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.

What is the purpose of duct taping vise grips and hand saws ?

Re; duct tape-vice grips and handsaws
 

You can fix most anything with them.
If, I recall one of the space potential disasters was repaired with duct tape. Not sure if they had the other two..

From the video feed of the town squares, it just looks wet. Not too much wind... That would be good :a040::coolsmiley::bigbow:

The storm (?) has passed nothing happened. Just checking in....:duck:

Great news, thanks! :clap2::MOJE_whot:

Duct Tape turns me on! Many uses indeed!

Large zip ties are very handy for many uses as well!

Now is not the time to panic.

:shocked: :1rotfl:

It must have been more of a storm else where as we had what amounts to showers and a few rumbles....typical FL afternoon rain.

Sometimes the weather graphics can be a bit over whelming.....however, we don't second guess the warnings and prepare for the worst and sigh with relief when the results are less than forecast!

I was more concerned about the potential for a tornado watch. And then, there were reports of *actual* tornadoes, some of which were confirmed. And then there was an actual tornado watch. It doesn't have to be raining, in order for a tornado to touch down. It doesn't even need to be all that windy before the tornado forms.

We rarely get tornadoes here. But we always take them seriously.

But, but what about tomorrow for Scooter at LSL..??

////////

Hopefully, anyone living in a manufactured home, doesn't waste any time getting to a good shelter...even if it's just a 'tornado watch.'

Because statistically, you're in much more danger (even if it's tied down) being in one during even high winds...much less a tornado. :(

https://www.modulartoday.com/mobilehomes.html




It does remind me of an old joke though.


"How are a tornado and a deep south divorce alike?

"Someone is guaranteed to lose a trailer."



:1rotfl:

Welcome to Central Florida. That little thunderstorm yesterday was nothing. Get yourself a weather radio when you move here, and get ready for the alerts during the summer.

At least their prediction was right....it rained.

I put on my pair of red sparkling shoes, grabbed our dog Toto and watched out the window. It was gone in a couple of hours.

Now I know where all of Chicken Little's family settled.

You know something, I have to agree with you. The first two years we would be freaking out. I bought a Weather Radio and put about 6 different weather notifications on my phone. Between all of them and watching TV we were frazzled.

Talk to Florida People who are Natives. They prepare but don't worry.

There was a comment the other day about everyone in Manufactured Homes to seek shelter immediately. Figure 4000 +/- Homes in the Historic Section, Water Oaks, Rolling Acres RV. Where are the places to take all those people and others that I don't know about and did not include in that list?

I've been self-promoted from Chicken Little/Baby Huey to almost a full-fledged Floridan, maybe another couple of years. All you have to do is be prepared.

I'm lacking with the generator because of being not lazy but not really motivated. We are ready in every other way. Even Flood Insurance.

thank's for your post, I feel better now. :mademyday:

Most of those 4000 manufactured homes were built prior to 1995 and guess what - they are still standing. Can't imagine the percentage of homes in Florida that are manufactured homes - still standing. If you want to know the real difference between site built and manufactured homes ? A large percentage of manufactured homes are second homes and people are not here in the hurricane season. Out of sight out of mind. Given the chance even with a site built home I would still head to a fire house if it were me. They are equipped with generators and provisions for emergencies. When the tornado hit TV was it not the site built homes and country clubs that suffered the damage ? Not one manufactured home in TV was totaled that I know of. The sky is falling - THE SKY IS FALLING.

BINGO! I am not suggesting that anyone stay in their Manufactured Home during a Whopper Storm of any kind. Imagine the little gang that we hang with. During Irma, only one other couple bailed out. So 14 outta 18 stayed. They called me unkind names but since I'm a Flamethrower I graciously accepted the payback that I guess I deserve. It was rough with no power but if it wasn't for that I guess we dodged a bullet.

Remember GE a beloved Poster on TOTV'S for many moons and a pretty smart dude? I asked what was he going to do? He said I'm in the same boat as you Nucky I'm relatively new and having a rough time deciding. He invited me to come down and wipe out everything we could grill at his house. By that time we were several hours into the center of Georgia in a friend's Moms home where we thought we were living in a Movie Stars house, spectacular. Southern charm and very calming people.

We will make the call going forward based on Tuccillo's Forecasting if he's still into it because I trust him more than the TV or weather radio. If it feels like we should bail out get in line cause I'll lead the way. It's gotta be a whopper though.

I'm not leaving for a Tornado Warning. Period. If we're gone it's been a great ending for sure. :ho:

If it's a tornado warning, you won't have time to really go very far. Just to the nearest fire department building or other sturdy structure. For a tornado watch, you have time to prepare. But you wouldn't leave town for a tornado watch anyway. They're over too quick. Hurricane watches and warnings are a whole nother story. I've endured a few of each living up here in New England, and was actually chased down the road by the tornado that destroyed part of Hamden, Connecticut while I was driving to the ice cream shop. I didn't notice it was there til my rear view mirror turned greenish. I looked over my shoulder and it was touching down maybe 20 yards behind me, and carrying pieces of trees and someone's car bumper with it. I was VERY fortunate to have noticed and turned off into the ice cream shop's driveway when I did. The power went out on the whole street before I even opened the car door, and the tornado ripped all the telephone poles out of the ground as it passed by.

That is why I take these things seriously. It sounds like it's all a big joke to everyone here. But when I asked what you all do to prepare, it was a serious question.

WHEN the time comes that you feel you need to have prepared for a tornado, living in the Villages, what are those preparations? Is there any kind of plan in the communities for when the power goes out in the whole neighborhood? Who does the cleanup, and who pays for it? I've never lived in a home that had no cellar. That would normally be where we'd go in case of a tornado, up here.

Do people really have generators? If so, where do they keep them? Where's the nearest gas station that has diesel fuel?

People in my general area have Generac’s. Installed in one day. Quiet, beautiful, does the entire house and expensive. We are thinking about getting one that an handle the Fridge, Room A/C, Internet & TV. Probably at the last minute. Just being honest.

It's unrealistic for people to go running to the nearest fire station every time a tornado warning/watch is issued. In addition, depending on the particular fire station, your home might be more safe/sturdy. My plan is to shelter in place, in a closet at our home.

Some people have whole house generators, and many others have portable ones, which they keep in the garage. There is no shortage of gas stations which sell diesel.

We had one in CT. Best investment I could have made. Lost power in the winter, but we were warm, cozy and all lit up.