I witnessed the aftermath of the Oklahoma twisters of '99 and while one of the biggest ever recorded, I don't believe it took as many lives as the Tuscaloosa twister did. I don't know but I heard today form one of my patrons that it was said that most Alabamans don't have basements or cellars. I do know that many, many Okies have what is called storm cellars if no basements. Besides the suddenness of the twisters, is this the reason for the huge death count? I also heard that there were plenty of warnings issued, but it didn't make that much difference.
Have people become numb to the tornado warnings? Watches are posted that last for hours and like today here in WS, we had a tornado watch until noon, yet after 10:00, the skies were as clear as could be. I do realize that what you see in the skies is no omen, but unless something actually happens, people are going to be skittish about the watches and then when people who live in a warning area don't see a storm, it gets worse.
Growing up in the tornado belt in Oklahoma, I was forever rousted out of bed in the middle of the night because of the siren and running to one of the neighbors storm cellar. Us kids would of course be confined to the safety of the cellar while the adults would stand up the stairs and watch the skies. But get this, I have lived for over twenty years in the heart of tornado alley and other places in the country that are prone to have the big storms, but try as I try, I've yet to see one in person...or I should say that I've not seen one up close and personal. "But wait, I have lived up close and person though one when I was out on my route. It was a small F0, but wheh it went over the house that I was standing on the front porch, I might have stained my shorts but I did a lot of praying. I would hope that no one has to experience that but if they do, let it be an F0. Those can still give you that one brown stain in your shorts but little more What really ticked me off, after my knees stopped shaking was that the twister was so enshrowded in rain that the actual funnel was not noticible. But I can say that have had a tornado go right over the top of me and survivedl
So, what would I prefer to face a cat 3 hurricane pr am EF3 tornado? Give me the hurricane bcaseu I have plenty of time to prepare for that storm. i can get out of "Dodge now and stick around and watch the havoc. Just give me a bottle or red wine, a crossword puzzle and a good light and I'm set for the night. I'll also need an ink pen for the puzzle.
One last thing\
Rest in Pease to all who lost their lives to this horrible stom.
), but our pantry is under the staircase (which is fair central in the house), so that's the choice.