Im terrified of thunderstorms and torndoes!?

Question

I am thirteen years old and i live in north carolina were iv never been through a tornado but im so afraid of tornadoes i dont think our house is strong enough to with stand a tornado if it hits but i cant really do anything about it, and one time i seen a funnel cloud and it went back up i prey during storms and i freak out so bad i start crying and hypervenilating and i feel like im going to get sick, every 10 or 20 minutes i will look outside at the sky and if its cloudy ill turn to the weather channel and most of the time there talking about isolated thunderstorms and i freak out i hate thunderstroms and tornadoes and mostly the wind and clouds that come with it. im even wathcing the weather channel right now and it says we can have isolated thunderstorms and a few may be sever can anyone help i want to get over my fear iv looked up a bunch of information on storms but im still terrified and i dont know what to do

Answer 1

It is perfectly natural to be afraid of thunderstorms and tornadoes, they can definitely be very scary. However, once you understand what they really are and how they work, as well as how to protect yourself from them, I guarantee you that you will not be as afraid of them. You will learn what is needed to make a thunderstorm or a tornado form, how they can affect your house and how to protect yourself. The websites below will give you the information you require.

*LIGHTNING*

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/srh/jetstream/li...

http://www.srh.weather.gov/srh/jetstream...

http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/primer/lightnin...

http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/edu/safety/ligh...

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/srh/jetstream/li...

http://www.disastercenter.com/guide/thun...

http://www.lightningsafety.noaa.gov/more...

http://www.lightningsafety.com/

http://science.nasa.gov/newhome/headline...

http://www.lightningtalks.com/lightningf...

http://sky-fire.tv/index.cgi/lightning.h...

http://library.thinkquest.org/03oct/0075...

http://www.windows.ucar.edu/tour/link=/e...

*TORNADOES*

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/srh/jetstream/ts...

http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/

http://www.nssl.noaa.gov/faq/faq_tor.php

http://www.tornadochaser.net/safety.html

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/oun/wxsafety/sev...

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/lmk/preparedness...

http://www.disastercenter.com/guide/torn...

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/fwd/wcm/safety_r...

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/brochures/tor...

http://www.srh.noaa.gov/elp/swww/v5n1/to...

http://library.thinkquest.org/03oct/0075...

http://www.tornadoproject.com/safety/saf...

http://www.redcross.org/services/disaste...

http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/oa/climate/seve...

http://climate.ok.gov/tornadosafety/home...

Answer 2

~Information of Tornadoes~

Nature's Most Dangerous Storm

Although tornadoes occur in many parts of the world, these destructive forces of nature are found most frequently in the United States east of the Rocky Mountains during the spring and summer months. In an average year, 800 tornadoes are reported nationwide, resulting in 80 deaths and over 1,500 injuries. A tornado is defined as a violently rotating column of air extending from a thunderstorm to the ground. The most violent tornadoes are capable of tremendous destruction with wind speeds of 250 mph or more. Damage paths can be in excess of one mile wide and 50 miles long. Once a tornado in Broken Bow, Oklahoma, carried a motel sign 30 miles and dropped it in Arkansas!

What Causes a Tornado?

Thunderstorms develop in warm, moist air in advance of eastward-moving cold fronts. These thunderstorms often produce large hail, strong winds, and tornadoes. Tornadoes in the winter and early spring are often associated with strong, frontal systems that form in the Central States and move east. Occasionally, large outbreaks of tornadoes occur with this type of weather pattern. Several states may be affected by numerous severe thunderstorms and tornadoes.

During the spring in the Central Plains, thunderstorms frequently develop along a "dryline," which separates very warm, moist air to the east from hot, dry air to the west. Tornado-producing thunderstorms may form as the dryline moves east during the afternoon hours.

Along the front range of the Rocky Mountains, in the Texas panhandle, and in the southern High Plains, thunderstorms frequently form as air near the ground flows "upslope" toward higher terrain. If other favorable conditions exist, these thunderstorms can produce tornadoes.

Tornadoes occasionally accompany tropical storms and hurricanes that move over land. Tornadoes are most common to the right and ahead of the path of the storm center as it comes onshore.

Tornado Variations

Some tornadoes may form during the early stages of rapidly developing thunderstorms. This type of tornado is most common along the front range of the Rocky Mountains, the Plains, and the Western States.

Tornadoes may appear nearly transparent until dust and debris are picked up.

Occasionally, two or more tornadoes may occur at the same time.

Waterspout

Waterspouts are weak tornadoes that form over warm water.

Waterspouts are most common along the Gulf Coast and southeastern states. In the western United States, they occur with cold late fall or late winter storms, during a time when you least expect tornado development.

Waterspouts occasionally move inland becoming tornadoes causing damage and injuries.

It is very common to be afraid of Tornadoes and Thunderstorms.

Each year, Tornadoes cause 80 deaths and 1,200 injuries every year and Tornado month/season.

Answer 3

I feel really bad for you but I can understand a little bit. Where I live we have been getting an unusual amount of storms some very heavy & scary & it freaks me out. I'm use to having 1 storm a month maybe now its everyother day & I cant take it. I call the weather like every 20min to see when the storms will end & begin & I cut off my tv, lights and I pretty much dont move until the storms are over. I all but hypervenilate myself. I cant image going through a tornado. I would probably have a nervous break down. But what gives me a little confort is praying (every 5min) or listening to my ipod to try to get my mind off of it. You will be fine just make sure you stay in the lowest part of your house away from windows.