Here we go...Toto!

[tpop1]

Technology is great....alarms going off, cell phone and home phone ringing with warning messages and I sit here on the internet with nary a care! Oblivious?

Out the window, rain going sideways, winds sounds like a train, but nothing really bad happening here.

Any other reports from within TV???

Hope all is well with everyone!

[graciegirl]

Alright in Hadley. Sure was a lot of rain and wind.

Direct TV is ON again and saying another line of storms is heading toward us.

If only I knew some of these towns and where they are.

[gardenia]

Just lots of rain and thunder in Tamarind Grove, and two phone calls from CodeRed over an hour ago saying to take cover. Weather radio went off a few times about an hour ago, but nice and quiet for some time now. I did take the warning seriously and am in my bathroom with wireless working just fine.

[ajbrown]

What storm :shrug: :jester:? Car in garage, went wireless on laptop just in case. To my eye things here is Mallory winding down. Just an old fashion front here, wind and rain, I did not see hail. Seems that red/purple front through, so I think just rain now (Alan is no meteorologist)

To all my friends in MA, I believe you get to enjoy this same front tomorrow?

[Redtail]

Just lots of rain and thunder in Tamarind Grove, and two phone calls from CodeRed over an hour ago saying to take cover. Weather radio went off a few times about an hour ago, but nice and quiet for some time now. I did take the warning seriously and am in my bathroom with wireless working just fine.

these are typical florida thunderstorm evenings. problem is too much technology and over eager reporters! its easy to get scared listening to all these warnings.

[skyguy79]

Alright in Hadley. Sure was a lot of rain and wind.

Direct TV is ON again and saying another line of storms is heading toward us.

If only I knew some of these towns and where they are.I'm here in my little corner of Hadley and all's dark, cloudy with a little bit of lightning except..... for a small ray of sunshine emanating out of the top of Graciegirl's house!
http://i253.photobucket.com/albums/hh68/Quilter7X/Smileys/Sunshinesmiley.gif

[2newyorkers]

Everything fine in Tall Trees. Did hear on FOX news that a tornado may have touched down in TV.

[Regor]

Everything fine in Tall Trees. Did hear on FOX news that a tornado may have touched down in TV.

On FOX you could hear almost anything! Can you believe any of it?

[skyguy79]

Everything fine in Tall Trees. Did hear on FOX news that a tornado may have touched down in TV.... ain't touchn' that one with a ten foot pole. Not me, no siree!
http://www.bedfordplayers.ns.ca/news/2008/200802/12010492.GIF

[VillagesFlorida]

these are typical florida thunderstorm evenings. problem is too much technology and over eager reporters! its easy to get scared listening to all these warnings.

I used to feel the same way until I witnessed the destructive effects of tornado that came through The Villages on February 2nd, 2007. Now, we pay attention and prepare. IF in the end it all seemed over-dramatized that is OK. I don't want to end up one day with my personal belongings hanging out of trees, a mile away, as was the case with the homes that were destroyed early that morning. And, perhaps if I hadn't seen the destruction for myself I might still have a lackadaisical attitude when these warnings come over the TV. For the next few hours, until the all-clear is sounded, several changes of clothes and personal belongings, including inportant paperwork, will remain in our vehicle in the garage. It seems to me to be the safest place to leave such things at a time like this.

[pooh]

I used to feel the same way until I witnessed the destructive effects of tornado that came through The Villages on February 2nd, 2007. Now, we pay attention and prepare. IF in the end it all seemed over-dramatized that is OK. I don't want to end up one day with my personal belongings hanging out of trees, a mile away, as was the case with the homes that were destroyed early that morning. And, perhaps if I hadn't seen the destruction for myself I might still have a lackadaisical attitude when these warnings come over the TV. For the next few hours, until the all-clear is sounded, several changes of clothes and personal belongings, including inportant paperwork, will remain in our vehicle in the garage. It seems to me to be the safest place to leave such things at a time like this.

I'm with you on this one, VF. I looked out from my front yard and saw Mallory....no roof when that tornado struck in Feb or 2007. Drove to my Mom-in-law's house in Sabal Chase and houses were destroyed, trees were damaged, insulation was all over the place. My weather radio has been going off all afternoon, tv is on, but there are areas where rotation has been noted at elevated levels. As a matter of fact, one of those areas was over TV this afternoon.
Had friends who were impacted by that tornado, took them totally by surprise and they were fortunate not to have been injured....roof fell on part of their house.

Florida has severe thunderstorms, Florida has tornados, being prepared is wise. People who live in other parts of the country prepare for their natural disaster events, so should we.

[ricthemic]

POLO RIDGE, nada but the wife is still in the closet with the dog

[Redtail]

I'm with you on this one, VF. I looked out from my front yard and saw Mallory....no roof when that tornado struck in Feb or 2007. Drove to my Mom-in-law's house in Sabal Chase and houses were destroyed, trees were damaged, insulation was all over the place. My weather radio has been going off all afternoon, tv is on, but there are areas where rotation has been noted at elevated levels. As a matter of fact, one of those areas was over TV this afternoon.
Had friends who were impacted by that tornado, took them totally by surprise and they were fortunate not to have been injured....roof fell on part of their house.

Florida has severe thunderstorms, Florida has tornados, being prepared is wise. People who live in other parts of the country prepare for their natural disaster events, so should we.

being prepared is one thing. scaring elderly people living alone is quite another!

[elevatorman]

Tree in road, Griffin Rd. Lake county.

[VillagesFlorida]

being prepared is one thing. scaring elderly people living alone is quite another!

I hear you, Redtail. But, I think you would rather be scared and alive than dead. I think that the media gives us time and the opportunity to protect ourselves if that is what we choose to do. There is almost nothing so scary as the thunder storms we get here. I certainly understand that living alone must only add to the anxiety level. Do what I do: Turn that anxiety and fear into something positive by preparing, so you can make it through a tornado, should one touch down. I was as busy as a beaver for a half hour, dragging stuff out to the van in the garage! I almost didn't have time to be scared! I wish you well during future storms. I think we are ALL scared, truth be known.

[Redtail]

when i first moved here some 40 years ago these florida storms scared me big time! but after a while they became commonplace. you will find their bark is much worse then their bite! if it makes you happy to react like that every time a storm roars through here you will be a happy camper!!! nuff said!

[pooh]

being prepared is one thing. scaring elderly people living alone is quite another!
All the local tv stations will broadcast continually when we have tornado warnings. The reports stay on because the storms move and other areas in their viewing area are in the zone for the storm as it moves, usually towards the Atlantic.

It's frightening to be alone when that weather radio goes off, but I'd rather know what's happening than to be taken by surprise and be injured or worse. I put tv on because the weather people are VERY SPECIFIC about where and when with these unpredictable storms. As VP said, it's better to be afraid than to be in the line of fire.

There was some damage in Lake County, there's a report on the news right now. The woman being interviewed is telling about a tree that has damaged her house....roof very damaged and rain is just pouring in.

[graciegirl]

When all three channels were showing FUCHSIA colored area and there was supposedly wind shears in 50mpr range, and they were reporting ROTATION, it was quiet in Hadley, DARK CLOUDS and no rain and not much wind. Then after a while it rained and the wind blew like crazy.

I think those meterologists need to get a little more direction..........or something. But not complaining, I can do without Tornadoes, but I do like a good hell raisin' rainstorm....

Anyway, it seems to be an ordinary rainstorm happening now and I am glad of that.

I asked Helene if she was afraid and she said "No, not when you are here". Ah the power of Mothers...

Little do our chicks know how we sometimes tremble in our boots.

[VillagesFlorida]

when i first moved here some 40 years ago these florida storms scared me big time! but after a while they became commonplace. you will find their bark is much worse then their bite! if it makes you happy to react like that every time a storm roars through here you will be a happy camper!!! nuff said!

Perhaps I need to clarify......I only make preparations like I did today when we have "tornado warnings". I DO take those seriously, after the tornado of 2007 roared through, causing much destruction. If it's a thunderstorm with no tornado warning we do the normal preparation, unplugging our electronics, staying away from windows, etc. No, it doesn't make me "happy" to react the way I do when there are tornado warnings in the area. But, I feel NOT to do so would be foolish. I am not saying there is a "right" or "wrong" way to respond to the warnings. Each of us has to decide what is "right" for us.

[Larry Wilson]

when i first moved here some 40 years ago these florida storms scared me big time! but after a while they became commonplace. you will find their bark is much worse then their bite! if it makes you happy to react like that every time a storm roars through here you will be a happy camper!!! nuff said!

Well said. I totally agree! The longer you live here, the less you get excited. I just turn off the fear pushers. Works for me.

[pooh]

When all three channels were showing FUCHSIA colored area and there was supposedly wind shears in 50mpr range, and they were reporting ROTATION, it was quiet in Hadley, DARK CLOUDS and no rain and not much wind. Then after a while it rained and the wind blew like crazy.

I think those meterologists need to get a little more direction..........or something. But not complaining, I can do without Tornadoes, but I do like a good hell raisin' rainstorm....

Anyway, it seems to be an ordinary rainstorm happening now and I am glad of that.

I asked Helene if she was afraid and she said "No, not when you are here". Ah the power of Mothers...

Little do our chicks know how we sometimes tremble in our boots.

Apparently the National Weather Service was just issuing one alert after another today. I watched WESH and it seemed they were getting updates every few minutes for a while. I'm not a big fan or tornadoes either, Gracie. After that one in Feb of 2007, I don't care how many times my weather radio goes off, I'll just be prepared. Heck, we had to be prepared for earthquakes and fires in CA, being prepared for a tornado is pretty much the same.

I'm glad Helene feels safe with you around. Even if you are quaking in your boots, I'd feel safer with you around, too.

[Francie]

Was worrying about all of you down there. Sounds like things are winding down. We up here in Buffalo feel like it's spring. -10 yesterday, 30 today. We're 40 degrees warmer than yesterday. No snow in the forecast....the Nor'easter is heading up the coast to the I 95 corridor.

[pooh]

Channel Nine is now showing a picture of a clearly formed funnel cloud that was somewhere near The Villages this afternoon. I'm looking at the picture on tv. Will look to see if I can find it to post here.

Okay, I looked and found it on WESH. The picture states it's Oxford, really close to us. People nearer the Atlantic Coast are now dealing with funnel clouds, heavy rain and strong winds. Apparently lots of wind around our area, maybe not specifically where you live, but there is downed tree damage, power lines down in Bellview, Lake County.

http://ulocal.wesh.com/_Oxford-FL-Tornado/photo/12774096/63272.html
http://i144.photobucket.com/albums/r198/psylviaod/tornado.jpg

[chuckster]

being prepared is one thing. scaring elderly people living alone is quite another!

Were all "elderly" and plan to be prepared. Also lived through the tornado that shredded parts of the villages.............wasn't prepared then but like "Villagesflorida" said I am now. Also lived in Fl 40+ years.

[K9-Lovers]

We used to live on the east coast of Virginia, and hurricanes were frequent visitors. We lived on a small island right next to the ocean. After a while you get complacent to all the hubbub and warnings and excited weather reporters . . . . until you see white caps in your front yard and railroad ties floating by. Our house survived Hurricane Isabell, but many of our neighbors' did not. We were without electricity in 90 degree weather for 11 days, but some neighbors did not get power for 6 weeks. We were declared a disaster area with the Red Cross camped on our street, and blockades to keep out rubberneckers and looters. Some houses had rip rap (big boulders along the shoreline) come through the front of their house and go out the back, followed by large ocean waves. Others had severe flooding. Others lost roofs and their homes were drenched. We found refrigerators, stoves, washers & dryers, a/c units in the streets. There were dead horses in the trees. Boats not sunk were moved by the water and ended up on dry land.

Once you experience loss and tragedy like this, you never take weather reports for granted. Tornadoes can also cause tremendous damage, and strike much more quickly than hurricanes.

Better to be prepared for the worst and pray for the best. Designate a safe room in your home and keep a stocked disaster kit there.

[NJblue]

Wow, a funnel cloud sighted in Oxford and yet my weather radio failed to issue a warning. During the entire time that the weather was at its worst and the TV stations were showing ominous radar/doppler images for this area, the weather radio continued to show a yellow light for a watch. Only after everything moved away and things calmed down did it start beeping and changed to red for a warning. Yet, last year at this time when we had a warning in the middle of the night, the radio woke us up and almost immediately we received the reverse 911 calls from the sheriff. This time ... nothing.

Any idea why there was a lack of notification this time? I would think a funnel cloud sighted in Oxford would be enough to sound all kinds of warnings.

[chuckster]

Probably because Redtail said not to "scare us elderly people living alone"..........................

[EdV]

I am grateful that the TV stations ignored the wishes of some viewers and gave us detailed updates on what this potentially dangerous storm was doing instead of showing Wheel Of Fortune or a Hogan’s Heroes re-run.

It wasn’t the TV stations that escalated this storm to the highest level of storm danger, Tornado Warning, it was our National Weather Service. And that service has spent billions of tax dollars over the years on technology to keep us better informed and prepared when there is a clear and present danger.

[VillagesFlorida]

I am grateful that the TV stations ignored the wishes of some viewers and gave us detailed updates on what this potentially dangerous storm was doing instead of showing Wheel Of Fortune or a Hogan’s Heroes re-run.

It wasn’t the TV stations that escalated this storm to the highest level of storm danger, Tornado Warning, it was our National Weather Service. And that service has spent billions of tax dollars over the years on technology to keep us better informed and prepared when there is a clear and present danger.

Very, very well said. We can watch these programs on any night of the week but we only have one chance to take cover when a tornado is bearing down on us.

[SALYBOW]

Being new to TV but not to Tornados I did everything that was suggested. I moved the lanai indoor, gathered special things including food and water and placed heavy quilts, etc. in the shower area. After it was all over we put it all back gladly Thanking God that it was not needed. Next time, I will do it all again. I am anything but an alarmist but I appreciate the way this severe weather situation was handled. It certainly beats the alternative had the weather esculated into a tornado.
I lost 30 mns of time but feel that is a small price to pay for the sense of security I felt that I had done all I could to protect myself and my precious belongings. Just MHO. The good thing is that we could all choose how much or how little we wanted to prepare. :crap2:

[VillagesFlorida]

Being new to TV but not to Tornados I did everything that was suggested. I moved the lanai indoor, gathered special things including food and water and placed heavy quilts, etc. in the shower area. After it was all over we put it all back gladly Thanking God that it was not needed. Next time, I will do it all again. I am anything but an alarmist but I appreciate the way this severe weather situation was handled. It certainly beats the alternative had the weather esculated into a tornado.
I lost 30 mns of time but feel that is a small price to pay for the sense of security I felt that I had done all I could to protect myself and my precious belongings. Just MHO. The good thing is that we could all choose how much or how little we wanted to prepare. :crap2:

I agree wholeheartedly, SALYBOW. I just now dragged back into the house all of the stuff I put in the van in the garage yesterday when the tornados threatened! I am actually thinking now that I may put together a suticase of essential clothes and personal items that I can just grab the next time. These could be clothes that we don't wear regularly or some that have seen better days. I can't imagine having a tornado destroy my home and I (if I am lucky) am left standing in the front yard wearing the only clothes I own. I will never forget seeing clothes and other personal items in the trees off Cherry Lake Rd., adjacent to The Villages, after the 2007 tornado. Will a tornado destroy my home some day? Probably not. Am I going to take that chance? Absolutely not!

[chuckster]

I am grateful that the TV stations ignored the wishes of some viewers and gave us detailed updates on what this potentially dangerous storm was doing instead of showing Wheel Of Fortune or a Hogan’s Heroes re-run.

It wasn’t the TV stations that escalated this storm to the highest level of storm danger, Tornado Warning, it was our National Weather Service. And that service has spent billions of tax dollars over the years on technology to keep us better informed and prepared when there is a clear and present danger.

I agree and could not have said it better myself.........thanks edvinmass

[pooh]

Wow, a funnel cloud sighted in Oxford and yet my weather radio failed to issue a warning. During the entire time that the weather was at its worst and the TV stations were showing ominous radar/doppler images for this area, the weather radio continued to show a yellow light for a watch. Only after everything moved away and things calmed down did it start beeping and changed to red for a warning. Yet, last year at this time when we had a warning in the middle of the night, the radio woke us up and almost immediately we received the reverse 911 calls from the sheriff. This time ... nothing.

Any idea why there was a lack of notification this time? I would think a funnel cloud sighted in Oxford would be enough to sound all kinds of warnings.

I'm not sure where you're located NJ, but my radio was screaming at me. Many of the alerts were for Marion county and if your radio isn't set for Marion county, you won't get that alert. I live near the junction of all three counties so I've got my radio set for all three ...thus the symphony of alert sounds at my house.

That funnel cloud picture was taken by an individual that sent it along to the tv station. Great picture. Haven't heard if it touched down and gained tornado status or not.

[Larry Wilson]

Pooh,
Nothing about it in the paper or on the TV. Plus Dicky said in another thread that it didn't touch down and no tornado.

[gardenia]

I am in Tamarind Grove and my weather radio indicator lights went from amber "warning" to red "watch" and stayed at red/watch for more than an hour yesterday. I also got 3 separate calls from Sumter RedAlert saying to take immediate cover - the fire station on Bonita set up my weather radio yesterday and I am guessing it's only set for Sumter county. I am thankful that I got the phone warnings and radio "watch" indicators, especially now seeing the funnell cloud in Oxford - I'd rather know I did my best to prepare and so did the weather alert system.

[Pturner]

Better to prepare for the worst and hope for the best, than be caught unaware and unprepared. Glad all is well!

[pooh]

I am in Tamarind Grove and my weather radio indicator lights went from amber "warning" to red "watch" and stayed at red/watch for more than an hour yesterday. I also got 3 separate calls from Sumter RedAlert saying to take immediate cover - the fire station on Bonita set up my weather radio yesterday and I am guessing it's only set for Sumter county. I am thankful that I got the phone warnings and radio "watch" indicators, especially now seeing the funnell cloud in Oxford - I'd rather know I did my best to prepare and so did the weather alert system.

My radio has the amber for watch and red for warning....be it tornado, thunderstorm, etc.

[graciegirl]

Better to prepare for the worst and hope for the best, than be caught unaware and unprepared. Glad all is well!

Well the aftermath was a VERY windy day, today. We played golf and you could hardly maintain an upright position on the tee.

No. I haven't been drinking.

[pooh]

Pooh,
Nothing about it in the paper or on the TV. Plus Dicky said in another thread that it didn't touch down and no tornado.

I only saw it on tv and then on the computer. It was a viewer photo and there were actually two different names associated with three pictures of the funnel cloud. I've not watched the news since yesterday afternoon. Have only seen storm damage while looking on the computer. Lots of wind damage to rooftops, fences.
It was a pretty cool picture, though, wasn't it! Glad it didn't touch down anywhere.