Wigging out about Thunderstorms

Whispers65 · Post by **Whispers65** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:45 am

Hey Sunny, I liked the idea of calming music. I know I've been listening to the relaxation cd and it really works. I think this weekend if I get a chance I may branch out and see about some other relaxation cds. I had some before with different sounds like waves, rainstorm, forest, etc. Thanks for your suggestions!

Whispers65 · Post by **Whispers65** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 11:47 am

Dragon I'm working hard for it to get better. I want to travel and stuff. Last night I dreamed I was in one foreign country (don't know where I was) and was going to stop by France on my way back. I've had quite a few dreams now of being overseas. I've never flown more than 3 1/2 hours so that would be a huge stretch.

Whispers65 · Post by **Whispers65** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 11:49 am

As if it isn't hard enough, I was watching tv today (actually it was droning in the background) and the commercial said something along the lines of, "watch such and such's weather forecast AS IF YOUR LIFE DEPENDS ON IT." Grrrrrrrrrrr.

dragonfly7518 · Post by **dragonfly7518** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 12:33 pm

It's unfortunate how the media uses tactics to sensationalize everything - I think a lot of that cause unnecessary stress and anxiety.

Mary Wargo · Post by **Mary Wargo** » Sun Mar 30, 2008 12:39 pm

Whispers65- Well that'll scare the heck outa ya!

Whispers65 · Post by **Whispers65** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 12:29 pm

Dragon - I agree wholeheartedly. I try to avoid the media if possible but sometimes that's not possible. During today's tornado warnings I was watching that news channel as if my life depended on it lol.

Mary - It did scare the heck out of me. And briefly today the county I was in was under a tornado warning. Just gotta love spring time.

stephyannette · Post by **stephyannette** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 12:42 pm

All that bad weather you are having now is supposed to make it's way up to my area by tomorrow. Hopefully the severeness goes away by then. As much as I like weather, I don't want to deal with a tornado.

A thing to keep in mind though is this. A thunderstorm cannot hurt you. Tornadoes are small compared to other storm systems and do not cover as much ground as say a hurricane does, so their destructive path is limited. Most tornadoes move from southwest towards the northeast (or west to east), so it helps to know where the tornado warnings are in proportion to where you are.

Just remember to take precaution, and try to relax a bit. The storms will pass.

Whispers65 · Post by **Whispers65** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 1:38 pm

Steph, that's good advice. I think one thing I need to do is a get a game plan together. I always feel like a sitting duck but when I see the news, I see people outdoors, filming it, taking picture, cars passing by, etc. I've been afraid of storms my entire life. My dad used to tell me the safest place in a storm is out in the middle of it. lol of course this was one night where we were out in the car, the rain was so hard you couldn't see 10 feet in front of you, and I saw a 2 by 4 fly across the road. It seems funny now but still. I dont' think the safest place is out in the middle of one but still makes me what to get out of where I am.

stephyannette · Post by **stephyannette** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 2:15 pm

Whispers,

The eye of a tornado is a lot calmer than the actual tornado itself, but I still wouldn't want to be right in the middle

Too close for comfort in my book.

The safest place you can be is definitely a basement or storm shelter. If you don't have either of those, than an interior closet or a bathroom will work. Take couch cushions into the tub with you to protect yourself from debris and glass if there are windows in there. If you are stuck outside, like in your car, NEVER GO UNDER A HIGHWAY OVERPASS! Lots of people think it's safe under there, but it's actually not because of the wind tunnel effect, and flying debris. Your best bet would be to go to the nearest building or establishment, and if that isn't available, curl up in a ditch and cover your head. Never try to out run it.

Have the storm warnings passed yet?

Whispers65 · Post by **Whispers65** » Mon Mar 31, 2008 2:32 pm

Steph, I live in an apartment so I'm thinking closest interior would be bathroom but right up above the sink is the air conditioner unit and I'm sure the bathtub up above my bathtub. Can you tell I think about this way too much?

Officially we are under a tornado watch for another 30 minutes but it has been pretty quiet for several hours.

I felt comfortable enough that I even did my indoor walking dvd. Usually exercising is the last thing I want to do when I'm stressing.