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What should you do if you encounter a tornado while driving on the highway?
Posted on 12/23/15 at 10:16 am
Posted on 12/23/15 at 10:16 am
I am about to drive to the in-laws for the holidays and we are about to battle this storm cell.
Just curious if a tornado appeared what I'm supposed to do. It will be at night so stopping, pulling a uturn, and driving away from a tornado isn't really plausible.
Drive into a ditch then get out the car and take cover? Is getting out of the car a dumb or smart move?
I am a South Louisiana guy. We got drunk during hurricanes and never really experienced tornadoes.
Just curious if a tornado appeared what I'm supposed to do. It will be at night so stopping, pulling a uturn, and driving away from a tornado isn't really plausible.
Drive into a ditch then get out the car and take cover? Is getting out of the car a dumb or smart move?
I am a South Louisiana guy. We got drunk during hurricanes and never really experienced tornadoes.
18
Posted on 12/23/15 at 10:17 am to TheCaterpillar
Maintain eye contact to establish dominance.
Posted on 12/23/15 at 10:18 am to LucasP
Posted on 12/23/15 at 10:19 am to TheCaterpillar
Find somewhere covered, an overpass, underpass, drainage culvert... if you can't, I think a ditch and getting low would be the best option.
Posted on 12/23/15 at 10:19 am to LucasP
quote:
Maintain eye contact to establish dominance.
I know I've told you before, but you're the best poster on this site.
Posted on 12/23/15 at 10:20 am to TheCaterpillar
Drive straight for it. Chances are, it'll be gone by the time you get there.
Posted on 12/23/15 at 10:21 am to TheCaterpillar
I don't really know what the right answer is but I've thought about this situation and I'm thinking I would jump in the center back seat of my truck and buckle up. Seems like hoping the vehicle can give some sort of protection would be better than exiting the vehicle.
Posted on 12/23/15 at 10:21 am to TheCaterpillar
Go watch that movie with Dennis quaid
Posted on 12/23/15 at 10:21 am to LSUBoo
quote:
Find somewhere covered, an overpass, underpass,
I think this is the last thing you're supposed to do.
Pull over to a store and get in the bathroom.
Or get in a ditch. Luckily for you the ditches on your way are really steep.
Posted on 12/23/15 at 10:22 am to TheCaterpillar
Park under an overpass and protect yourself from flying debris. If no overpass, get in a ditch.
Posted on 12/23/15 at 10:22 am to TheCaterpillar
In all probability, you should die.
Posted on 12/23/15 at 10:23 am to SabiDojo
quote:
Or get in a ditch. Luckily for you the ditches on your way are really steep.
Yeah they are. Especially in North Alabama. They are carved out of steep rock walls too. I think that's my best bet.
Posted on 12/23/15 at 10:24 am to TheCaterpillar
How will you see a tornado at night?
Posted on 12/23/15 at 10:24 am to TheCaterpillar
I'll tell you what an aunt and uncle of mine did. They were in rural Mississippi on a two lane road trying to get home. Trees lined both sides of the road so they couldn't see very far. Once they noticed the tops of the trees swirling around and the debris in the air really picked up my uncle pulled off the road and let the rear of their Civic face the road while the front was angled downwards. I'm not sure how close the tornado got but hail demolished the rear window but left the windshield intact because it was facing away from the wind. The entire car had dimples on it from the hail.
When you're in that situation, like you said, outrunning a tornado is not a realistic possibility.
When you're in that situation, like you said, outrunning a tornado is not a realistic possibility.
Posted on 12/23/15 at 10:24 am to upgrayedd
quote:
How will you see a tornado at night?
Flying cows
Posted on 12/23/15 at 10:25 am to PhiTiger1764
Best you can do is exit vehicle find a ditch or get underground. If no other option exists just buckle up and get below window level to avoid flying debris. It's what I've been told anyway.
Posted on 12/23/15 at 10:27 am to TheCaterpillar
Tornados travel west to east.
Depending on location of it I'll out smart it by hauling arse north or south of its path.
Depending on location of it I'll out smart it by hauling arse north or south of its path.
Posted on 12/23/15 at 10:30 am to JScoop8
From weather underground
"If you're in your car on the road when a tornado is approaching, hiding under an overpass is your safest bet."
MYTH
This is probably the worst tornado myth. Taking shelter under an overpass is one of the most dangerous things you can do when a tornado is approaching. The reason has to do with the way the tornado's winds could potentially interact with the bridge structure. At the very least, taking shelter under an overpass puts you at a higher elevation with no protection from debris and winds. The Norman, Oklahoma Weather Service office compiled a presentation on the topic after the May 3, 1999 tornado outbreak, which can be viewed here. More on tornado safety here.
LINK
"If you're in your car on the road when a tornado is approaching, hiding under an overpass is your safest bet."
MYTH
This is probably the worst tornado myth. Taking shelter under an overpass is one of the most dangerous things you can do when a tornado is approaching. The reason has to do with the way the tornado's winds could potentially interact with the bridge structure. At the very least, taking shelter under an overpass puts you at a higher elevation with no protection from debris and winds. The Norman, Oklahoma Weather Service office compiled a presentation on the topic after the May 3, 1999 tornado outbreak, which can be viewed here. More on tornado safety here.
LINK
This post was edited on 12/23/15 at 10:32 am
Posted on 12/23/15 at 10:31 am to TheCaterpillar
Posted on 12/23/15 at 10:31 am to just1dawg
quote:
my uncle pulled off the road and let the rear of their Civic face the road while the front was angled downwards.
...so I can tell that tornado to kiss my arse.
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