Tornado safety

[senior citizen]

I do realize that this is no doubt the wrong place to post this question, but I couldn't see a more appropriate section.

Question: Considering the fact that there are no basements or storm cellars in The Villages homes......and in light of the most recent devastating Oklahoma tornados plus others in the south, what are the recommendations for finding shelter in The Villages in the event a tornado was spotted in vicinity? Is there a general gathering place?

Thank you in advance to all who might answer this tornado shelter question.

[Army Guy]

Senior, the tornado question has arisen on many threads and is a concern, especially for those who are new to them. We presently live in one of the most tornado active areas in the US, that being Nroth Central Alabama. During our two tornado seasons, spring and fall, it can be very active. We have had as many as 10+ in one day. Three weeks ago we had an active day and had 4 in a 5 hour period. One was very destructive, the others smaller. With that being said, tornados are unlike anyother weather you will ever know. You get minimal warning. We have sirens that go off and maybe we get 10 minutes. UNLESS you are in a manufactured home, and most move to shelter, the absolute worse thing you want to do is driving/getting someplace. The best to do, is shelter in place. Go to your bathroom or small interior closet, take a quilt, or heavy blanket pillows, etc to help protect your head, a battery radio and your cell phone. If no room like that get under a heavy table. Do not do into a garage or near doors/windows, etc!!!! If out in your vehicle, and you see one, do not try to outrun it stop. Get OUT and seek the closest strong cover. In TV the golf cart tunnels are excellent! Protect your head, most injury/deaths from tornados is debris striking you.
Hope this helps.
Army Guy

[English Ivy]

[quote=Army Guy;264124] In TV the golf cart tunnels are excellent! quote]

I'm not too sure golf cart tunnels are that excellent. During the 2007 tornado one end of the tunnel under Buena Vista by Mallory Country Club collapsed. All those retaining wall blocks came tumbling down and blocked one end. If that were to happen at both ends you could be trapped.

Hopefully we never have another big twister through TV, but it's something to keep in mind.

[Army Guy]

Understand, however, you should not stand at an end, similiar to not standing by a window, door, etc. Need to get in the center, and I would also recommend getting on the ground and cover your head. If able to get ina fetile (sp?) positon I would do that also. By the way, I would also LEAVE the golf cart OUTSIDE!! I would not want it inside with me, as sometimes tornados can cause what is called the ventri (sp?) effect in that it can cause wind to move very fast in small places, so the cart could get blown into you or on you. That is why the old rule of if out on a road and one comes get under a bridge up top where it is narrow, as the air was found to move very fast there. The most important thing in a tornado is, you DO NOT CARE about anything other then your safety.
Also I would rather be trapped and alive and possibly unijured then the other.

Army Guy

[bkcunningham1]

Here is some reading from each of TVs three county government websites:


http://www.lakecountyfl.gov/pdfs/Public_Safety/Emergency_Management/brochures/EM_BR_HurricaneFactSheet_web.pdf


http://www.sumtercountysheriff.org/emergencymanagement/emergencymanagement.asp

http://www.marioncountyfl.org/Disaster/Tornadoes.aspx

[dillywho]

ArmyGuy is right. I come from the West Texas Panhandle, and going outside is the worst thing you can do unless you're heading to a storm shelter behind your house or live in a mobile home. Get into an inside room (no windows), preferably something like your bathtub, taking all the items he mentioned. When a monster tornado hit Lubbock in May of 1970, some of the students at one of the Texas Tech dorms were saved because they got under a sink and held on to the pipes. That one killed 26, many hurt, and left thousands homeless. Many were saved only because it occurred at 10:00 at night and most were home and had not yet gone to bed. As he said, priority is protecting your head. Even simple objects become deadly projectiles. Even though your house is rated to withstand winds in excess of say 120 mph, that is referring to straight winds as in a hurricane. Tornadoes create a vacuum and literally suck things apart.

It seems strange to me not to have the sirens. This time of year back there, they are an almost daily occurrence. Unfortunately, unlike hurricanes, you usually have only minutes to prepare, not days. When they say, "Take cover!", you take cover and don't mess around about it. If the thing never touches down...that's great and there is no harm done. A little inconvenience, perhaps, but that's all. A tornado actually hitting after a warning is totally unpredictable, it may or may not....they don't watch TV, listen to the radio, or care what the computers say. They just do whatever they do.

[graciegirl]

I am telling you BK, you sure can post useful information, fast.

Very helpful indeed. Thank you very much.

I have printed the list for Sumter County.

Many of our friends with pets will not be happy to hear that most shelters are not pet friendly.

[Barefoot]

I think a Weather Radio is essential.

When we first purchased in TV, I used to panic at Tornado Watches, but then I got used to them. Now I react immediately to a Tornado Warning. I head for the laundry room with my dogs and cat in tow. I have an "emergency kit" stashed in the laundry at all times ... bottled water, flashlight, emergency papers, etc.

As DillyWho said, when they say take cover, they mean it. If nothing happens, say a thank-you prayer.

[Rosalie]

Does anyone know if a first floor closet/bathroom etc. is safer than a second floor closet/bathroom if there is a choice timewise?

[bkcunningham1]

Rosalie, read through the information in the links I posted above. The lower the better in a tornado. An inner room, ie. a room that doesn't have an exterior wall, downstairs is best if you don't have a basement or celler.

My brother has lived in Tennessee for about 20 years. They have a laundry room in the center of their home which they keep stocked with extra blankets, pillows, battery powered weather radio, flashlights, clothes/shoes (in case they are in their night clothes when they go into the laundry room), medicine, a deck of cards, water and some food.

It breaks my heart to hear my 11-year-old niece tell me about sleeping on the floor in the laundry room when there are tornado warnings in the night. But, she is going to be like her Mom. A native of Tennessee who grew up with that type of precaution as a way of life.

[Mikitv]

I have been down south for about 14 years now and lived in Tenn and Ark where we have been in some awful tornados. Both of our houses in those areas were ranches with no basement, so we picked out an interior closet as or emergency room. I also Keep a large plastic container in there with our emergency stuff. I change out the emergency food stuff every few months and same with water. Good idea to have a list of your insurance, meds and any emergency numbers you would need. Flashlight, extra batteries portable radio, list goes on but plenty of we sites out there with information to help you.

[senior citizen]

Here is some reading from each of TVs three county government websites:


http://www.lakecountyfl.gov/pdfs/Public_Safety/Emergency_Management/brochures/EM_BR_HurricaneFactSheet_web.pdf


http://www.sumtercountysheriff.org/emergencymanagement/emergencymanagement.asp

http://www.marioncountyfl.org/Disaster/Tornadoes.aspx


Excellent preparatory advice just in the event a tornado does threaten TV.
Hopefully, The Villages will stay safe.

Thank you for all the links........especially the Sumter County Sheriff's hyperlink to the "Sumter County's Most Wanted" list. A real eye opener for sure.

All great information.

I have been down south for about 14 years now and lived in Tenn and Ark where we have been in some awful tornados. Both of our houses in those areas were ranches with no basement, so we picked out an interior closet as or emergency room. I also Keep a large plastic container in there with our emergency stuff. I change out the emergency food stuff every few months and same with water. Good idea to have a list of your insurance, meds and any emergency numbers you would need. Flashlight, extra batteries portable radio, list goes on but plenty of we sites out there with information to help you.

Many thanks for all your words of wisdom after having experienced the wrath of tornados first hand. There is nothing like advice from someone who has lived through this type of "weather".

We will take all of your advice to heart , both when we visit TV and should we eventually buy our retirement home there, which hubby is seriously contemplating as the best retirement location.

Senior, the tornado question has arisen on many threads and is a concern, especially for those who are new to them. We presently live in one of the most tornado active areas in the US, that being Nroth Central Alabama. During our two tornado seasons, spring and fall, it can be very active. We have had as many as 10+ in one day. Three weeks ago we had an active day and had 4 in a 5 hour period. One was very destructive, the others smaller. With that being said, tornados are unlike anyother weather you will ever know. You get minimal warning. We have sirens that go off and maybe we get 10 minutes. UNLESS you are in a manufactured home, and most move to shelter, the absolute worse thing you want to do is driving/getting someplace. The best to do, is shelter in place. Go to your bathroom or small interior closet, take a quilt, or heavy blanket pillows, etc to help protect your head, a battery radio and your cell phone. If no room like that get under a heavy table. Do not do into a garage or near doors/windows, etc!!!! If out in your vehicle, and you see one, do not try to outrun it stop. Get OUT and seek the closest strong cover. In TV the golf cart tunnels are excellent! Protect your head, most injury/deaths from tornados is debris striking you.
Hope this helps.
Army Guy

Thank you again for your very excellent instructions to newbies who have not yet experienced the wrath of a tornado. A frightening thought to say the least.

Your own personal experience speaks volumes and we will remember them if we ever find ourselves in the middle of a tornado warning........or worse case scenario......with no warning. Appreciate all the advice.

ArmyGuy is right. I come from the West Texas Panhandle, and going outside is the worst thing you can do unless you're heading to a storm shelter behind your house or live in a mobile home. Get into an inside room (no windows), preferably something like your bathtub, taking all the items he mentioned. When a monster tornado hit Lubbock in May of 1970, some of the students at one of the Texas Tech dorms were saved because they got under a sink and held on to the pipes. That one killed 26, many hurt, and left thousands homeless. Many were saved only because it occurred at 10:00 at night and most were home and had not yet gone to bed. As he said, priority is protecting your head. Even simple objects become deadly projectiles. Even though your house is rated to withstand winds in excess of say 120 mph, that is referring to straight winds as in a hurricane. Tornadoes create a vacuum and literally suck things apart.

It seems strange to me not to have the sirens. This time of year back there, they are an almost daily occurrence. Unfortunately, unlike hurricanes, you usually have only minutes to prepare, not days. When they say, "Take cover!", you take cover and don't mess around about it. If the thing never touches down...that's great and there is no harm done. A little inconvenience, perhaps, but that's all. A tornado actually hitting after a warning is totally unpredictable, it may or may not....they don't watch TV, listen to the radio, or care what the computers say. They just do whatever they do.

More GREAT information. I can only imagine the fear you've actually lived through.........will take your advice to heart as well. WELL WRITTEN. Excellent explanation of the "fury" of a tornado. Thankyou.

I think a Weather Radio is essential.

When we first purchased in TV, I used to panic at Tornado Watches, but then I got used to them. Now I react immediately to a Tornado Warning. I head for the laundry room with my dogs and cat in tow. I have an "emergency kit" stashed in the laundry at all times ... bottled water, flashlight, emergency papers, etc.

As DillyWho said, when they say take cover, they mean it. If nothing happens, say a thank-you prayer.

The weather radio is something my husband totally agrees with.
Thanks for the info. Definitely bottled water. Lets hope TV never sees another tornado.

[BUC]

Pulix Grogery stores are designed to withstand type 3 Hurricane force If I were near one that's where I'd go.

PUBLIX sorry I can't speel this morning

[senior citizen]

[quote=Army Guy;264124] In TV the golf cart tunnels are excellent! quote]

I'm not too sure golf cart tunnels are that excellent. During the 2007 tornado one end of the tunnel under Buena Vista by Mallory Country Club collapsed. All those retaining wall blocks came tumbling down and blocked one end. If that were to happen at both ends you could be trapped.

Hopefully we never have another big twister through TV, but it's something to keep in mind.

Good to know the "potential" for even more disaster if those retaining wall blocks crumble down on top of someone inside the golf cart tunnels.

Are they cemented together? When we had a retaining wall built up here in Vermont, they actually are not cemented, but just placed on top of each other. I think only the capstones were cemented.

However, it's a lot different to have an un cemented retaining wall simply holding back a hilly section of the lawn.....vs a tunnel that people travel beneath.......so probably they are cemented, just couldn't withstand the strength of the tornado.

Cinder blocks cemented or mortared together is what I mean. But I assume no matter where one was outdoors, if a tornado really was coming at you, no place outdoors is really safe. Not sure what the golf tunnels are made of.

Vermont rarely, if ever, gets a tornado and if it does, it is pretty mild and just called straight line winds which can take a roof off of a house......however, not too long ago, in our bordering state of Massachusetts, in the Berkshire Mountains, a school teacher was driving some students in a van when out of the blue a tornado came through and literally picked up his van and threw it across the road , landing in a field......the teacher and students were all killed.

That was a very very rare event. This was really a fluke of nature as it isn't something anyone worries about up here..........but even our weather has been changing, and not for the good. Snow due today in higher elevations........in May. We had our May weather in March and April. Go figure. It also snowed on Mother's Day in northern Vermont.

Pulix Grogery stores are designed to withstand type 3 Hurricane force If I were near one that's where I'd go.

Another good suggestion.........supermarkets, high school, hospital????

If there was adequate warning. Often there is not, from what I've read.

[Army Guy]

For tornados, large structures are not the safest place. They may be rated for hurricanes as others have posted, but tornados are not straight winds, they rotate, create a vortex, and s u ck! Those large roofs offer little protection in a tornado. Nothing like them, once you personally see one and the destruction, you can not EVER forget it. That town I mentioned in an earlier post, that was completely destroyed, I still ride through it every day, Ragland, AL, and at this one place, where after the tornado passed, the Salvation Army had one of their trucks set up for coffee, etc. It wa son a circular driveway, that is all that was left. Well of course now the house has been rebuilt, but everyday I still can see in my mind that truck set up there! And trees? Where in a hurricane they are just blown down/over, remember in the King Kong movies where he tears the trees apart, you know rips them off, that is what a tornado does. The stumps are there, but the rest is ripped off. Like I said, nothing like them. I have been to combat zones, etc in my career, they don't scare me like a tornado.

Army Guy

[fgrider]

I beleive that I read somewhere that going into and interior closet was not a good idea if it had a hatch to the attic and was wondering if anyone knew if this was true. Also this may be a stupid question but does anyone know if the AC vents being in every room would be considered an opening?
Thanks for any replys.

[graciegirl]

In Ohio there are definitely more tornado watches and warnings at this time of year. We are used to seeing them posted frequently. Does this apply to only the midsection and the south or is it a national thing? I don't think I have heard of Tornado damage in California and Oregon, or did it just not register?

How about the east coast? Or do you just get Hurricanes?

[dillywho]

I beleive that I read somewhere that going into and interior closet was not a good idea if it had a hatch to the attic and was wondering if anyone knew if this was true. Also this may be a stupid question but does anyone know if the AC vents being in every room would be considered an opening?
Thanks for any replys.

The hatch shouldn't really matter because you are actually trying to avoid rooms with windows to escape glass and other debris. As has been stated before, tornadoes create a vacuum and suck structures apart. In tornadoes, you want to be as close to the ground as you can possibly get. In fact, underground is even better (storm cellar or basement if the basement construction is such that it will not allow the house to collapse on top of you). If you cannot get underground, you want to be in an interior space to avoid windows and flying debris. When we would have tornado warnings in TX during school hours, they would usher us all into the goundfloor hallway where we would sit against the wall with our heads tucked down and our arms over them. The worst place in the school was the gym or cafeteria. Tornadoes do not respect brick, cinder block, or wood. I still have pictures of the Lubbock tornado in '70. Major devastation! One house (brick) stands out in my mind, because all that is left is the foundation and the water heater. In some cases, metal was wrapped around trees without even scratching the tree. Some of the wood houses fared far better than the brick/cinder block ones. Tornadoes are weird in that they seem to be almost selective. One house can be totally destroyed while the one next door is virtually untouched. If you remember the one here in Feb. of 2007, that was the case.

[dillywho]

For tornados, large structures are not the safest place. They may be rated for hurricanes as others have posted, but tornados are not straight winds, they rotate, create a vortex, and s u ck! Those large roofs offer little protection in a tornado. Nothing like them, once you personally see one and the destruction, you can not EVER forget it. That town I mentioned in an earlier post, that was completely destroyed, I still ride through it every day, Ragland, AL, and at this one place, where after the tornado passed, the Salvation Army had one of their trucks set up for coffee, etc. It wa son a circular driveway, that is all that was left. Well of course now the house has been rebuilt, but everyday I still can see in my mind that truck set up there! And trees? Where in a hurricane they are just blown down/over, remember in the King Kong movies where he tears the trees apart, you know rips them off, that is what a tornado does. The stumps are there, but the rest is ripped off. Like I said, nothing like them. I have been to combat zones, etc in my career, they don't scare me like a tornado.

Army Guy

:agree:They scare the devil out of me, too. Until you have been there, up close and personal, you just cannot wrap your mind around what happens, can you? I'm much more afraid of tornadoes and lightning than hurricanes.

[BUC]

I guess one option is to Stick your head between your legs and KISS your ---
good bye. That's not funny

[SNOK]

From a current Oklahoma resident, but to be a permanent TV resident before the end of the year, the advice to stay inside in an interior room is correct. Have blankets and pillows or a mattress to cover yourselves and protect as much as possible from flying debris. Try to wear shoes and clothing even at night. If there is a hit, you may have to wade through ruble to get out. A direct hit on even a well constructed residence may completely destroy the structure, so there is no guaranteed way to protect yourself 100% if in the direct path of a large tornado - unless you have access to a tornado shelter. Generally, a house with a good foundation is better than a mobile home, but still no guarantee. In Oklahoma, we expect them this time of year - especially in early May. We don't have a tornado shelter in our Oklahoma home, but if we were planning to stay in Oklahoma, we would definitely have one of the new bolt down steel shelters installed in our garage. Even then there have been F4 & F5 tornados in Oklahoma that have completely demolished large, well-built homes to the point that only the foundation remains. So, I don't know if a bolt down shelter would even be enough in a direct hit from an F4 or F5. You just have to do the best you can. Life's risks are many, and one cannot avoid them all - not even in a paradise like TV.

[K9-Lovers]

I still ride through it every day, Ragland, AL,
Army Guy

Army Guy -- we just moved from Ohatchee to TV a few weeks ago. We were in the part of Ohatchee right at the Southside line, near the Neely Henry dam, and the road that leads to Ragland. We only lived in AL for 3 years, so missed the tornado.

Before that, we were on the east coast / chesapeake bay in Virginia and have had experience with hurricanes. Tornados are much scarier not only because of the damage they cause, but because you have no forwarning like you do with a hurricane.

[Boomer]

Tornadoes hit Cincinnati once in a while.

One night, many years ago, one hit while Mr. Boomer was out of town. It did not hit our house, but it was relatively close.

My dog warned me it was coming. (Remember how Lassie would always let them know about dangerous stuff.)

It was getting to be about time to go to bed. I had not had the television or radio on and had not heard any warnings at all.

I turned out the lights, went upstairs, and was getting ready to get some sleep. But my Brittany Spaniel could not settle down. (Her bed was on the floor next to our bed.) She just kept pacing and pacing and even a little panting. It was not the kind of thing that she did when she needed to go out. This was a different kind of pacing.

For some reason, I turned on the television in the bedroom where I saw our local weather guy with his big map and he was saying, "Go to cover! NOW!"

We went to the basement and we stayed there for a long time.

So if your dog is trying to tell you something, and it sounds like she is trying to say, "Timmy's in the well," or something similar, please pay attention and do what your dog thinks you need to do.

Boomer

[NJblue]

We don't have a tornado shelter in our Oklahoma home, but if we were planning to stay in Oklahoma, we would definitely have one of the new bolt down steel shelters installed in our garage. Even then there have been F4 & F5 tornados in Oklahoma that have completely demolished large, well-built homes to the point that only the foundation remains. So, I don't know if a bolt down shelter would even be enough in a direct hit from an F4 or F5.
I have seen these types of shelters marketed in the TV area for those interested.

Does anyone know the relative size of tornadoes that hit Florida? It was my impression that they generally do not get to be the monster tornadoes that afflict other parts of the country. Is this correct?

[SNOK]

I am really hesitant about making any more posts about tornados. After my post of yesterday, we were just barly missed this morning around 4:30am by a few yards to our north here in Tulsa. Lots of structural damage to many homes and buildings, trees down and power outages, but, as far as I know now, no injuries. It lasted abut 5-10 minutes. The meteorologists say it was strong strait winds of 90+ mph and a small tornado. The near miss left our home undamaged, only a few tree branches down. Hopefully, posting on the subject is not a jinx. Although Oklahoma is a good place to live, we will not miss the springtime storms.

[ricthemic]

Just wondering... how about a poured concrete with re-bar five X five x six foot room (walls,ceiling, heavy duty steel door with a very small steel two position damper to allow for air changes if you are in there too long but from what I hear tornadoes go by pretty fast as opposed to hurricanes).
Could be installed in the garage could be used for storage (light stuff that could be chucked out quickly). I would also consider converting my walk in closet. I don't think we are talking about that much money considering the alternative. Probably cheaper than a new bird cage.

[oot]

The weather channel had some good information on shelters and there were a couple of more links within the article. http://www.weather.com/activities/homeandgarden/home/hometips/severeweather/tornado_shelters.html T

They also had a segment in their "weatherproof" series where they tested a shelter from F-5 storm shelters. That one seemed to work quite nicely during their test, and I know there are many other types as well.

I just wonder if they will let you install one if you decide to build a home, or if they would let you put one in an existing home (most likely in the garage?)....