I'm going to step away from real estate and discuss a topic that has NOTHING to do with selling homes or working with buyers or short sales or where our market is going. It has everything to do with safety and awareness - if just one person is helped by this article, then I have done my job and earned a peaceful night's rest.

If you live in Florida, you may not know that the last 2 weeks of February and most of March are the most likely months in which we will experience TORNADOES. I was 1 class short of earning a minor in "Weatherology" (as my wife likes to call it) so let me explain...

As spring approaches, we begin to experience warmer, moister weather. The cold arctic blasts don't arrive as quickly and many die before they reach this far south. Howver, these High pressure systems (dense cold air) sometime drive south like a wedge over the Appalachians and across Florida. When this happens, that wedges moves in underneath the warmer, moist Spring air, driving it upward...the air becomes unstable and !voila! you get very violent storms.

Tornadoes are unpredictable and cause localized damage that may be spread over many miles.

So what can you do?

1) Be vigilant. Tornadoes may be unpredicatable, but the ingredients that cause them are essentially the same. Anytime a cold High pressure system is forecast to sweep through your area, stay alert. Listen for Tornado Watches and plan accordingly. Tornadoes are likely when there is a clearly delineated line of Severe Thunderstorms.

2) If you're at home, have a plan. Where will you go if there is a Warning for your area? Interior rooms are the best - if you don't have one, pick an area with minimal windows.

3) Look for the signs. You may not be near a tv or radio, but it doesn't mean you won't see one coming. In my experience, anytime the sky turns a weird shade of gray with a greenish tint, be careful. Airborne debris such as leaves are also a good indication of updrafts and potentially dangerous weather. If the wind all of a sudden picks up, stay on your toes. And if you hear a train when you don't live anywhere near tracks, seek cover immediately.

If your area or home is impacted by a tornado, most likely you will be a first responder. Tornadoes typically leave much debris in roads and nails, lumber, and downed trees make it almost impossible for emergency vehicles to respond immediately.

While it's easy for me to type "Don't Panic", most of us will. And you know what? It's ok. You have insurance for your house and furniture can be replaced. People cannot be replaced and that's why you need to be aware and have a plan.

Now go enjoy that Spring weather ;-)