How cold is the winter temps??? (how much, high school, tornado)

[nashvols]

Originally Posted by Mi shots

Still scary. I think I might have to consider building a safe room for peace of mind. I think the night time tornadoes would freak me out the most.

If it bothers you a lot, look for a house with a basement. They're not very common (especially with new construction), but do exist. And buy a weather radio.

[N.Cal]

Originally Posted by Mi shots

Still scary. I think I might have to consider building a safe room for peace of mind. I think the night time tornadoes would freak me out the most.

Yea, nothing like the alert on the phone going off at 2:45 AM with tornado sirens and living in an apt. with no where to go.

I grew up in Kansas so know tornadoes, but I'd take my chances with California earthquakes over tornadoes.

[CountryGirl2b=]

You can sign up for weather alert, which will call or text you about severe storms or tornado warnings - you can customize for what you want to be alerted about. We also have tornado sirens. ALSO Nasvols is right that you just have to turn on the TV and it will show you which INTERSECTION is under threat. The local TV stations are great about tracking these storms (or annoying as they cut into ANY TV show - football games that are tied with 2 minutes to go . . . big finales . . . Oprah . . . ).

Yes, you can get a shelter built, possibly. But you can also look for a house with the perfect safe place. A closet under the stairs. An interior ground floor bathroom with no windows. I have a friend whose house is on a hill (not on the top) and he figures tornadoes like flat areas. Who knows!

Seriously, odds are slim. The first year here we took every warning very seriously but then we started watching TV and we knew the area so it was easier to say 'Oh, the warning is out by the airport' and that's 15 miles from here.

We moved from CT. I see there were THREE tornadoes there this summer:

Three Tornadoes Hit Conn. Monday | NBC Connecticut

Every part of the country has a quirk - tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, sink holes, snow storms, bitter cold, locusts!!!

[NARFALICIOUS]

For me it has been T-shirt weather in Middle TN all year.

[citymama]

Yes, the first year is hard with regards to getting used to severe weather. The day we moved in, the sirens started going off and I figured I better get the kids used to going in the closet. We sat there while the
movers continued unloading. They definitely had a good chuckle over the whole scene.
You'll learn weather terms like hook echo and others that I've since forgotten. Get a NOAA weather radio and pack a 4 day emergency supply kit to keep in your safe place. No where you'll stop if you are on the road. I know a lot of native Nashvillians who don't wake up or notice during severe alerts. Lol. I'm too much of a worry wart so we stood guard at the TV during storms. If we would've stayed, I would've spent the money to build a shelter in our garage. The basements in the area are tricky--- most aren't truly underground, but built into a side of a hill, so you need to really research where the safest spot would be.

[Mi shots]

I'm not kidding when I say I didn't sleep and have an upset stomach with craps all morning. I'm sure I will be just like you citymama, hiding and terrified. UGH!!!! I too am a worry wart.

I'm worried about the drive down for my boys. They both will be in their own cars alone. My youngest has never really driven any kind of long distance. Older one has more experience from traveling back and fourth to college 5-6 hour ride.

I need to breathe and meditate. All is good, right???

[DonCorleone]

Originally Posted by CountryGirl2b=

Every part of the country has a quirk - tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, sink holes, snow storms, bitter cold, locusts!!!

This.

It's just a matter of what threat you want to live with. And at least with tornadoes, there's usually advance warning. Not so with earthquakes. Or locusts.

I'm sure there are many people who are crippled with fear when it comes to severe weather, but honestly as long as you're smart about it and respect the weather, there's really no reason to live in fear. Buy a weather radio as mentioned. Sign up for text alerts. Make a plan of what to do in case. Familiarize yourself with your area (so when the weatherfolks are calling out specific areas you know where you are in relation).

[BirdieBelle]

Originally Posted by Mi shots

I'm worried about the drive down for my boys. They both will be in their own cars alone. My youngest has never really driven any kind of long distance. Older one has more experience from traveling back and fourth to college 5-6 hour ride.

You really should do some practice runs with the youngest, maybe going an hour one way and then back, allowing him to navigate various interstate interchanges etc.


People drive on the interstate here like they're trying to win the Sprint Cup.

[nashvols]

Originally Posted by Wmsn4Life

People drive on the interstate here like they're trying to win the Sprint Cup.

Eh, it's not as bad as I've experienced in other cities.

People do, regardless of speed, do some pretty dumb things, like multiple lane changes, and pulling in front of faster cars, or where they don't have room.

We have a lot of slow drivers, too...people who do 55-60 in a 70 zone. I would guess there are as many of those (or more) than do 85+.

Now in Atlanta, during non-rush hour, I've done 90 mph through the connector...which was roughly the flow of traffic. Same can be said for stretches in South Florida.

[BirdieBelle]

I guess it's relative. One of my 17-year-olds won't go on the interstate. He gets pretty creative with alternative routes.