[heavycorrosion]

Can anyone tell me if there is a danger living in TV as far as tornado's and hurricanes are concerned. We live in Alaska and visited TV 2 weeks ago and are really thinking of moving there as soon as our house sells. Thanks

[RCT]

I guess the stock answer is that anywhere one lives, there are natural acts that could harm us. Personally, I'd rather take my chances with hurricanes and tornados than freezing.

[heavycorrosion]

RCT, thanks for the reply. May I ask how long you have lived in TV? and have there ever been any tornado's or hurricanes there? also can you think of any negatives to living in TV? thank you, your input is very appreciated and will help us make a decision to move there.

[redwitch]

HC -- There was a tornado that touched down here last year. However, from what I understand in talking to long-time residents, this was truly a rare occurrence. Even so, we do get tornado warnings and watches during February and March. While I've only been here since September, I chalk them up to being in Florida, just like I did earthquakes in California. Mother nature attacks every corner of the world with something.

To give you an idea, Sumter County had 8 tornadoes between 1965-98; Marion County 37; Lake County 33; Dade County (Miami) 67. All considered, it's not that bad. Of course, when you're worrying whether a tornado will touch down and where, it's a slightly different story. Personally, I have a much bigger fear of lightning storms and Florida really does seem to the capital of lightning storms. Lucky me!

Here's a link to a thread to some of the negatives about living in TV: https://www.talkofthevillages.com/sm...ic,1643.0.html

[Sidney Lanier]

We've been here only a short time and so have not experienced anything more than 'tornado watch' on the NOAA weather alert radio. We have friends who moved close to The Villages (that is, inland) from south Florida, close to the coast, after the year of the four hurricanes, believing that inevitable Florida hurricanes would not be as challenging here.

We visit Alaska as often as we can as we love the state, though each time we are there we see reminders of the Anchorage/Turnagain earthquake (9 on the Richter scale?) Nature has 'stuff' everywhere; we have found in our brief time here, echoed by people we've met who've been here much longer, that the pluses so far outweigh the minuses that the latter are worth a nod of awareness and that's about it.

Hope this helps....

[swrinfla]

HC
I bought here only a couple of days after Hurricane Frances hit Florida, early September 2004. All my up-north friends were all the more convinced that I'd totally lost my mind!

Frances was felt nearby, for sure. My brother lives in Weirsdale, a rural community just east of TV. His neighborhood was without power for nearly a week. Meanwhile, the villa where I stayed during my pre-view visit was cool and comfy the entire time!

Power outages are few and far between here. Hurricanes make The Big News all the time, but the experts continue to tell us that our inland location (roughly 50 miles from the Gulf, maybe 75 to the Atlantic) is a strong plus, since the worst of most any hurricane is right when it hits land, not during or after it's crossing of the land! So, after several other storms after Frances, I continue to be "cool" here!

Redwitch's comments on tornados are valid, too. The one in 2007 was less than a half-mile from my house (I was in Cozumel, though), much closer than I would like, and closer than any I experienced in 45 years in St. Louis. Spooky, yes. Enough to scare me away? No way!

Come and experience the great joy of living in TV. You can always go back to the tundra in July!

SWR

[heavycorrosion]

Thank you all so much for your comments. My wife and I are begining to agree that the pluses to living in TV out number the negatives. 8)

[redwitch]

HC, a bigger hazard here are the lovebugs and we get those dang things twice a year. Driving into a swarm of them on the interstate is downright blinding and then trying to exit to clean your windshield is rather, um, er, interesting. You can't use the wipers cause it just streaks the blood. You can't see out of the windshield at all. If you try to stick your head out of the window to drive, you'll just be blasted by more bugs. Do keep window cleaner and paper towels in your car during lovebug season! A much bigger irritant and something guaranteed to happen bi-annually but a great topic of conversation.

[heavycorrosion]

Redwitch....haahahahaha that was a funny love bug story lol. what months are those?

[redwitch]

April-May; August-September. They're coming! They're coming!!!

Pluses: They don't bite, sting or cause bodily harm. Minuses: They're everywhere! If you don't wash them off your car ASAP, they will pit the paint job.

http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/MG068

[KathieI]

ewwwww. they're ugly little blastards aren't they. Blah, maybe I'll stay in L. A. no bugs here, just earthquakes...

[Donna]

...I have never been there during love bug season..

Here in Pa., we have the May Flies..I guess If we are going to live in Florida, we better get used to those little creepers.........

Rather have those than Palmetto Bugs..ewwwww

[heavycorrosion]

At least they don't bite and almost carry you off like the mosquitoes here. In June we have to run to the car and get in before they eat you alive, its awful >

[Russ_Boston]

I would never thought that about Alaska.

[redwitch]

Yup, Alaskan mosquitoes make the Wisconsin look like fleas. They are truly awful! HC, as the sayin' goes, c'mon on down! It really is pretty hard to not like it here. Heck, I'd say about 99.9% of us even love it! The occasional fear of a tornado or the urge to hide under the bed every time lightning rears its ugly head is a small price to pay for living here.