WOW, Tornadoes so close to home!!!

[Xanthia, Maker of fine Tin-foil hats since 2007]

SO, here in Central Florida, we are not used to getting tornadoes, I have been on edge all day as my dear friend and her parents both live in the Lady Lake area.  I finally contacted them and they are fine, but it is crazy out there.  Friends mom lives in "The Villages" and less than 1/2 mile from her, about 60 houses are just FLAT.  Friend has no power, but  her mom does so she is OK for now.  I told them let us know if they need to meet us 1/2 way for supplies (it is only about an hour drive away) because a lot of stores are closed and the ones that are not are crazy.

I hope that if we have other EHions in the area they are fine as well!

[AmethystAnne]

I was halfway asleep this morning when listening to the news early this morning, but I remember something about tornadoes.
 
Tornadoes are so scary!

I'm glad that you're okay.

[HogwartsAlum]

I'm glad you are ok, Xanthia...tornadoes are VERY scary.  Know your tornado safety in case it happens again - the weather is getting very weird lately!

We've been taking bets on which month will be Tornado Month here in MO this year - last year it was March, so this year I'm betting May.

[asb8]

Tornados in Florida are more common than you think, particularly in the spring.  We got hit really badly nine years ago, right about this time of year.  42 people were killed then, in roughly the same areas as last nights storms.  And the Daytona area was badly hit Christmas Day.  

The only redeeming feature is that after the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, our emergency workers, state infrastucture and utilities companies are old pros at dealing with the aftermath.  Check out the Orlando Sentinel website for more information.  They're pretty up to date.

[Xanthia, Maker of fine Tin-foil hats since 2007]

Tornados in Florida are more common than you think, particularly in the spring.  We got hit really badly nine years ago, right about this time of year.  42 people were killed then, in roughly the same areas as last nights storms.  And the Daytona area was badly hit Christmas Day.  

The only redeeming feature is that after the 2004 and 2005 hurricane seasons, our emergency workers, state infrastucture and utilities companies are old pros at dealing with the aftermath.  Check out the Orlando Sentinel website for more information.  They're pretty up to date.

I remember when that happened, I had not been living here too long and was shocked that they got tornadoes in this area.

I know they happen, and it was pretty far away from me, but TOO close to my dear friends.

[CalabashCorolla]

Florida actually has more tornadoes per square mile than any other state, including the "Tornado Alley" states of Oklahoma, Texas, etc. Most of these are pretty weak, however. And Florida (especially the Keys) gets a lot of waterspouts, too. One even went ashore in downtown Miami a few years back!

I was so sad to hear about the horrible situation those folks north of Orlando had to go through, though. It's bad enough having to suffer hurricanes. Tornadoes can be beautiful (to weather nerds, anyhow...), but they are nothing to be trifled with and no one EVER wants to see people lose their lives or homes. Hopefully those folks will get lots of help towards recovery.