Well, it sounds like you're from central US. Not sure where people are from, though I can pick up hints. In places where they never(or almost) have tornadoes they might not be as educated about severe weather. As far as why this area lately? Just mother nature's chaotic patterns and the ondds catching up. We've gone years w/o the sirens ever going off here. Patterns change in various ways-very complex. Nothing mystical I don't think. Dodged the last round here,anyway.