Living with tornadoes in Central Oklahoma

[bchris02]

First of all, I stress I mean no offense to any of the great people who live in this state and city by asking this. I am greatly moved by the response from Oklahomans to this tragedy. My thoughts and prayers are with the people affected by it. Sometimes I am hard on OKC but overall I like it alright. However, if there is one thing that is really propelling me to consider moving away it is this.

I moved back to OKC last summer after having lived in several other places around the country. Last time I lived in Oklahoma I lived in Moore in 1999 and was nearly hit by the May 3, 1999 storm. After the tornado was past where my house was I watched the tornado wreak destruction out my back window. Needless to say, it was traumatizing. When I moved back to Oklahoma to accept a great job offer, I was concerned about tornadoes but thought to myself that the possibility of another storm like what happened on May 3, 1999 happening again was slim to none. Unfortunately, I was wrong as we all know what happened on May 20th. Now they are talking about the chance of tornadoes again this week and I am scared out of my mind. It seems that if there is a 'Ground Zero' for tornado alley, it is Central Oklahoma.

My question is, to people who have lived here a long time, how do you do it without having constant anxiety from April-June every year? I've lived in hurricane, earthquake, and tornado (though much less so than OKC) prone places but nothing compares to this. Maybe its the fact that though earthquakes and hurricanes can potentially do much more damage, tornadoes are far more frequent and random you never know where they are going to strike next and how strong they will be.

Is it something I will get used to after a few years here? Once again I mean absolutely no offense to anybody by asking this.

[soonerguru]

First of all, I stress I mean no offense to any of the great people who live in this state and city by asking this. I am greatly moved by the response from Oklahomans to this tragedy. My thoughts and prayers are with the people affected by it. Sometimes I am hard on OKC but overall I like it alright. However, if there is one thing that is really propelling me to consider moving away it is this.

I moved back to OKC last summer after having lived in several other places around the country. Last time I lived in Oklahoma I lived in Moore in 1999 and was nearly hit by the May 3, 1999 storm. After the tornado was past where my house was I watched the tornado wreak destruction out my back window. Needless to say, it was traumatizing. When I moved back to Oklahoma to accept a great job offer, I was concerned about tornadoes but thought to myself that the possibility of another storm like what happened on May 3, 1999 happening again was slim to none. Unfortunately, I was wrong as we all know what happened on May 20th. Now they are talking about the chance of tornadoes again this week and I am scared out of my mind. It seems that if there is a 'Ground Zero' for tornado alley, it is Central Oklahoma.

My question is, to people who have lived here a long time, how do you do it without having constant anxiety from April-June every year? I've lived in hurricane, earthquake, and tornado (though much less so than OKC) prone places but nothing compares to this. Maybe its the fact that though earthquakes and hurricanes can potentially do much more damage, tornadoes are far more frequent and random you never know where they are going to strike next and how strong they will be.

Is it something I will get used to after a few years here? Once again I mean absolutely no offense to anybody by asking this.

This is a perfectly valid question. I'm a lifelong resident and I can say, fortunately, that I have never been directly affected by a tornado. My suggestion is to get a storm shelter for your own sense of safety.

[ljbab728]

This is a perfectly valid question. I'm a lifelong resident and I can say, fortunately, that I have never been directly affected by a tornado. My suggestion is to get a storm shelter for your own sense of safety.

Same for me. I've only seen a tornado in person once and that was back in the 50's. Although I don't currently have a shelter where I live, I have had one in most of the places I've lived and it's very comforting. I do have a tornado plan in place though.

[Bunty]

This is a perfectly valid question. I'm a lifelong resident and I can say, fortunately, that I have never been directly affected by a tornado. My suggestion is to get a storm shelter for your own sense of safety.

That's what I knew I had to have done when I built a new house in 2004. Tornadoes warnings are still stressful.

[jn1780]

I agree with soonerguru, I would get a storm shelter. I think a lot of people in Moore/South OKC are feeling the same way as you after either getting hit or almost getting hit at least 3 times in the past 15 years.

[BBatesokc]

Far more people die from far more common random violent acts ranging from car accidents to mother nature.

Heat and drought kill more people than tornadoes. Harsh summers, winters and flooding rank higher than tornadoes too. Lightening kills almost as many people as tornadoes.

Earthquakes actually kill very few people.

I think its more psychological than anything else. If it wasn't for the over the top news coverage, it probably wouldn't rank so high in your fear factor.

Pay attention to the weather, have a shelter and/or a plan to flee the immediate area and carry insurance.

[bandnerd]

Far more people die from far more common random violent acts ranging from car accidents to mother nature.

Heat and drought kill more people than tornadoes. Harsh summers, winters and flooding rank higher than tornadoes too. Lightening kills almost as many people as tornadoes.

Earthquakes actually kill very few people.

I think its more psychological than anything else. If it wasn't for the over the top news coverage, it probably wouldn't rank so high in your fear factor.

Pay attention to the weather, have a shelter and/or a plan to flee the immediate area and carry insurance.

All of this. I have lived in OK for 32 years...my entire life...and have never even seen a tornado in person, only on TV. The last nearly 15 years of that in the OKC metro area, mind you. I know it's traumatizing, and I have had my share of tornado-themed nightmares, but it is no reason, to me, to move. Anywhere you go, some sort of natural disaster can strike. You usually know what days are going to be good for severe weather. You have some warning before hurricanes. Blizzards, ice storms, heat waves...they all have some warning time. What matters is what you do to be prepared.

[jn1780]

Far more people die from far more common random violent acts ranging from car accidents to mother nature.

Heat and drought kill more people than tornadoes. Harsh summers, winters and flooding rank higher than tornadoes too. Lightening kills almost as many people as tornadoes.

Earthquakes actually kill very few people.

I think its more psychological than anything else. If it wasn't for the over the top news coverage, it probably wouldn't rank so high in your fear factor.

Pay attention to the weather, have a shelter and/or a plan to flee the immediate area and carry insurance.

This is all true.
But, it is very hard to get past the psychological factor aside when you have seen all the destruction, not once but twice.

[bchris02]

This is all true.
But, it is very hard to get past the psychological factor aside when you have seen all the destruction, not once but twice.

I would agree. I would also agree with BBatesokc's comments if I was living anywhere in tornado alley but OKC. Like I said though, it seems like this is the ground zero for tornado alley. Tornadoes are not only far more frequent in Central Oklahoma but much stronger as well. What if you lived at the base of a volcano you knew was going to erupt every year or two? Even if the loss of life is relatively low, there is still the higher chance of losing everything.

1.3 million people live here though and have for a long time.

[Praedura]

It's an interesting question. I have pretty much zero anxiety during tornado season. A lot of that comes from having lived here my whole life. I'm so used to it, I don't even think much about it.

But there's more to it than that. My mom has also lived her whole life in Oklahoma, and she's scared to death every year this time of year. But she's a chronic worrier -- about pretty much everything, not just weather. I'm not a worrier at all. Whereas she is a very emotional person, I'm very rational and cool headed. I'm more the scientific type. I was greatly fascinated by severe weather as a kid and read up on it all the time. I feel reasonably informed, though not a weather guru by any means. Knowledge can make you more confident.

Despite having lived all my life here in tornado alley, I've only seen one in person -- the one that hit the Fairfield addition in west Edmond, about 1987 I think. Saw it briefly for about 30 seconds before it moved out of view. I was over a mile away and didn't feel any great concern while watching it. More like excitement as in "wow, I finally get to see one". Although I have never storm chased, I could have seen myself doing that. My reaction to severe weather tends to be more interest than fear.

So part of it is your natural personality. Worriers will probably never be at peace here. But becoming well informed and having contingency plans can help considerably, I'm sure.

From time to time I happen to chance into a conversation with someone who has moved here from elsewhere (e.g. California) and they express a whole lot of concern about tornadoes. My natural inclination is to tell them "Oh don't worry. It's no big deal. It's really overblown". But I don't say that because... who knows, they just might be one of the unlucky ones that has a direct encounter.

It also could be said that a lot of my calmness comes from never having had to deal with a direct hit from a tornado. I'm sure that makes a psychological effect that is hard, if not impossible, to shake. Maybe one day I'll experience one directly and my cool, rational attitude will change to something else.

[Bill Robertson]

It's an interesting question. I have pretty much zero anxiety during tornado season. A lot of that comes from having lived here my whole life. I'm so used to it, I don't even think much about it.

It also could be said that a lot of my calmness comes from never having had to deal with a direct hit from a tornado. I'm sure that makes a psychological effect that is hard, if not impossible, to shake. Maybe one day I'll experience one directly and my cool, rational attitude will change to something else.

These two line fit me also. I've lived here my entire 54 years. I've never seen a tornado. Closest I've ever been was in the mid 60s when a small tornado did some damage to a car lot and a couple of fast food places on NW 36th & May. We were about 4 blocks NE of there that night. I really don't think about the possibility of a tornado actually hitting where I am. My wife has pushed for the last few years for a storm shelter but I haven't given in yet. Maybe someday.

[oki]

Far more people die from far more common random violent acts ranging from car accidents to mother nature.

Heat and drought kill more people than tornadoes. Harsh summers, winters and flooding rank higher than tornadoes too. Lightening kills almost as many people as tornadoes.

Earthquakes actually kill very few people.

I think its more psychological than anything else. If it wasn't for the over the top news coverage, it probably wouldn't rank so high in your fear factor.

Pay attention to the weather, have a shelter and/or a plan to flee the immediate area and carry insurance.

Yes. It's unlikely that one's house will get by a tornado. The odds of a direct hit of an EF5 torando to your house are negligible... one in over a million. Could you get damage? Of course. 99.9% of the time, you'll survive, as will your house. Get house and content insurance. Don't drive around in storms. Take cover and take warnings seriously.

Cars, stairs, bathtubs, house fires, and similar accidents are more common.

No matter where you live, there are risks. Floods, mudslides, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, droughts, lightning, break-ins, wildfires, wreckless drivers, and more. The midwest has plenty of warnings, but thankfully we usually survive tornado warnings.

[zookeeper]

Yes. It's unlikely that one's house will get by a tornado. The odds of a direct hit of an EF5 torando to your house are negligible... one in over a million. Could you get damage? Of course. 99.9% of the time, you'll survive, as will your house. Get house and content insurance. Don't drive around in storms. Take cover and take warnings seriously.

Cars, stairs, bathtubs, house fires, and similar accidents are more common.

No matter where you live, there are risks. Floods, mudslides, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, droughts, lightning, break-ins, wildfires, wreckless drivers, and more. The midwest has plenty of warnings, but thankfully we usually survive tornado warnings.

Another point is that they have been taking this "You have to be below ground to survive," even though the evidence doesn't show this at all. Thousands of people survived the May 3rd and May 20th tornadoes and they weren't all underground. In fact, few of them were. So, to continue to say this only encourages people to get in their cars and find an underground shelter, rather than take the precautions at home that saved thousands in two EF5 tornadoes (May 3, 1999/May 20, 2013.)

[TeriOKC]

Like so many on this thread, I have lived here my whole life. I think my previous history of panic attacks started as a small child when we ran to the cellar every time a storm threatened. Mind you, those were the days (early-mid 1960s) before fancy radar that pinpoints tornadoes down to the precise point of touch down. We had no idea what was in the storms. My mother was frightened to death of storms, and I think I "fed" off of her fear. As an adult, I have the utmost respect for storms and do not treat their threat in a cavalier manner. However, I am not fearful. We have a basement and take precautions. Last night, I made sure that precious family photos, etc. were safe. We stayed above ground with our eyes fixed on the television, and were ready to sprint down the stairs at a moment's notice.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that this is all I have ever known and it is normal for me. I have no desire to live anywhere else. Oklahoma's positives far outweigh the negatives.

[venture]

Lot of good comments here. I think a lot of it comes down to understanding and respecting nature as well. I remember being a young child seeing my first tornado back north and freaking out. Then I come here and made it a point to get close (with in reason) to observe the life cycle of them.

Yes there is a fear of losing everything but I stop to think about the insurance policy on it all...and if it happens it happens. Weather is nothing to be feared. Getting a storm shelter would probably help in dealing with the anxiety, but it's also going to come down to dealing with your fear of losing any material possessions. Do what you need to protect yourself and those you care about and let the chips fall where they will with the rest.

[ljbab728]

Yes there is a fear of losing everything but I stop to think about the insurance policy on it all...and if it happens it happens. Weather is nothing to be feared. Getting a storm shelter would probably help in dealing with the anxiety, but it's also going to come down to dealing with your fear of losing any material possessions. Do what you need to protect yourself and those you care about and let the chips fall where they will with the rest.

Correct, Venture. Besides having a tornado plan I also have a plan about what I need to be sure to have with me. That would be my prescriptions, my wallet, etc. I have a list of my household possessions stored along with pictures of them that I can access from any computer.

[kevinpate]

Twisters have come and gone through parts of Oklahoma, many, many parts, since well before it was Oklahoma. Near as I can tell, the state seems to be growing at a better than middlin' clip. OKC, Norman, even Mo-whathaveIgotafreakinbullseyeonmyback-ore are all doing some interesting growth in the past 25 or so years. As are Mustang, Yukon and parts further out.

Twisters suck, quite literally. But overall, life goes on even when the wind comes twirling down the plains instead of just sweeping..

[adaniel]

I saw it posted somewhere else that people from outside Tornado Alley fear storms more than the people who live here and have to deal with it every year. The storms can be nerve racking and downright traumatizing for people not used to them, but once you have a plan of action on what to do it is not so scary. There are people who rode out this storm and are alive and well because they had a plan. Make sure you have proper insurance and have documented all of your possessions.

I also think one needs to keep it in perspective. Tornadoes are dramatic and spectacular events, but their footprint is pretty limited compared to most natural disasters. I don't want to take anything away from suffering tornado victims, but there were 13,000 homes affected by the storms, out of over a half million in metro OKC. In comparison, there were 400,000 homes damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Sandy, 450,000 in the Northridge Earthquake in LA, and 1.2 million by Katrina.

[bchris02]

I also think one needs to keep it in perspective. Tornadoes are dramatic and spectacular events, but their footprint is pretty limited compared to most natural disasters. I don't want to take anything away from suffering tornado victims, but there were 13,000 homes affected by the storms, out of over a half million in metro OKC. In comparison, there were 400,000 homes damaged or destroyed by Hurricane Sandy, 450,000 in the Northridge Earthquake in LA, and 1.2 million by Katrina.

I do agree with this. However, I want to add that it will probably be decades before there is another Sandy or Katrina. Hurricane Andrew was catastrophic for Miami, but South Florida hasn't seen anything like it since. There hasn't been a devastating earthquake in SoCal since 1994.

However, another F5 tornado in OKC could happen this week. That makes it all the more scary to deal with. With a hurricane, I have days to gather essential belongings and get out of dodge. That also gives people time to mentally prepare for whats coming, which is something you cannot underestimate. With a tornado, if its anything like May 20th, you have 15 minutes and you've gone from a beautiful blue-skied day to total devastation.

I live in an apartment by the way and am a natural worrier. Getting a shelter isn't an option and part of me would rather try to move somewhere safer rather than buy a house here. Maybe I'm overblowing it but having seen May 3, 1999 and May 20, 2013, I can't help it.

[venture]

I do agree with this. However, I want to add that it will probably be decades before there is another Sandy or Katrina. Hurricane Andrew was catastrophic for Miami, but South Florida hasn't seen anything like it since. There hasn't been a devastating earthquake in SoCal since 1994.

However, another F5 tornado in OKC could happen this week. That makes it all the more scary to deal with. With a hurricane, I have days to gather essential belongings and get out of dodge. That also gives people time to mentally prepare for whats coming, which is something you cannot underestimate. With a tornado, if its anything like May 20th, you have 15 minutes and you've gone from a beautiful blue-skied day to total devastation.

It is about being prepared and then being ready to move to a place of safety. We can't sit here and worry about the next thunderstorm spawning a strong tornado.

[ljbab728]

I do agree with this. However, I want to add that it will probably be decades before there is another Sandy or Katrina. Hurricane Andrew was catastrophic for Miami, but South Florida hasn't seen anything like it since. There hasn't been a devastating earthquake in SoCal since 1994.

However, another F5 tornado in OKC could happen this week. That makes it all the more scary to deal with. With a hurricane, I have days to gather essential belongings and get out of dodge. That also gives people time to mentally prepare for whats coming, which is something you cannot underestimate. With a tornado, if its anything like May 20th, you have 15 minutes and you've gone from a beautiful blue-skied day to total devastation.

I live in an apartment by the way and am a natural worrier. Getting a shelter isn't an option and part of me would rather try to move somewhere safer rather than buy a house here. Maybe I'm overblowing it but having seen May 3, 1999 and May 20, 2013, I can't help it.

Please note how many EF5 tornadoes have hit Oklahoma since 1950.

F5 and EF5 Tornadoes of the United States - 1950-present (SPC)

That's a total of 7. The odds are not good for more anytime soon, but who knows?

Please note how many major hurricanes have hit Florida during the same period.

History of Hurricanes for Southern Florida, Past 100 Years

It's 7 and hurricanes affect much larger areas. Your chances of being directly affected by a hurricane in Florida are considerably higher than being affected by a tornado in Oklahoma. Of course the warning time for a hurricane is much longer but with a plan in place there is no reason to feel unsafe.

Everyone deals with fear and anxiety in different ways, however. If it's a life altering concern for you, you should move.

[ou48A]

I have seen about a dozen tornados in Oklahoma. I grew up in a town that was paranoid about tornadoes with good reason and as a result I spent countless hours as a kid in the basement on several dozen occasions. This made me want to learn more and face my childhood fears.

We as human’s have a great tendency to fear most what we least understand. This creates much of the anxiety.

Many people can lower their anxiety levels by become much better educated about tornado behavior and their prime conditions.
This along with taking a few basic steps to physically protect yourself, family and your home, along with good insurance is about the best that most people can do. But spiritual guidance helps many. A proactive approach is always best.

Beyond that, in many cases, what doesn’t kill you usually makes you a stronger and a more mature person who can more easily help others who maybe in need.

[mmonroe]

I'm sure you've heard the joke, but I believe it to be true; most Oklahoman's are like junior meteorologists.

The bottom line is that the storms that carry tornado's can be very predictable. Last Monday night we were given notice that the next night could possibly carry a big tornado, and to no surprise, the tornado showed itself. The weather technology that we have in place, and the many advances of such technology, have given new light to weather prediction. Does that mean that every warning we receive in advance should be taken to heart and that a tornado will appear, no. It is a safe bet to be ready and review your safety plans with family and friends.

I lost my great-grandfather and his wife Patty in the May 3rd tornado, the 2008 tornado saw to it to destroy the houses of friends and barely missed family. This tornado however destroyed friends and family members homes. Does any of this stop me from living here? The answer is No. Our weather stations around here prove to be life saving, just as the nation has got to see in the past week what we see every tornado season, seasoned professionals doing ground breaking work on the fly to keep us safe.

Sure, there is still a chance I could be hit by a tornado, but where ever I go, there will always be something that 'could' happen.

[kevinpate]

bcris02, I don't know if this will help or hurt, but go back and read what bbates wrote. Then read it again.
The reality is, multi day 24 hour a day coverage aside, you likely face a greater risk to loss of life going to and from work and simply living your life every day.

I've been in various locations in OK for nearly all of the past five decades. I've lost far more friends to accidents, firearms, alcohol and violence than I have to weather. Over time I've endured a botched robbery out of state at a place of business, a successful armed robbery in state years ago, my home broken into once, my parents twice, car break-ins, property stolen overnight, a hit and run on my car once, an accident or three, and more near misses than I can count over the years.

A different mood or a few seconds either way creating the parties in a bit of a different position could have made a lot of things far worse than they were.

Best to just not dwell on it, and use the energy to keep your awareness levels tuned.

Last week a former Girl Scout and her hubby lost their home but fortunately not each other. A dear friend of my lovely walked out of Plaza Tower school alive and her young adult child walked out of what had been their two story family home alive, with only minimal scratches. I'm grateful for their safety and we gladly assist them in going forward anew.

I don't have answers, beyond stay calm, be thankful for the good in life, and share some kindness with others whenever possible.

[dcsooner]

I think if one wants to justify a move out of the State, weather is one that many use. The reality is natural disasters, crime, extreme heat or cold happens in some form and relative frequency everywhere. Blizzards, floods, mega snow, etc. what GODs universe does is out of our control. Yes, when a tornado of the magnitude of the one just experienced happens it is dramatic and heartbreaking, but, preparation is key. Go about the business of living but when severe weather threatens be prepared and react.