Lots of storms come to mind. As a toddler in Indiana my parents say we saw a number of tornadoes. I don’t remember any of those. I remember severe thunderstorms in CT growing up, with massive sheet lightening and purple skies.

My first big storm was Gloria in 1985. My parents were in Hawaii for their anniversary leaving my brother and I home. I was 17 and he was 14. The storm took out the power and the winds damaged our phones. This is was 1985 so there were no cell phones yet. We broke out the camping gear, at a warm dinner and had a lantern for light. I still remember one of my neighbors yelling at his wife ‘Mary Anne where is god damn lighter fluid!’ as it got dark and we were the only ones with camping gear.

I spent the summer of 1989 in Houston Texas and at least three hurricanes or tropical storms hit during that time. I learned about Hurricane parties, Hurricane drinks and how quickly water can rise! I still remember seeing buses under water as I tried to drive home.

Moving to GA in 1990, we’ve seen our share of tornadoes over the last 20 years. Thankfully none have hit us directly, but a neighbor had a brick wall blown into his jeep as he was driving on the highway! We’ve spent many nights in the closet under the stairs with the kids during the tornado warnings.

I’ve not been in an earthquake, but I think the tornadoes are the scariest. The damage is random. A subdivision 100 yards away can be wiped out and yours is fine. Or you could wake up a find a car in your front lawn from miles away.

I don’t remember a specific hurricane that the National Weather Service named, but both my girls can get going to where you want to tape up your windows and hide from them!

I remembered another one during lunch today as the talked about Earl.

I was in New Orleans in the early 90′s (1993 maybe?) and watched a massive storm come in from on top of the highest hotel in New Orleans. It was awesome to watch, but understanding now how fragile the levies were it was pretty stupid in hindsight.

1) What sorts of natural disasters have you been through (whether small or large scale)? Any interesting tales to share? I felt the Idaho earthquake in 1983. I was working on the third floor and we took the stairs with the glass front of the building down to the parking lot. Some people waited for the elevator.
On our way home from a Illinois visit we were chased out of Kansas by a storm. Everytime we heard of a tornato siting we had just left that town. In Nebraska, it got in front of us. The sky kept getting darker and the other side of the freeway was empty. We pulled off into a gas station just as the rain started. I was glad to be home.

2) Which type (earthquake, tornado, hurricane) scares you the most? Tornado. I’ve never been in a hurricane.

3) Quiz time: Which storm has people putting taped x’s on their windows? No clue.

4) Has there ever been a hurricane (during your lifetime) that has carried the name of either you or a loved one?
Again, not a big hurricane person, but I’m sure there’s never been a hurricane Lynn.

1) Now that Dru mentioned it, I remember the blizzard of 77/78, too. That’s the year I got frostbite on my toes. Had issues with it for years afterward!

I also remember Hugo (charleston 1989) quite vividly as I was forced to evacuate from my very own (and first) apartment.

2. Tornados scare me the most for the same reason Chris said. The randomness. With a hurricane you have warning. Tornados, little to none.

3. Hurricanes. Though I didn’t know why until Carol just said. Thanks, Carol!

4. There was an Erin one year (in the 90′s, I believe) after my daughter.