Hello, Everyone!
I'm new to this site, and I admit, I'm new to the concept of "storm chasing." Never done it myself, though my roommate has.
I love storms, but I freely admit I'm a bit cowardly. I'd rather watch from the safety of my home than out in it, but ... old dogs can learn new tricks. I might like to experience it just once in my life. (As long as it's not like in TWISTER!!!)
Anyway, I live in Cushing, OK, which is about slap-dab in the middle of a triangle of OKCity, Tulsa & Stillwater. It's a small town, and I really like it here. Since 2004, I've seen some spectacular storms sweep through this state, and I admit I still get a bit shaky when that tornado warning siren goes off. I've got a storm shelter, but it really needs to be cleaned out and prepared for occupancy.
I was born in Florida, so I've seen my share of hurricanes over the past 56 years. I remember living through Donna in 1960, and had friends who endured Andrew in 1992. I did some Red Cross work during the clean up after Andrew, so I saw first-hand what the devastation was there. Hurricanes are dangerous storms, but I know how to deal with them. Tornados, on the other hand ... well, I don't think anyone is totally safe from them.
I had friends who asked me why I'd want to move to OK when there's all these tornados. I had to remind them that Florida is the #3 state in the U.S. for tornados. I just moved from #3 to #2, that's all. Texas, of course, is #1.
Anway, I'm an amateur storm watcher (with heavy emphasis on amateur and watcher). I enjoy writing, reading, chatting on the computer, JERICHO and lots of other things. I have limited mobility thanks to a drunk driver, so I can't do a lot of the other things I enjoy anymore -- like dancing, walking, horseback riding, and camping. I am fascinated by history, and I want to be a writer when I grow up!
If you want to know more, just ask. I've got no problem answering.
And I love this site. The videos are amazing. My roommate has some pretty nice pictures of cloud formations, storms, weather in general and one really NEAT picture of a waterspout on the Gulf of Mexico near Appalachicola in the panhandle.
