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The Tornado Sirens are Sounding...

by Dennis Gaskill
10 replies
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The tornado warning sirens are going off as I write this. As I usually do, rather than heading for the basement I go outside and look at the sky. Didn't see a tornado, but I got to wondering ...

Do you head for the basement or your designated shelter area at the sound of the sirens, do you go outside and look around like me, or take a wait and see approach?

I can only remember one time it looked bad enough that I went to the basement for shelter.

What do you do?
  • Profile picture of the author Jun Balona
    I'd go see it. Regardless of the risk.

    Besides, tornados here in Manila happen once in a blue moon.

    But I really hope you and your family are safe down there.
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    • Profile picture of the author ThomM
      We don't have any sirens around here except for those at the volunteer fire houses. If they set them off for anything other then a fire (and noon) people would just think it was a fire anyways.
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  • Profile picture of the author HeySal
    Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post

    The tornado warning sirens are going off as I write this. As I usually do, rather than heading for the basement I go outside and look at the sky. Didn't see a tornado, but I got to wondering ...

    Do you head for the basement or your designated shelter area at the sound of the sirens, do you go outside and look around like me, or take a wait and see approach?

    I can only remember one time it looked bad enough that I went to the basement for shelter.

    What do you do?

    Sure, Dennis. I wouldn't worry about it - probably just all the US quakes setting them off. :rolleyes:

    I'm a sky watcher. Don't live near tornado country now, but when I did - I was outside watching the sky. Had an outdoor shelter so I wouldn't have to go back into the house. That scared me more than the storms. But I had a 4 ft drainage pipe under a little driveway, so under the path of anything that came down - in the right direction not to get hit with debris. It was an old ditch that probably used to carry irrigation water but was dry when I lived out there. So - my dog and I would just sit and watch and if things got scary, we'd take a dive.
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  • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
    Well, the sirens have ended. I sat here working the whole time, except when I was outside looking at the sky. The tornado warning has been downgraded to tornado watch and severe thunderstorm warning. It's not doing much right now though, just some thunder and wind. There was a tornado 29 miles from here though.

    I was just curious if most people take shelter like you're "supposed" to, or do like I do and go with your gut feelings as to whether it's safe or not.
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  • Profile picture of the author Floyd Fisher
    I get my warnings via the TV and radio, so I know exactly where the tornado is, so I'm not sweating the load over a tornado 25 miles away.
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    • Profile picture of the author Dennis Gaskill
      Originally Posted by Floyd Fisher View Post

      I get my warnings via the TV and radio, so I know exactly where the tornado is, so I'm not sweating the load over a tornado 25 miles away.
      I wasn't sweating anything, Floyd. The info about the tornado I learned after the warning ended. I had a ballgame on the radio, they gave a warning to take shelter.
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  • Profile picture of the author Andie
    My son and I love watching storms....wish we had one to watch now...heck, even a lil hurricane would be a welcome relief from the temps. Lightening is favorite

    Although, I do rely on my weatherbug to see just exactly where things stand; usually very accurate
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    • Profile picture of the author myob
      Originally Posted by Dennis Gaskill View Post

      What do you do?
      I keep having to yell at the kids to stay away from the windows. They always want to go watch ...

      Sirens are going off around here in the 'hood nearly every night; police, fire dept, ambulance, paramedics, etc.
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  • Profile picture of the author Fazal Mayar
    Go see it and watch the tv and radio.

    I would hate living in a place filled with tornados :O
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  • Profile picture of the author theory expert
    Banned
    I am ashamed to say this but there was a tornado once, the warnings, the sky looked as dark as I have ever seen.

    Where was I? On the sofa, watching tv, and, with the windows open hoping it would not hit.

    I am not used to natural disasters.
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