What To Do If You’re Driving During A Tornado
- If you’re driving during a nearby tornado, do not try to outrun it. ...
- For tornadoes off in the distance, try driving away from the funnel cloud, moving at 90 degree angles from its path. ...
- As another alternative, you can pull over, exit your vehicle and take cover in a low-lying ditch on the side of the road if a tornado forms nearby. ...
How do you stay safe in a car during a tornado?
Stay in the car with the seat belt on. Put your head down below the windows; cover your head with your hands and a blanket, coat, or other cushions if possible. "Be certain you have on a seatbelt and everyone else in the vehicle has on a seatbelt as well.
What to do when you see a tornado?
It's the stuff of nightmares: You're driving down the road and you see a tornado. What do you do? Most people think the best thing to do is to take shelter under an overpass or get out of the car and into a ditch or lower ground.
Can you outrun a tornado when you’re driving?
If you’re driving during a nearby tornado, do not try to outrun it. You should pull over, duck down below the windows in the vehicle, keep your seatbelts fastened and cover your head with your hands or a blanket or cushion. For tornadoes off in the distance, try driving away from the funnel cloud, moving at 90 degree angles from its path.
What happens if you get hit by a tornado?
The tornado may drop objects on your car, which could end up crushing you, or it could blow your car off you, removing your shelter. Do not seek shelter under a bridge or tunnel.
If The Tornado Is Far Enough Away
However, they warn you not to take shelter in a high-risk structure like a mobile home. Your car is safer than a mobile home, the Red Cross states...
If The Tornado Threat Is Immediate
If you're stuck in heavy traffic and there's nowhere for you to to go, it's time to duck and cover in a ditch or low spot. In that case, NOAA recom...
Why You Should Never Take Shelter Under An Overpass
It's understandable that motorists would feel safest under a sturdy structure like an overpass, but winds are actually higher in these openings, an...
How to cover your head in a car?
If there's nothing nearby, pull over off the road and park. Make sure your seat belt is on. Take cover below the windows and cover your head with your hands or any items you may have in your car.
How to protect your head from wind?
Take cover below the windows and cover your head with your hands or any items you may have in your car. Never take cover under an overpass. It's more dangerous there because of the wind tunnel effect, which can whip winds even faster and also attract flying debris.
Is it safe to drive in a tornado?
It's never safe to be caught in your car when a tornado strikes. So, if you can change your plans so you're not on the road during the threat, that is your best bet.
Is it safe to be in a car when a tornado hits?
It's never safe to be caught in your car when a tornado strikes. So, if you can change your plans so you're not on the road during the threat, that is your best bet. But if you ever do find yourself in your car when tornado sirens sound, don’t panic. Just follow these steps:
How to drive away from a tornado?
However, for stronger tornadoes, it’s best to try and drive away using cross roads at right angles to the expected path of the oncoming funnel. If no escape route is available, the recommended action may seem counterintuitive.
Is there a U.S. view on tornadoes?
This lack of reporting ability has led to a U.S.-dominated view of tornadoes among the public, as well with some meteorologists. Few European meteorological services even issue tornado warnings.
What to do if a tornado touches down?
If you’re driving during a nearby tornado, do not try to outrun it. You should pull over, duck down below the windows in the vehicle, keep your seatbelts fastened and cover your head with your hands ...
What to do after a tornado?
After the tornado passes, use extreme caution and avoid dangerous debris such as broken glass, nails and other sharp objects. Always stay away from downed power lines, because it can be impossible to tell whether they are live or not. Lastly, don’t enter buildings that have sustained heavy damage because they could collapse.
How to get tornadoes off the ground?
For tornadoes off in the distance, try driving away from the funnel cloud, moving at 90 degree angles from its path. See if you can find a sturdy building to seek shelter. Banks and fast food restaurants often work well because they have fortified structures like a vault or a freezer.
How many states have experienced tornadoes?
We’re currently in the heart of tornado season. Surely, the Midwestern states come to mind as areas in the bullseye; however, all 50 states have experienced a tornado according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Here’s what to do if you’re driving a car during a tornado.
What are the signs of a tornado?
First, it’s important to know the warning signs of a tornado, which include: Large hail and heavy rain followed by a calm period and a sudden wind shift. Low, dark clouds that appear to be rotating. Deep rumbling that sounds like an approaching freight train.
Do overpasses protect you from tornadoes?
When a tornado hits, refrain from taking cover under an overpass. Contrary to popular tornado myths, overpasses don’t offer much protection from flying debris, which causes the most tornado-related injuries.
