, including Oklahoma. “
Tornadoes - Florida Climate Center (http://climatecenter.fsu.edu/topics/tornadoes)

In reading the recommendations so far, I may go to the laundry room, closet near center of house or hallway between two bedrooms. I just don’t know which one I will try first. :undecided:

[golfing eagles]

“Florida has the dubious distinction of having a higher frequency of tornadoes per 10,000 square miles than any other state, including Oklahoma. “
Tornadoes - Florida Climate Center (http://climatecenter.fsu.edu/topics/tornadoes)

In reading the recommendations so far, I may go to the laundry room, closet near center of house or hallway between two bedrooms. I just don’t know which one I will try first. :undecided:

I glanced down the block early this evening---don't worry, your house is still here. (Dorothy and Toto are back in Kansas, however:1rotfl:)

[twoplanekid]

I glanced down the block early this evening---don't worry, your house is still here. (Dorothy and Toto are back in Kansas, however:1rotfl:)

Actually, my wife is down there now watching the place. She is anxiously waiting word as to what room to use in case that freight train in the sky stops by. :icon_wink:

Seriously, I still can’t believe that someone has not looked at the best/correct place to take shelter in specific houses in the Villages as everything else is so well thought out.

[graciegirl]

I would just figure out that going to an interior room with no windows would be the best chance. I cannot think of any models that don't have a walk in closet. Does your model have a walk in closet with no windows and all interior walls?

[twoplanekid]

I do have an interior walk in closet but with paper thin walls. As another suggested, the laundry room with things to help prevent debris falling on one’s head might be a better choice. Although the laundry room does have two doors which might be a negative.

[Ed Krik]

The local forecast for this winter season calls for more storms and a greater chance of tornadoes. As my new house doesn’t have a storm shelter or basement, where is the best place to hunker down in the house?

I know about staying away from glass windows and near supporting walls. As many of the houses in TV are similar in design, I thought there might be a recommended location for a particular house design in this planned community. The man who I contacted at the Villages Public Safety department did not know of any such recommendations.

I suggested that he talk to others about creating a plan for tornadoes that would direct Villagers to the safest location in that particular house design. As I am still new, do others know of such a study? Please don’t say that recommendations can’t be made because of liability concerns. Safety should come first.

This is one of the better posts on this site! Do to the fact there are no cellars in these homes and you won't have much of a reaction time, were do you go? After reading the responses I will consider the walk-in closet or the laundry room, but I will continue to follow this post for additional recommendations.

[Justus]

The local forecast for this winter season calls for more storms and a greater chance of tornadoes. As my new house doesn’t have a storm shelter or basement, where is the best place to hunker down in the house?

I know about staying away from glass windows and near supporting walls. As many of the houses in TV are similar in design, I thought there might be a recommended location for a particular house design in this planned community. The man who I contacted at the Villages Public Safety department did not know of any such recommendations.

I suggested that he talk to others about creating a plan for tornadoes that would direct Villagers to the safest location in that particular house design. As I am still new, do others know of such a study? Please don’t say that recommendations can’t be made because of liability concerns. Safety should come first.

Very intelligent and practical suggestion.

[twoplanekid]

The Wind Science and Engineering Research Center Texas Tech University have produced the most complete study that I have found on the tornadoes that hit The Villages in 2007. I would hope that the Village builders have taken some of their recommendations to heart and modified some construction techniques.

http://www.depts.ttu.edu/nwi/Pubs/Reports/D2007-02-02-Tor-SAW-Florida.pdf

[graciegirl]

The Wind Science and Engineering Research Center Texas Tech University have produced the most complete study that I have found on the tornadoes that hit The Villages in 2007. I would hope that the Village builders have taken some of their recommendations to heart and modified some construction techniques.

http://www.depts.ttu.edu/nwi/Pubs/Reports/D2007-02-02-Tor-SAW-Florida.pdf



Your new home has all of the latest Hurricane protection. The garage door, other doors and windows and the interior wood braces are built to protect you against a hurricane.

According to this thread, folks seem to say that having a wind inspection does not lower your home insurance. Read here;
https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/wind-mitigation-inspection-don-meyler-inspections-58143/?highlight=wind+mitigation

[twoplanekid]

Your new home has all of the latest Hurricane protection. The garage door, other doors and windows and the interior wood braces are built to protect you against a hurricane.

According to this thread, folks seem to say that having a wind inspection does not lower your home insurance. Read here;
https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/wind-mitigation-inspection-don-meyler-inspections-58143/?highlight=wind+mitigation

Sorry, this is part of the conclusion in the study and what they suggested might need to be addressed.

1. The first tornado was classified as an EF-3 with wind speeds of 136-165 mph. The primary Damage Indicator (DI) was One Family Residences (FR12) with an observed Degree of Damage (DOD) for a majority of the structures in the range of 3-8, with a single DOD 10 demolished structure. The homes in The Villages were site-built and were less than five years old. Their construction type varied from total wood frame; CMU with wood frame roofs; to a hybrid of wood frame and light gage metal construction. Most of the homes investigated were constructed utilizing current hurricane mitigation methods and products. These included steel straps, roof clips, hurricane glazing, and hurricane-rated overhead doors. Those homes not directly under the storm vortex suffered small amounts of roofing, decking and cladding damage. In addition to these damages, those homes near or under the vortex further suffered loss of roof structure, garage doors and walls. Two mechanisms of failure were noted relating to the severely damaged homes: (a) These homes subjected to the higher speed winds, lost glazing and garage doors, became internally pressurized which produced subsequent failure of large portions of the building structure and walls; (b) Most homes observed were not constructed with traditional frame wall ―T’s‖ and building corners which contributed to extensive loss of whole wall sections.

[graciegirl]

Sorry, this is part of the conclusion in the study and what they suggested might need to be addressed.

1. The first tornado was classified as an EF-3 with wind speeds of 136-165 mph. The primary Damage Indicator (DI) was One Family Residences (FR12) with an observed Degree of Damage (DOD) for a majority of the structures in the range of 3-8, with a single DOD 10 demolished structure. The homes in The Villages were site-built and were less than five years old. Their construction type varied from total wood frame; CMU with wood frame roofs; to a hybrid of wood frame and light gage metal construction. Most of the homes investigated were constructed utilizing current hurricane mitigation methods and products. These included steel straps, roof clips, hurricane glazing, and hurricane-rated overhead doors. Those homes not directly under the storm vortex suffered small amounts of roofing, decking and cladding damage. In addition to these damages, those homes near or under the vortex further suffered loss of roof structure, garage doors and walls. Two mechanisms of failure were noted relating to the severely damaged homes: (a) These homes subjected to the higher speed winds, lost glazing and garage doors, became internally pressurized which produced subsequent failure of large portions of the building structure and walls; (b) Most homes observed were not constructed with traditional frame wall ―T’s‖ and building corners which contributed to extensive loss of whole wall sections.


My greater worry would be of a direct lightning strike. I remember reading somewhere that the homes built in the recent five years have had upgraded wind protection but I can't find it. You might talk to warranty.


We have pictures of our interior bracing when it was being built four years ago. Here they are.

[Sandtrap328]

I was over at Crystal River and saw a company that sells tornado shelters since no one here has basements. The shelter is a concrete septic tank that you put in your garage (or behind your double-wide). They are modified from the "garden variety" septic tank in that the top is covered and there is an entrance (exit?) hatch on the side. They definitely would be heavy enough to withstand all but a direct hit - but getting into a septic tank - I don't know about that!

[Shimpy]

Your new home has all of the latest Hurricane protection. The garage door, other doors and windows and the interior wood braces are built to protect you against a hurricane.


These homes are not built to Dade County hurricane code. Dade County is the Miami area and the strictest hurricane code in the country put in after hurricane Andrew. It requires all homes must have hurricane shutters and all doors leading outside must open out, not in. There are many other requirements but you got to know we don't have that strict of a code. Our chances of experiencing a major hurricane is less than Dade County, but it only takes one.

[graciegirl]

These homes are not built to Dade County hurricane code. Dade County is the Miami area and the strictest hurricane code in the country put in after hurricane Andrew. It requires all homes must have hurricane shutters and all doors leading outside must open out, not in. There are many other requirements but you got to know we don't have that strict of a code. Our chances of experiencing a major hurricane is less than Dade County, but it only takes one.



I THINK this shows the code changes that occurred state wide in 2010, this shows different zones ;


http://www.floridabuilding.org/fbc/Wind_2010/Flyer_Wind_January2012.pdf

[twoplanekid]

To save others the trouble and for curiosity sake, I contacted FamilySAFE Certified Tornado Shelters and Safe Rooms to find out the cost of a in house shelter that could be placed in the garage. The cost is not on their web site. So, I will let you know.

The Family SAFE | Certified in-home Tornado Shelters and Safe Rooms (http://familysafeshelters.com/)

The Florida dealer's web site, which may not be current lists pricing starting around $4,000.

FamilySAFE Shelters | Storm Shelters, Flood Evacuation Vaults & Gun Vaults (http://familysafesoutheast.com/the-shelter/)

My wife, who is a little claustrophobic, might not like this approach.

[Topspinmo]

“Florida has the dubious distinction of having a higher frequency of tornadoes per 10,000 square miles than any other state, including Oklahoma. “
Tornadoes - Florida Climate Center (http://climatecenter.fsu.edu/topics/tornadoes)

In reading the recommendations so far, I may go to the laundry room, closet near center of house or hallway between two bedrooms. I just don’t know which one I will try first. :undecided:

Usually cat 1 or 2, Oklahoma you can bet a system will have 20 or 30 cat 1 or 2 trailing cat 4 or 5. Many Oklahoma tornados leave only concrete slabs (even tore the water pipes off) as wide as mile or more and has even sucked asphalt off highways. In Oklahoma you best be under ground when warning coming your way. I'll take anywhere in Florida than Moore ok. I spent 20 years in Oklahoma and when under tornado threat of any kind you take it deadly serious.

[plmtree]

My brother survived a tornado in MN by being in the tub with a blanket over him.

[twoplanekid]

Usually cat 1 or 2, Oklahoma you can bet a system will have 20 or 30 cat 1 or 2 trailing cat 4 or 5. Many Oklahoma tornados leave only concrete slabs (even tore the water pipes off) as wide as mile or more and has even sucked asphalt off highways. In Oklahoma you best be under ground when warning coming your way. I'll take anywhere in Florida than Moore ok. I spent 20 years in Oklahoma and when under tornado threat of any kind you take it deadly serious.

I agree. As the tornadoes are usually less intense although more frequent in Florida, our chances of survival/less bodily damage are very good if we chose the correct location in the house to weather the event. I wish the Texas Tech study had information on where to stay in the house. Who would have thought that this EF3 tornado would strike in February!

[Topspinmo]

If no basement or shelter? interior closet.

[twoplanekid]

My current thought is to lie down in the walk-in closet closest to the center of the house. The experts suggest throwing a mattress over the body for protection. Mine is too heavy and I am not going to take the time for this. So, I have been looking for other lighter protection mats to use. I found this tornado shield sleeping bag that sounds like a good idea but has not made it into production.
Tornado Shield helps protect against storm-flung debris (http://www.gizmag.com/tuuli-armor-tornado-shield/33726/)

Another is this storm guard blanket. As the cost is a little high I am still looking.

BODYGUARD™ by ProTecht (http://bodyguardblanket.com/)