The house I grew up in was next to the woods. I was usually always gun-shy about storms when I was young, but mostly because of lightning. I've never been in a hurricane, never actually seen a full blown tornado, but I have been through a couple of massive microbursts. The first one when I was about 20 was absolutely fascinating, no lightning or thunder near by, just rain and hundred-mile-a-hour wind roaring through the trees. Everybody else went for cover, but I went out on our sheltered back porch and watched. It was truly amazing just to stand and watch. Much more interesting than any show about wild weather on TV. Until.. a 40 foot pecan tree blew right over nearby. I went right down in the basement and stayed there. Since then, when I see reporters standing out in hurricane force winds trying to read their stories to show how strong the winds are, I think, 'How crazy are these people?'