Mid-April storm coming
 

Batten down the hatches! What are folks doing to prepare for this? Lots of talk on The Weather Channel about it being a real humdinger with the Villages being directly impacted by it. It's coming up off the Gulf coast and carries the potential for tornadoes (but they aren't going so far as to actually predict any yet).

Irma was good preparation 😁

First thing to do is never wait until the eve of a storm to prepare, always be ready well in advance, many government websites have recommendations on what you should always have on hand in case of any emergency, not just a storm.

Actually I don't think they 'predict' tornadoes...like they do hurricanes for example. They give a Tornado Watch if conditions are right for tornadoes. And then they give a Tornado warning if one actually forms.

You're right. I misspoke. Regardless the live report I was watching earlier was that it was too early to determine the conditions necessitated either watch or warning, only that the conditions seemed to be heading in that direction of severity.

But knowing that a watch -could- come some time before 4pm, are there any special steps you're taking now, "just in case" the watch actually comes?

AAA weather forecast system already issued a tornado watch for several counties until 4 PM today.
Sumter was one of the counties.!

#1 if you are in a mfg home be prepared to leave and seek shelter elsewhere.

Wow! I checked the radar and the system moving through will be so strong.

Bold is mine, for emphasis. Be careful, neighbors!

Everyone take good care. It does not look like it will last long, but it looks intense. today 11:30 - 1:30 this worst ? I think ..

What to do
 

Take a look around your property-secure anything that might fly.
If, you think it is too heavy to fly-you are wrong.
Put needed stuff in a good safe place-meds-water-food.
Flashlight-candles-batteries-coleman-lanterns-fuel-mantles.
Duck tape-vise grips-hand saw.
WHY CAN'T I FIND THE STAIRS TO MY BASEMENT????

GOOD LUCK TO ALL

I think you left the stairs to the basement in the family room over the garage. Get down into the storm cellar quick!

(And stay safe folks!)

Hey folks - just in case there IS damage to homes in TV as a result of this storm, it'd be great to have y'all "check in" on this thread if you're able (or if your power or the cell phone towers are out, then as soon as you're able) so everyone knows you're okay.

I'm still in Connecticut. My neighbors have my phone number if they need to tell me my house has blown away (and hopefully they'll be safe and able to do just that, if needed!)

:what:

"Check in" - in context: often when a disaster hits, various social media communities get together and help with recovery by offering a "check-in" option. So family and friends know that the victims of a hurricane-destroyed area, or tornado, or flood, or fire, are alive and safe.

Very popular on Facebook and Twitter, Instagram, and hundreds of internet fora around the internet.

It's a community thing. People helping people even if they don't actually know each other offline.