A local meteorologist once did a seminar at one of the rec centers following the tornado that hit here especially Mallory area) a few years back and showed that historically this part of florida has been pretty well insulated from the brunt of hurricane damage . of course when it comes to weather the past is not prologue for the future

Since I don't have a red hooded cape not worried about the big bad wolf. Why would you buy here if you thought your home was rickety construction?

There are a bunch of county shelters---I know of one on Powell Rd between 466A and 44A

WFTV had excellent storm coverage, which interrupted regular programming. Extremely thorough including warnings in The Villages and surrounding areas.

There are many ways to be kept aware of storm conditions and alerts. Sign up for weather alerts from near-by tv stations, Internet weather apps, phone apps and it would be wise to get a weather radio. Many who are new to this area might expect the same sort of weather alert notifications they had in their previous locations. This part of Florida has no siren alerts.....it doesn't. It is better to adapt to local systems than complain, not adjust and be in danger. We had only been here a short time when the 2007 tornado hit. Before that event, really wasn't thinking about such a device, no need for them where we lived previously. SInce then, a weather radio has been a part of our home decor and necessities. We are all responsible for staying as safe as we can in adverse weather situations and there are many ways to be alerted to dangerous conditions.

More information on Florida Tornadoes

Tornadoes - Florida Climate Center

and a video of the Villages in 2007 the day after

The Villages Tornado - YouTube

For those who miss having a basement shelter for a hurricane or tornado - there is a company in Crystal River that sells tornado shelters. They are a slightly modified concrete septic tank that you can have sitting in your garage and crawl into it when a tornado warning or hurricane warning occurs.

It probably would not stand up to a direct hit but may be safer than a closet. Keep it well stocked with wine and cookies!

If I hear of an approaching large hurricane, I am just going to pack up the golf cart with essentials (wine and cookies) and head up I-75 to Atlanta!

Not to minimize the seriousness of being prepared....but this was kind of funny....

Houses in Florida are built to withstand high winds as a result of the damage caused by Hurricane Andrew in Miami, August 1992. They used to use staples to put on tar paper prior to that Hurricane, as an example. They now use nails which penetrate the wood roof and into the attic. The building codes that came into being after that Hurricane have greatly reduced damage from wind storms and minimal Hurricanes in all of Florida.