Question about tornadoes--if you're driving somewhere in the middle of nowhere,

[raccoon]

and a tornado is approaching, what do you do? If you're close to an interstate bridge
is that a safe place to hide?

[warrior1]

1. probably

[Lisa D]

2. It's safer than out in the open

Experts advise to lay low in a ditch. I would personally crawl into a culvert if one was nearby. In truth, I'd probably try to outrun the tornado in my car. I know that what you're NOT supposed to do, but I think the temptation would be almost impossible to resist.

[Old Codger]

14. No good

The amount of rain involved in tornadoes can be huge, you would be in more danger there than outside in a low spot.

[Lisa D]

15. Good point.

Besides, culverts are full of toads and other creatures that I'd rather not meet on a dark and stormy night. I'll stick with making a run for it in my car

[Brickbat]

3. If possible, drive away, perpedicular to its path -- if it's heading northeast, drive southeast

or northwest.

[bvar22]

21. If the tornado looks like it is Standing Still,

...it is heading STRAIGHT toward (or away) from you.
If the Tornado vortex is drifting either right or left with respect to the horizon (horizontal reference from your viewpoint),
it will pass to the side of your position.
Tornadoes generally track West to East, so an evasion track would be North or South.

The above was gleaned from dutifully watching several seasons of StormChasers.
They try to position themselves at that point where there is no observable horizontal drift of the vortex (standing still),
but, of course, they WANT to be hit.

Tornadoes CAN and DO change course,
so the above is a rule of thumb.


If a hit was unavoidable, I would look for the lowest ditch, hole, or shallow depression in my immediate area,
and worry about flood water later.

[comipinko]

4. NO !!!!!!!!!!!!

The "wind tunnel " effect has the potential to be deadly!! Dispite tales to the contrary this is NOT recomended.Find a ditch, lay flat.

[Motown_Johnny]

16. +1 ---> Please read that post <-----

[DURHAM D]

5. Just drive the other way.

In the middle of nowhere you can see where its coming from so you know where its going to. It is not difficult to get out of the way.

I know this because I am from Kansas.

[Ian David]

6. I thought I remember reading that you should drive perpendicular to the direction of the tornado. nt

[DURHAM D]

10. Brickbat's post above is the correct advice.

[raccoon]

17. I asked because I'm going to make a trip to KS when it gets warmer. nt

[DURHAM D]

20. In its own way it is beautiful.

I live in NC and we have too many trees. When I just can't take it any more I drive to the coast and look at the ocean. The open view, colors, and movement (the waves remind one of wheat fields just before harvet) is the same as home.

The one thing I don't miss is the wind, the constant wind. Makes my hair ugly.

[snooper2]

7. This is why you should be able to dig a foxhole in 1 minute flat

[seabeyond]

8. they say dont do the over pass. there was a popular video of adults

hearding kids up under and overpass. they survived. but became popular and the experts said that is the wrong thing to do. they say, find a ditch or lowest ground on side of road.

unfortunately, i live in really flat panhandle, lol

it is scary.

i like, turn and go the other way. but they say dont do that. tornadoes unpredictable. i would think you could outrun.

i have made trips late at night in this area and come upon scary skies. always alone. i called hubby and make him check out weather. not i have it in car. i would rather know and avoid.

[2QT2BSTR8]

9. Do NOT go under a bridge.

Speaking from experience in the TX panhandle, the wind forces blowing under the channeled area under a bridge can be dangerous if not deadly. I agree with above comments. Find a deep open trench, and hunker down.

[Coyote_Bandit]

11. The problem with laying in a ditch

is that you have a very real liklihood of being hit by debris - some of which can be significant in size. You don't have to be particularly close to the tornado to be hit by debris. I have family members who live about 45 minutes from last years New Years Day tornado in Cincinnatti (sp? - south of Siloam Springs Arkansas). They had three debris pieces in their backyard the size of quarter and half plywood sheets

Don't try to outrun the thing in your vehicle. The vehicle can be picked up and become airborne. Wind speeds often well in excess of a hundred miles per hour produces debris traveling at similar speeds.

Tornadoes generally travel from the southwest toward the northeast though that can vary. Your best option is to travel in a direction that takes you away from the tornado.

You can hide under a highway overpass but there is a wind tunnel effect. Of course, there also often are wind tunnel effects in downtown office areas that are impacted by high winds and tornadic storms. Wind speeds can change suddenly and dramatically. One of the hallmarks of tornadic storms is that winds do not travel in a single direction - they are clyconic.

I've lived in tornado alley for nearly 50 years. I hate storm season.

[HopeHoops]

12. Get out and find a ditch to lie down in. That's the only safe place.

[wandy]

13. Been there; done that.

Long ago and far away. Somewhere between Endicott NY and Elmira NY I found myself smack dab in the path of one of those things.
Scary as hell. I stratled a ditch with a monster 72 Chrysler, and cralled under the beast. Didn't hit me full on but close enough to know something very bad was happening up their.

[sufrommich]

18. We were always taught to find the

lowest ground area and lay flat while covering your head.

[Edweird]

19. Stop the car and get out. Find a ditch or depression and cover your head.

An underpass is only good if you can get up the bank to the very top where you are shielded by the bottom of the bridge where it meets the ground. Otherwise it acts as a wind tunnel and is actually worse than being out in the open.