OK-KS People

[SoonerTexan]

I didn't see this thread before I posted the other one--glad you are OK MrsK--we came close to chasing that cell! There was a REALLY nasty one in west Kansas.

[SuzySunshine]

We drove right up 35 which I've always called the tornado alley. Sounds like the worst damage in KS was where I-70 meets 335 which we drove right past though I'm sure it was well after we went by. We sat in a Wendy's in Bethany, MO and watched the coverage on the weather channel, it looked nasty! Glad everyone is ok.

[MrsK]

It was really freaky -- like a hurricane but so brief. I'm used to having to spend hours in a "safe space" during hurricanes. I was especially freaking out when DrK called from the road - on his way to the day care - and then later from the basement in the day care. I was so glad that he was there with the baby so I didn't have to wonder what they were doing at the day care. DrK said that they were all in the basement when he arrived.

[madeintaiwan]

the guys on the radio *always* sound anxious. they love the drama, I think. I remember being in Los Angeles listening to "Storm Watch, '96" ... and it was rain. Just rain. It sounds like you did the right thing. I generally wait for the sirens. I can never remember the difference between a watch and warning, and I rarely have live TV or radio on to hear what's being predicted.

Ha! Rain is a BIG deal in Southern CA!!!! They just don't know what to do when it happens. A watch means there's a chance, a warning means one is most likely coming. Warnings are "worse" than watches.

[Deebs]

DD is in a preschool that is a combined preschool/daycare. One of the draws for me is that the school has a "tornado room." It's the only preschool here that has one. Do these people not realize how often there are tornado warnings in central IL?

When we were house shopping here (KC), I told our realtor that we'd like to look at houses with storm cellars. She suppressed a laugh -- I assumed they were all over here, but I don't know a single person that has one. EVERYONE has a basement, though, and they test the sirens monthly.

[MrsK]

Yup, when we told people we were moving to KS, everyone advised us to get a house with a basement.

[oceanchild]

A watch means there's a chance, a warning means one is most likely coming. Warnings are "worse" than watches.

I was in an emergency response training yesterday where the trainer said that a watch means you can still go to the window to watch it. A warning means get out of the way. I thought that was a handy way to remember it.

[ladymoreta]

In OK, a "watch" means there's an annoying picture of the state on your TV, and a "warning" means you should pay attention to the meteorologist interrupting your show. Sirens mean you should go outside and look around.

[bokelley]

In OK, a "watch" means there's an annoying picture of the state on your TV, and a "warning" means you should pay attention to the meteorologist interrupting your show. Sirens mean you should go outside and look around.

Oh no you didn't!!!
HAHA

The poor weather man gets no respect LOL

[ladymoreta]

Haha well, not me! I go hide! But it was funny on Monday seeing all our neighbors (and DH) wandering around out in the street with the sirens blaring!

[SoonerTexan]

In OK, a "watch" means there's an annoying picture of the state on your TV, and a "warning" means you should pay attention to the meteorologist interrupting your show. Sirens mean you should go outside and look around.

You know, I just read an article on CNN that actually mentioned the Oklahoma culture and how everyone just goes outside. Except for my roommate, I don't know one person that went inside during the Norman tornado--they were all outside looking for it! Apparently we have been "desensitized"

For whatever it's worth, if I hear sirens, you can bet your butt I'm inside! I'm watching Gary England's (local weather celebrity--he's awesome) storm coverage right now--it's entertainment in this state!

Might be time to break out the Gary England drinking game!

http://www.okstorms.com/chasing/other_weather/drinking_game.htm

[bokelley]

No joke. My mother is the worst! It is shameful. I was chasing literally 10 min from the house, sirens going, and I told my mom that she needed to go to the basement, because it could be a multiple vortex tornado. It is like 10pm at night, and she is proceeding to tell me " Well I am outside looking at the sky and I don't see anything?" My jaw dropped, first it is 10pm, if you can see the tornado then your dead anyways LOL, and secondly I have radar and some knowledge about tornadoes and she thinks that she is going to watch the sky. We get in the the biggest fights about this.

Oh and Gary England is my hero!!

[SuzySunshine]

When I was little and grew up in Topeka we used to stand on our front porch and watch the tornadoes across town

[ladymoreta]

Yeah, my BIL and his roommates *walked* out to the IM field to get a better look at the sky in Norman!

I'm with you - even if it's just raining here, I check Gary England! He is amazing! I've been watching the coverage, but just had to come back to DS's room to nurse (part of the nighttime routine I'm attempting), and I'm dying to get back to the TV! You're going to hate the Dallas news... Just a bunch of actors basically trying to scare people for ratings most of the time.