Best Place to Live for Tornadoes

[Bryce Kintigh]

Growing up on the Kansas/Nebraska border, I certainly saw my share of severe weather. 2004 lit up as a hot spot between Thayer Co, NE and Republic Co, KS. Although now being based out of Wichita also has definite pluses. Concordia wouldn't be a bad town to be based out of. Population has been declining, but still has all of the major services, and Salina is only 40 minutes away.

I think I'll stick with Wichita as my favorite town to be based out of. Easy three hour drive in any direction covers most chases that I can see myself engaging in.

 

[Bobby Prentice]

I've got an article on the Storm Chasing page of my Atmospheric Images web site that covers this very issue. It's called "When and Where to Chase". The where to chase part is best covered by the maps below:

Supercell proxy

I guess anywhere near the center of the "Chase Alley" map (Plainview, Texas to Wakeeney, Kansas) would be the "best place." Not surprisingly, this corresponds to the climatological position of an active dryline. However, most people are unable to earn a living in a small town or unwilling to live with the limited services of a small town. There aren't any metro areas directly within that corridor, but the nearest ones are Amarillo (240K), Lubbock (270K), Wichita Falls (150K), Oklahoma City (1.2 million), Lawton (110K), Wichita (600K), and Lincoln (290K).

 

[J. Sims]

I'm moving to the Emporia area but I really don't know what to expect yet, since I haven't been there in over 4 years but I will find out at the end of May and during the summer.

 

[Bob Hartig]

Stepping back a few feet from this discussion to get a perspective on it as a whole, I've got to chuckle. Man, if ever there was proof that storm chasers are a breed apart, this is it. A generous supply of tornadoes just isn't a high point for the average homebuyer. Here is a conversation you're unlikely to overhear at a restaurant:
"I've decided to move."
"Why? Vermont is such a beautiful state."
"Not enough tornadoes. I'm thinking maybe Salina, Kansas."

Most Americans don't think that way.

Just thought I'd point out, in the midst of all this thoughtful and very earnest input, how strange this topic is. I've thought about it myself, so don't take my comment wrong. I just have to laugh, that's all.

 

[Dan Robinson]

I've also given some thought to the I-64 corridor between STL and Evansville, IN. The terrain is very flat with lots of open farmland, and just generally appealing to me as a chaser. Good for the early spring, mid-summer and fall severe events, and close enough to the eastern US to not be too far from family. I love the drive through STL SW on I-44 or east on I-70, which would be a perk.

For me, a second home (or new primary home), wherever it is, has to be more than just a strategic chase base. I want the open sky in my backyard to see every sunset and sunrise, every incoming squall line, meteor shower, aurora and any other sky event there is.

As far as the tornado damage threat, that's what insurance is for. It's true it would cost more to rebuild than what a house out there is worth - but I think I'd only insure for actual value and not plan to rebuild. If the house gets flattened, I just break even on the property, sell/give away the land and find another place somewhere.

 

[Verne Carlson]

This was my planning map for when I thought about where the best places would be to chase out of in tornado alley. My house in Denver is where I work and spend most of my time. Amarillo, TX and Russell, KS are also circled here showing where I could leave in the morning and still make a target by 2pm (a six hour drive roughly).

 

[Steve Sherrod]

kansas

I'm in Wichita and I can drive 5 hrs and be in texas, oklahoma panhandles, dallas tx, springfield mo., omaha ne, or anywhere in between. It also depends on the time of year early spring or late spring. But, Wichita is perfect in my opinion. Major highways, I35,I70,I40 all very close.
Second choice would be....Oklahoma city area... excellent also.

 

[Heather Moser]

I've lived in about ten different towns in Kansas, and I'd have to say Pratt was the best just purely from a living perspective. Northwest and Southwest Kansas are full of friendly people and a cheap cost of living, but you're literally hours from the nearest major cities, and if you wanted to cover a lot of distance in a short amount of time you are also hours from the nearest north-south interstate option. Pratt was a large enough town to have everything you need and it's only a short drive from Wichita and I-35.

Plus, even though I'm in central Oklahoma right now I've ended up back in Pratt more times while chasing than anywhere else in all of the plains.

 

[Heather Moser]

I should also add that a project has just begun to expand U.S. Hwy 54 to four lanes between Kingman and at least Pratt (maybe as far west as Mullinville but I'm not sure). That will be an excellent east-west option for chasing when it's finished.

 

[Teri Mooney]

Pratt is sounding better all the time. Thanks.

 

[Jason Foster]

sweet graphic.

This was my planning map for when I thought about where the best places would be to chase out of in tornado alley. My house in Denver is where I work and spend most of my time. Amarillo, TX and Russell, KS are also circled here showing where I could leave in the morning and still make a target by 2pm (a six hour drive roughly).

Verne.....you like me....geek it up with maps and graphics. I did a similar map years ago...by hand...but thinking more on the extend to understand drive times from one chase day to the next....but it is virtually the same idea. From that I did come to the conclusion that South Central Kansas is the best place to be to reach the hot zones. But for this thread it doesn't take in other values already discussed....but I love the map.

 

[L.B. LaForce]

Cherry County, NE that's all I can say..lol. It's your own state almost!

 

[Justin Turcotte]

Another vote for Pratt. Beautiful town with most amenities and not too far from Wichita for a more urban setting.

 

[Laura Dragoo]

After living through an F4 in 2004 and becoming increasingly aware of the weather surrounding me I would say my neck of the woods gives a person a lot of options when there's an outbreak.

 

[rdale]

Miami (along with 7 other Florida cities) is a better place to live if you want tornadoes than even OKC... Check the list!

Texas is about the same as Ohio too. And Idaho is making moves to be the next hotbed...

http://arkansasmatters.com/content/fulltext/news?cid=186771

Hmmm.