There’s one topic that always seems to be hot in the minds of anyone looking to move to Oklahoma. Maybe it starts when we’re kids, watching the classic ‘Wizard of Oz‘ or maybe it’s the images on the news, and the unknown that fosters the fear. Whatever the cause, it seems that almost every buyer I’ve ever worked with, who’s relocating here from out of state, has had a very healthy fear of tornadoes.
It’s actually the second thing out of their mouths many times. “How are the schools here” is often followed with “Does this house have a tornado shelter?” I can’t say I blame them. It’s probably the same apprehension I’d be feeling if I were moving to LA, after seeing earthquakes and riots on the news for all these years.
Truth is though, tornadoes aren’t nearly as frequent here in Oklahoma as it may seem from the outside looking in. Sure, every spring is ‘Tornado Season’ and we get the buzzing watches and warnings on the screen about every day or two, but more times than not, we get false warnings, or alerts from out in the sticks. Let me put it this way; I’ve lived in the metro area my entire life. Of that 29 years (OK, I lied, it’s 36 years), I’ve been in the crouching position during a tornado twice. One other time, I got in the car and headed South, far from the path of the impending twister.
See, that’s the beauty of the whole thing. While Oklahoma is known for severe weather, which includes tornadoes of course, our warning systems are the most advanced in the world. Did you know that the National Weather Service is actually headquartered in Norman, Oklahoma? This state is actually the crème de la crème when it comes to meteorologist work. The weather guy you watch on TV each night probably dreams each night about landing the BIG job in Oklahoma. Anyway, because of that, we have the best meteorologists, and the best actual tornado detection systems in the world, so we have plenty of warning almost every time. From what I’ve seen, the more fatal twisters are usually in areas that have poor detection systems, so nobody has time to prepare.
So, here’s the deal; I’m not saying you shouldn’t fear tornadoes, and I’m in no way a weather expert of any kind, but based on my experience, I can tell you that if you live out of state, you probably have it built up much worse in your mind than it is in reality. A healthy fear is good, but don’t let it scare you too much.
So, on to the fun part. I love wikiHows. I learn a lot from keeping up with them, and I stumbled across one today about how to prepare for a tornado. I thought this would be a valuable thing to share with you, my readers, just in case you’re ever caught in one. I hope you find it useful, but never actually have to use it, and I hope I’ve helped calm at least a few of your fears of twisters.
About Ryan Hukill
Ryan ~ this is very interesting. Colorado isn't known for tornadoes (in the Denver area) but I saw one a few years ago. It wasn't a funnel shape so dumb me didn't even know I was watching a tornado until I got in the car and turned on the radio! It was a square patch of dark, nasty looking clouds. How was I to know! It did destroy a builder's trailer I later learned.
Guess we all have to be prepared for disaster in any shape…
KK, thanks for visiting. It's amazing where twisters turn up sometimes! You re-emphasized my point here, in that it seems to me that it's the areas that are unfamilar with tornadoes that are most in danger, simply because there's not much warning or awareness of what they are or the danger of them.
Yes you are right Ryan. Ignorance is the worst thing. Proof of that happen with the tsnami. The folks could have run had they known. Too late we get smart…
KK, that's a great example. I think sometimes denial may play into it a little too.
Great blogpost, thanks loads!