What You Should Know About Driving And Tornadoes
Driving and spotting a tornado might seem like a total nightmare, so it’s best to be prepared in case a tornado strikes. Many people seem to believe that staying in their vehicles is the best way to stay safe from a tornado. However, this can make you a stationary target for tornado winds and other sharp objects. Below is a list of things every driver should do when they come across tornadoes.
Important Things You Should Know About Tornadoes
According to the National Climatic Data Center, at least 1,100 tornado incidents occur annually in the United States. Although tornadoes can occur anytime and in any part of the country, they mainly occur in the east of the Rocky Mountains.
Two areas in particular that also have the most tornado occurrences than other states in America are Florida and "Tornado Alley," a multi-state region. Although the latter has never been officially delineated with boundaries, it includes Kansas, South Dakota, Texas, Nebraska, and Oklahoma.
Tornadoes are likely to hit at any time of the day and during any month in the aforementioned regions. However, they tend to occur more frequently in the summer and spring seasons. Tornado occurrences in southern states are usually in the month of March and May.
Your odds of encountering a tornado while driving in the US depend mostly on your location. While tornadoes aren’t always visible a first, they can easily be identified by fast-spinning funnel clouds in the sky. A few other tornado indicators include a greenish tint in the air, dark clouds, and loud train-like noises.
What To Do When You Spot A Tornado While Driving
You might be tempted to outrun a tornado the moment you spot one. However, you need to resist this urge and exercise extreme caution because a tornado’s path is unpredictable, so it will likely switch directions randomly. While trying to outrun a tornado, you might suddenly find it charging down your path.
Here are a few things to take note of in case of a tornado incident:
1. Don’t Seek Refuge In Your Car
If the situation seems bleak, you may think the best course of action is to seek shelter in your car. This, however, is a terrible idea since the approaching tornado is likely to throw objects at your vehicle, which might end up injuring or crushing you.
2. It’s Not Safe To Hide Under Bridges Or Tunnels
Under no circumstance should you hide beneath a bridge or seek shelter in a tunnel during a tornado incident. The main reason why you shouldn’t is that bridges and tunnels lack four walls, which means they won’t be able to protect you when the tornado hits.
3. Get Off The Road And Seek A Sturdy Shelter After Receiving A Tornado Warning
If you can find shelter in your environment, some of which include walk-in coolers of restaurants, convenience stores, and truck stops, head there immediately and park your car safely. If you spot a sturdy building or a less dangerous place away from the tornado’s winds, carefully drive there while avoiding fallen power lines, park your vehicle, and find any interior room in the lower level of the building to stay in.
If you cannot find such shelter without windows, make your way to the lowest point of the building, lie on the ground and cover your head with your hands. While seeking shelter, we recommend avoiding trees and areas with objects that can easily be blown away.
4. Always Travel With An Emergency Supply Kit
Since there’s no telling what could happen while you’re driving, make sure to pack a disaster supply kit and store it in your car. Your supply kit should include at least one flashlight, a large blanket, and road flashers to alert other drivers of your vehicle’s position in case you’re unable to move it out of the road for some reason.
5. Watch The Direction The Tornado Is Headed
If the tornado seems to be heading to the left or right, then chances are it’s not likely to come in your direction. Either way, it would be best to put some distance between it and your car, but remember to put on your seat belt and avoid dangerous driving.
If you notice that the tornado is not moving but keeps growing larger, chances are it will eventually reach your position, so make sure to start driving in the opposite direction while you still can.
6. Park Your Car Away From The Road If You Are Caught By Flying Debris Or Extreme Winds
If while trying to escape a tornado threat, you still end up getting caught in extreme tornado winds or by flying debris, your best possible option is to park away from traffic lanes as soon as you can. After parking, cover yourself with whatever soft cushion you can find in your vehicle and wait till the tornado passes.
7. Don’t Try To Seek Shelter Under A Highway Overpass
If you happen to come across an overpass while seeking shelter from the tornado, keep driving because such a location won’t offer you any protection if the tornado suddenly charges toward you. Alternately, staying under an overpass will put you in even greater danger, especially if objects are lying around.
Conclusion
Don’t wait till the tornado is in your proximity before taking action. While the above safety tips will help ensure your safety in the event of a tornado, it’s best not to linger or begin taking pictures. When driving around tornado-prone regions, make sure to watch your surroundings closely and check weather reports to stay prepared since tornados rarely take long to form.
