Question about Tornados!!!?
I live in Houston Texas. I was wondering if anyone here has been through or seen a tornado here in Houston and how bad was it? I also want to know if you think it would be wise (with houstons flooding and all) to have a seller put in incase of a tornado? I came from Cali and hate the earthquakes but hey…at least you know when a tornado will possibly hit and where. with an earthquake you just don’t know. OH also, can a seller (like in "the wizard of oz" and "where the heart is") really be okay in a tornado of any catagory (like f1-f5)? Has anyone heard of anyone getting sucked out or anything. I know a scary thought but I have 2 kids and I want to be prepared. How deep and wide should a seller/shelter be? Thanks
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6 comments
Lunave on February 11, 2010 at 4:20 am
I can see that you have a lot of questions about them. The best way of having peace of mind is knowing as much as you can bout them and how to protect yourself. Visit this websites, they have information about them:
http://www.disastercenter.com/tornado/rank.htm
http://www.rockdaletexas.org/~tornado/tornado_facts.htm
These would give you the forecast for the area you’re at, risk for severe weather, storm reports, etc.
http://www.noaa.com
http://www.wunderground.com
mooshie on February 11, 2010 at 4:20 am
First off, it’s much less likely that you’ll go through a tornado in Houston than you would an earthquake in California, especially if you live in downtown Houston. However, peace of mind is really what’s at stake here, so if you can afford it, and if having a cellar will give you peace of mind, go for it. Here is one site that can give you some specs (see below). For others, do a Google search of "tornado cellar specifications." (Note that it’s spelled CELLAR, not sellar.)
doug s on February 11, 2010 at 4:20 am
The real danger is debris.Cars,trucks,boards,trees,etc.An interesting show on Discovery channel showed a bunker or cellar with a heavily reinforced roof of concrete and steel.They repeatedly dropped a car from a crane on it to test it.I would have an underground cellar with this type of roof if I were to build one for storms.I have lived in the midwest all my life and would suggest having a basement or outside cellar available.A sump pump will solve any water issues you might have and you would want electric in there for lights and such anyway.I would make it large enough to be useful for some storage–8×10 maybe with shelves for typical cellar storage foods–potatoes,apples,etc.7 ft ceiling would be ok.The show I saw would be very informative for you and your question,really,since it showed many tests with different types of structures instead of just horror stories about a bad storm.Tornadoes scour ground sometimes,but would take a direct hit and hesitate on top of you to suck you up from below surrounding ground level.I would not worry a lot about it,but a storm plan would be advisable anywhere in Texas.Hope this helps.
Blue Sky on February 11, 2010 at 4:20 am
I was in a tornado once that was coming right at me. At the last minute it lifted off the ground, went over my house, and came back down in my back yard. All the farms and houses in front of my house for about a mile were destroyed in a path about 1/4 mile wide. All the houses directly behind my house had their roofs blown off for about another 1/2 mile. We had a lot of windows blown in and about a foot of water on the first floor. I happened to be on the front porch watching the tornado coming right at me at first. When I realized it was gonna hit us, I decided it was a good time to get to the basement so I grabbed the doorknob to go in but the door wouldn’t open. I felt myself being lifted off the porch. I hung on to the door knob with all my strength – it would have pulled me right into it. When the glass in the door broke, I was able to open the door because the pressure that was holding it closed equalized. Just at the same time a huge picture window fell in and really clobbered my brother – he had 2 of the biggest blackest eyes I’ve ever seen. I was covered with cuts from flying glass. We made it to the basement just as the tornado was passing overhead. It really does sound like a freight train, like they say. It is almost hypnotizing watching it come right at ya, it’s really awesome – I should of got to the basement much sooner.
TOM S on February 11, 2010 at 4:20 am
I haven,t been in one but i,ve seen what a F-5 Can do, I think a Shelter big enough, for you to set a stretch out would be big enough, But I think I would like to have a top on it like a man hole cover, don,t forget some food and water, and some warm Blankets,
Angel_princess on February 11, 2010 at 4:20 am
i have not but ive heard its bad. if in case a tornado happends god bless you.