Shelter From Storm: Waco, Texas

[Ensnared]

Several years ago, when I last went to Skywarn training here in Waco, I asked the Emergency Manager Coordinator about the location of the nearest storm shelter. But, after asking this question, I received a rather ambiguous response which amounted to, "you are out of luck."

Since I live in the southern end of Tornado Alley inside a bottom apartment, there is very little I can do in the presence of a major tornado.

Reportedly, the Jarrell, Texas tornado originated here in the Woodway/Hewitt area.

YouTube - Jarrell Texas Tornado Raw News Footage

Perhaps, I should go buy some prayer beads. From what I've heard, this is a La Nina year.

NOAA La Niña Page

 

[Highpockets]

Perhaps, I should go buy some prayer beads. From what I've heard, this is a La Nina year.

La Nina, why couldn't they come up with an English word for that?

 

[n5ims]

Your Emergency Manager Coordinator probably wouldn't know where your apartment complex would have located their storm shelter. All he could provide would be generic answers like you probably received. Very few towns have community shelters so this isn't an option that should be expected.

Perhaps you should ask your complex manager that question. They should know the complex and where they would recommend you go in the event of a tornado. They may have areas like certain hallways, the laundry area, or others that have reinforced walls, etc. designed for that purpose.

 

[Ensnared]

Morbid Preoccupation, Tornados

Your Emergency Manager Coordinator probably wouldn't know where your apartment complex would have located their storm shelter. All he could provide would be generic answers like you probably received. Very few towns have community shelters so this isn't an option that should be expected.

Perhaps you should ask your complex manager that question. They should know the complex and where they would recommend you go in the event of a tornado. They may have areas like certain hallways, the laundry area, or others that have reinforced walls, etc. designed for that purpose.

Well, I can clearly recall the presence of fallout shelters in the 1960's and beyond. But, these locations seemed to dwindle in recent years.

I know the likelihood of a large tornado is slim in comparison to other weather events, but it is still nice to have an exit strategy.

Truthfully, being located in the southern tip of Tornado Alley was among the reasons I moved here. In Houston, the peak tornado season was in November. But, their storms were boring in comparison to those in west & central Texas.

 

[Ensnared]

Lubbock, Texas 1970, Same Day as Waco's Tornado, May 11

I was living in Levelland, Texas (yes it is real name) near Lubbock, Texas on the day of the May 11th tornado. My mother, who was in a house hit by a tornado in Muskogee, Oklahoma, backed out of an art show at the First National Bank in Lubbock, Texas. The First National Bank, with the many large plate glass windows, was hit.

The 1970 Lubbock, Texas storm was a monster. The former "Great Plains Life building was condemned for many years because the structure was actually bent. If I am not mistaken, you can actually stand beside this building and see it. Later, they designated this building as being safe. You can see the building at the end of this video. It is the one with the large crack.

Here is a video:

YouTube - Tornado Alley

 

[Ensnared]

Renaming Texas

La Nina, why couldn't they come up with an English word for that?

I don't really know, but the name of the state & many cities have Spanish origins.

 

[reedeb]

Living here in Dallas [just down the road from last years twister] We have set up the ONLY inside room [our bathroom] as our shelter. We've set up a first aid kit,food,water, and flashlights and such. [ALSO some tools to dig out if we need to]. Call me paranoid BUT I'd rather have it set up and never use it then need it and not be set up.

 

[Ensnared]

Dallas

Living here in Dallas [just down the road from last years twister] We have set up the ONLY inside room [our bathroom] as our shelter. We've set up a first aid kit,food,water, and flashlights and such. [ALSO some tools to dig out if we need to]. Call me paranoid BUT I'd rather have it set up and never use it then need it and not be set up.

Man, you guys have been getting hammered up there. I keep hearing these systems are coming through Waco, but they tend to miss us. I don't know about this week since I think the jet stream will funnel, no pun intended, them our way.

As I stated, the Jarrell tornado was pretty scary because it hovered over areas. I suppose nobody would have been safe in that storm.

So, I suppose the bathtub with a mattress might be the only refuge here. Thanks for your response.

 

[PHOENIX_SCANNER]

La Nina, why couldn't they come up with an English word for that?

Probably because saying it in English (the girl), just doesn't have the same ring to it.