Being Prepared for Severe Weather in Tennessee

It’s Tornado time in Tennessee.
Tornadoes can be life threatening and very deadly as they can form in a minutes notice and leave a pathway of destruction. Almost two-thirds of tornadoes that have occurred in Middle Tennessee have taken place in the spring months of March, April, and May.   You need to know what to do to be prepared in case a tornado is spotted.  Here are some tips that we’ve gathered from The Red Cross and the National Weather Service.

You’ve heard of Tornado Alley but have you heard of  Dixie Alley?

The term “Dixie Alley” is used for the areas in the southeastern parts of the United Stateswhich typically includes the lower MississippiValleyand the upper TennesseeValley. Dixie Alley has nearly the same number tornadoes ranked F-3 or higher as Tornado Alley but there are more tornado deaths in Dixie Alley. This is mainly due to the area being more densely populated and also because this area has a higher number of mobile homes.

While the location and meaning of Tennessee Tornado Alley will have a different meaning to just about anyone you talk to so to its location. The location of Tennessee’s Tornado Alley is suppose to be based on the number of tornadoes per county were per square miles and currently there are two area’s which qualify.

The first covers five counties that include; Davidson, Rutherford, Sumner, Trousdale, and Wilson Counties. The second is in southern Middle Tennessee in Giles, Lincoln, and Marshall Counties.

Most locals and old timers have always referred to Tennessee’s Tornado Alley as the most frequented paths that tornadoes have taken over the years throughout the Middle Tennessee area, the commonly known hot beds of deadly Tornado activity.

This would include an area that begins just east of the Tennessee River and heads into Montgomery County, Robertson and Sumner County as well as an area south of Nashville that begins near Perry County and heads east into Maury, Williamson and sometimes Rutherford County.

What is a Tornado?

A tornado is a violently rotating column of air extending from the base of a thunderstorm down to the ground.  The intensity of a Tornado is measured by the Fujita Scale with rankings from F0 to F5 (the strongest).  A tornado is capable of completely destroying well-made structures, uprooting trees and hurling objects through the air like missiles.

A Tornado Watch

When you are under a tornado watch that means that the weather conditions are prime for the formation of a tornado.  Keep your radio/TV tuned for updates on the weather.  Make sure everyone had and knows your family emergency plan.  Make sure that you have supplies set up in your safe room.

What to Watch for during a Tornado Watch:

  • Dark greenish or orange-gray skies
  • Large hail
  • Large, dark, low-lying, rotating or funnel-shaped clouds
  • A loud roar that is similar to a freight train

 

 

A Tornado Warning

Take cover in a basement, storm cellar or interior room with no windows, such as a closet, hallway or bathroom.  When you are under a tornado warning it means that a tornado has be sited or indicated by weather radar.

Things to do when a Tornado Warning is issued:

  • Take shelter immediately
  • Listen to your local radio for updates
  • Following the National Weather Service Safety Guidelines
    • If you are in a building:
      Go to a pre-designated shelter area such as a safe room, basement, storm cellar, or the buildings lowest level. If you don’t have a basement, take shelter in the center of an interior room on the lowest level, such as a bathroom, closet or interior hallway that is away from corners, windows, doors and outside walls.
    • If you are in a vehicle, trailer or mobile home:
      Get out immediately and go to a nearby sturdy building or storm shelter and seek shelter on its lowest floor.
    • If you are outside without nearby shelter: 
      Lie down in a ditch, ravine, or depression nearby and cover your head with your hands.

 Be Ready – What to have on hand

 When you are ready to find your home, remember… “It’s not home without the O”,  Diane O and Friends.  Your Tennessee Real Estate Team.

Benchmark Realty, 7107 Crossroads Blvd., Suite 102, Brentwood, TN  615-371-1544
Diane Osowiecki, license #290309 cell - 615-406-2184  email  diane@dianeo.us
Mandy Buchholz, license #309437 cell - 615-477-6959  email  mandybuchholztn@gmail
Bob Osowiecki, license #325031  cell - 615-878-3902 email bobointn@gmail.com

Showing properties 1 - 25 of 500+. See more Williamson County.
(all data current as of 5/24/2013)

  1. 3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 1,711 sq ft
    Broker reciprocity icon
  2. 4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 3,088 sq ft
    Broker reciprocity icon
  3. 3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 2,799 sq ft
    Lot size: 10,890 sqft
    Broker reciprocity icon
  4. 4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 2,203 sq ft
    Lot size: 9,583 sqft
    Broker reciprocity icon
  5. 3 beds, 3 full baths
    Home size: 2,531 sq ft
    Lot size: 9,583 sqft
    Broker reciprocity icon
  6. 4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 2,808 sq ft
    Lot size: 21,780 sqft
    Broker reciprocity icon
  7. 4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 2,263 sq ft
    Lot size: 14,374 sqft
    Broker reciprocity icon
  8. 4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 3,073 sq ft
    Lot size: 6,750 sqft
    Broker reciprocity icon
  9. 4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 4,550 sq ft
    Lot size: 12.59 ac
    Broker reciprocity icon
  10. 4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 3,140 sq ft
    Lot size: 16,552 sqft
    Broker reciprocity icon
  11. 6 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 7,558 sq ft
    Lot size: 6.21 ac
    Broker reciprocity icon
  12. 5 beds, 3 full baths
    Home size: 3,069 sq ft
    Lot size: 8,276 sqft
    Broker reciprocity icon
  13. 4 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 3,346 sq ft
    Lot size: 7,840 sqft
    Broker reciprocity icon
  14. 5 beds, 4 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 4,071 sq ft
    Lot size: 18,730 sqft
    Broker reciprocity icon
  15. 5 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 3,944 sq ft
    Lot size: 7,405 sqft
    Broker reciprocity icon
  16. 4 beds, 3 full, 2 part baths
    Home size: 4,586 sq ft
    Lot size: 20,037 sqft
    Broker reciprocity icon
  17. 5 beds, 5 full, 2 part baths
    Home size: 7,054 sq ft
    Lot size: 27,007 sqft
    Broker reciprocity icon
  18. 5 beds, 5 full, 2 part baths
    Home size: 5,156 sq ft
    Lot size: 25,264 sqft
    Broker reciprocity icon
  19. 4 beds, 3 full baths
    Home size: 3,042 sq ft
    Lot size: 10,745 sqft
    Broker reciprocity icon
  20. 3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 2,363 sq ft
    Lot size: 11,325 sqft
    Broker reciprocity icon
  21. 3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 2,392 sq ft
    Lot size: 9,147 sqft
    Broker reciprocity icon
  22. 3 beds, 2 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 1,988 sq ft
    Lot size: 13,939 sqft
    Broker reciprocity icon
  23. 4 beds, 3 full, 2 part baths
    Home size: 3,923 sq ft
    Lot size: 20,037 sqft
    Broker reciprocity icon
  24. 4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 3,568 sq ft
    Lot size: 42,253 sqft
    Broker reciprocity icon
  25. 4 beds, 3 full, 1 part baths
    Home size: 4,037 sq ft
    Lot size: 5.40 ac
    Broker reciprocity icon

Listing information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Read full disclaimer.

 

Speak Your Mind

*

Properties marked with the MTRMLS approved logo are provided courtesy of the RealTracs Internet Data Exchange Program

Copyright 2013 MTRMLS, Inc.

RealTracs Logo

Information Is Believed To Be Accurate But Not Guaranteed.

This IDX solution is (c) Diverse Solutions 2013.