[heavycorrosion]

Redwitch speaking of hiding under the bed.....what do you guys do when a tornado comes? I don't see any basements or storm shelters. Do you just stay in your house and hope for the best or is there a safe place everyone can go too?? I would really like to know. Thanks

[heavycorrosion]

BTW Russ_Boston, Alaskans joke about the mosquito being the alaskan state bird LOL ;D

[villages07]

HC...

There really are no storm shelters around here and you don't usually get that much notice for tornados...so, you retreat to a closet or other interior room and hope your good luck hasn't run out.

For hurricanes, haven't personally been here yet for one....houses are supposed to be built to withstand a Category 3. Time will tell.

[redwitch]

HC, do remember we are talking Florida -- the water tables are such that any tornado shelter would be under water ... a definite "how long can you tread water" thing. So, if we're really concerned, off to the closet or bathroom (any room without windows) we go. Actually, if you listen to the news, they'll tell you the weather is such that there might be a tornado that day, so you could always leave Central Florida for that period.

I was in San Francisco when we had the World Series Quake. While I don't mind quakes at all, I do understand that those not used to them are terrified at the idea of being on land that moves. I'm not a big fan of wind, so I'm not thrilled when wind can turn into big circular funnels that could suck my house up. However, I've actually become rather blase about the warnings and watches. I do watch the sky. If it turns yellow or green, then I'll probably run to the closet.

So, you trade huge mounds of snow and ice, possible earthquakes and giant mosquitoes for pretty good weather most of the time (barring nasty, vile, yucky humidity), lightning storms more times than I care to think about, an occasional threat of a tornado, high winds during hurricane season, palmettoes (large, slow moving cockroaches -- easily crushed) and lovebugs. And, of course, you get the chance to meet wonderful people, have lots to do year round and learn that getting old really is getting better.

[Gander]

We are in the same situation, and will move to TV as soon as house sells here in Michigan.
Had the same concerns about tornado's and hurricanes. After listening to everyone, it does not appear any different then Michigan. In fact a 2 tornado's touched down near us, one 3 miles from us and the other 30 miles away. So we are use to the risk and is not a deterrent to coming to TV. As for hurricanes, it appears safer in land than on the coast.

We can deal with the love bugs.

The advantages to TV over Michigan and Alaska right now are temperature and snow. Right now it is 22 degrees and we are in the middle of a snow storm and it is Easter, I rest my case. As for Alaska our youngest daughter lives and teaches in Newtok, AK. She gives reports and pictures of below zero weather and blizzards. She is young and likes it right now. Need we say more ,the sooner we get to TV the better.

[heavycorrosion]

Amen to that Gander, I cant wait to move to TV, and take my chances with tornados and such, however, I think i will try to build some sort of concrete "safe room" in my garage to wait out the storms. After seeing the destuction done to those houses in the village, I can't believe no one was killed. anyway thanks again everyone for you input.

[terpaq]

Hi, I'm heavys (heavycorrosion) wife, terpaq...I was wondering if TV would have a problem with us buying a portable safe room and putting it in our garage once we bought in TV? You wouldn't be able to see it from the street. I believe to anchor them you do have to drill into the concrete of the garage. Then if we move out of TV for some reason down the road, we would just take it with us and of course, repair the garage floor. Does anyone know if it would be ok with TV? Being Alaskans all these years we are very proactive about safety....just tend to prepare for things...I'm not big on the idea of huddling in the windowless hallway or in the bathtub...and hoping for the best...I do believe The Lord protects us (we are people of faith) but, I also believe he has giving us a brain to use. Thanks for any input. Kind Regards, Terpaq

[villages07]

terp (like the Univ of MD terrapins???),

Should be no problem with a safe room in the garage....what you do inside the house is your business, as long as you get whatever permits or licensed contractors that would be required. I met someone the other day whose house was hit by the Feb 2007 tornado...when they rebuilt, they put a safe room in their closet.

[samhass]

C'mon down. We need more cowbells...more cowbells!!!!!!!

(I love Will Farrell and Christopher Walken in that skit!)

[terpaq]

Hey,
Thanks, alot for letting me know!! I have read on the internet about people turning their closets into saferooms...esp. if it's a nice sized walk-in closet. You would just use it as one of your closets and also, as the safe room, if the need arises.
We would do everything correctly when we move to TV concerning putting it in, whether it's in the garage or closet...all the correct permits and professionally installed.
Oh, the id is just the first 3 letters of my first name and last put together.

[Mikitv]

As a TV wannabee from Ark we deal with tornado's all the time. Safe rooms are pretty much the norm around here. People build them as an additional room in their house or convert them into a dual purpose room, ie, closet etc. Good luck on your decision. I have a sister in Alaska and I am trying to convince her to move with us to TV.

[terpaq]

Thanks Mikark, we have lived up here 25 years....tired of fishing and skiing...tired of being cold ....it is really boring...your sister will probably get to that point, eventually.

I wonder if there are many ex-Alaskans in The Villages?

Oh, also I was wondering if there is a club at The Villages for spinners?...I spend alot of time spinning at my spinning wheel ....so, I'm wondering if there are any fellow spinners...and I don't mean bicycling, ha, ha...I usually spin exotic fibers , such as alpaca, silk, etc...if there are no spinners at the villages ....I guess, I will just have to teach my neighbors how to spin!!!