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Post by lavawalker on Apr 29, 2016 1:16:53 GMT
Hello all. I'm a California native who will be flying into Tulsa and driving to Springfield, MO in two weeks. Several FB friends from the midwest have been talking tornadoes. Now I'm feeling uneasy about the drive. Help, I am clueless and worried. Advice?
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pridemom
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,843 
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Post by pridemom on Apr 29, 2016 1:26:47 GMT
You'll be fine. Just check a good weather app to see if a storm system that could produce severe weather is coming through. If so, use an app that will send you alerts if there is a tornado warning.
You don't let the possibility of an earthquake stop you from driving, I hope. At least we get warnings with tornadoes.
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Post by mom on Apr 29, 2016 1:33:00 GMT
Really its not a big deal. Listen to the local weather and if it looks like something is brewing, don't drive. Stay inside.
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marimoose
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,282
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Post by marimoose on Apr 29, 2016 1:37:17 GMT
I am far less afrai of tornadoes than earthquakes. I have lived in both Oklahoma and California. As pridemom said, with tornadoes you get warnings and can see the twister but earthquakes are unpredictable. |
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Post by Zee on Apr 29, 2016 2:19:24 GMT
You'll be fine. Just check a good weather app to see if a storm system that could produce severe weather is coming through. If so, use an app that will send you alerts if there is a tornado warning. You don't let the possibility of an earthquake stop you from driving, I hope. At least we get warnings with tornadoes. 2nd this! |
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flute4peace
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,757
Jul 3, 2014 14:38:35 GMT
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Post by flute4peace on Apr 29, 2016 2:33:31 GMT
Weather spotter with a tornado phobia, here.
Knowledge is power when it comes to severe storms. Here are a couple of links for you:
NWS Tulsa forecast
NWS Springfield forecast
In the week before your trip, check out these forecasts to see if severe storms are a possibility. If they aren't, you have nothing to worry about. If they are, then you'll need to find out more details about timing, threat, etc. Some systems are very difficult to forecast, so make sure you check it regularly.
STAY AWAY FROM THE WEATHER CHANNEL. They over-hype with that stupid TORCON thing and get folks all worked up unnecessarily. The NWS is by far the most accurate. TWC had us at a TORCON of 7 for last Tuesday (70% chance of a tornado within 50 miles of the given location). The NWS equivalent for Tuesday was 10% chance. They were pretty darn accurate, too - we had a couple of cells trying to spin something up, but they couldn't produce anything more than a few funnels.
If you'll PM me or otherwise get my attention closer to your trip date, I'll be happy to check out some more sources for you.
Best advice - have a realistic tentative plan "just in case", but don't have anxiety about it. (says the girl who couldn't even eat Monday night lol) |
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freebird
Drama Llama
'cause I'm free as a bird now
Posts: 6,927
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Post by freebird on Apr 29, 2016 4:22:24 GMT
I've lived here my entire life and have only seen like 3 tornadoes. Odds are very slim you'll see anymore than some rain.
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Post by kckckc on Apr 29, 2016 15:24:44 GMT
I've lived here my entire life and have only seen like 3 tornadoes. Odds are very slim you'll see anymore than some rain. I agree. I have lived in Missouri or Oklahoma for 56 years and have never seen a tornado. |
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Post by lavawalker on Apr 30, 2016 1:39:11 GMT
I've lived in CA over 50 years, and have never had any damage from an earthquake or even know anyone who has had damage from one. However, I have cousins in MO who lost their house to a tornado, and another cousin in OK who had extensive damage to her house. I guess this is why they scare me.
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Post by lavawalker on Apr 30, 2016 1:43:04 GMT
Weather spotter with a tornado phobia, here.
Knowledge is power when it comes to severe storms. Here are a couple of links for you:
NWS Tulsa forecast
NWS Springfield forecast
In the week before your trip, check out these forecasts to see if severe storms are a possibility. If they aren't, you have nothing to worry about. If they are, then you'll need to find out more details about timing, threat, etc. Some systems are very difficult to forecast, so make sure you check it regularly.
STAY AWAY FROM THE WEATHER CHANNEL. They over-hype with that stupid TORCON thing and get folks all worked up unnecessarily. The NWS is by far the most accurate. TWC had us at a TORCON of 7 for last Tuesday (70% chance of a tornado within 50 miles of the given location). The NWS equivalent for Tuesday was 10% chance. They were pretty darn accurate, too - we had a couple of cells trying to spin something up, but they couldn't produce anything more than a few funnels.
If you'll PM me or otherwise get my attention closer to your trip date, I'll be happy to check out some more sources for you.
Best advice - have a realistic tentative plan "just in case", but don't have anxiety about it. (says the girl who couldn't even eat Monday night lol) thank you so much for all the info! I am probably going to take you up on your offer of checking in with you before I go. Thanks! |
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Post by auntkelly on Apr 30, 2016 2:23:49 GMT
You've been given great advice. The only thing I would add is make sure you know the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning.
Under a watch, you go about your business, but stay alert because conditions are ripe for a tornado to form. If there is a warning, you need to take cover immediately.
If you are on the road and your weather app alerts you to a tornado warning, pull over at the nearest exit and go inside the nearest restaurant, gas station, etc. They will direct you to the safest part of the building. I recently rode out a tornado warning in a McDonalds bathroom in a little town in OK. I soon became best friends with the thirty other people crowded into the bathroom for 45 minutes.
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Deleted
Posts: 0
Sept 29, 2024 8:14:58 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Apr 30, 2016 2:38:29 GMT
I've lived in the Midwest for 50+ years and have never been in a tornado let alone seen one. I applaud the idea of studying up on what to do (seek shelter, even if it's hanging out in a Burger King until the storm passes, but don't fret. The odds of you being in a tornado are actually very small.
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