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What is this?
Are vehicles safe from tornadoes?
Published Friday, June 5, 2009
The scenario: You find yourself in a car, far from any shelter, and a tornado is approaching. What do you do?
Common sense should tell you that if you are adequately prepared for severe weather, you shouldn’t find yourself in this situation. But if you do, should you stay in your vehicle or get in a ditch?
“Neither is a good spot. It’s a choice between two evils,” said John Ferree, severe storm services leader with the National Weather Service’s Warning Decision Training Branch in Norman, Okla.
Both the American Red Cross and National Weather Service agree that a sturdy shelter is the best place to be during a tornado. But a revised statement from the Red Cross indicates that when no other shelter is available, a vehicle may provide the best protection from flying debris.
“We’re not recommending that people get in a car during a tornado. We’re just saying that it’s the better alternative to a ditch,” said Jacqueline C. Buck, CEO of the American Red Cross’ Central Alabama region.
The new guidelines are based on six research studies by various authors over the past 20 years. Part of this research is based on wind tunnel studies done on cars. The guidelines read as follows:
• Get into a vehicle, buckle your seat belt and drive at right angles to the storm movement so you can get out of the path of the tornado.
• If strong winds and flying debris occur while you are driving, pull over and park, keeping seat belts on and the engine running. Put your head down below the windows and cover your head with your hands and a blanket if possible.
But NWS has not been as quick to change its guidelines, which include the following:
• Get out of automobiles
• Do not try to outrun a tornado in your car; instead, leave it immediately for safe shelter.
• If caught outside or in a vehicle, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands.
“Wind speeds in a ditch or depression would be much lower than in your vehicle just above the ground,” Ferree pointed out.
Because flying debris is the number one cause of fatalities in tornadoes, Ferree expressed concerns about debris going through cars. He added that 8 percent of fatalities occur in vehicles.
“I think we have enough fatalities in vehicles right now that we should question that we have enough research,” Ferree said.
The effectiveness of guidelines also depends on the situation. It’s more conceivable that someone would try to outrun a tornado in Oklahoma, where tornadoes can be easy to see, than in Alabama where trees, terrain, moisture and cover of night make them less visible.
“If you can’t see it, you can’t really know where to drive,” Ferree said.
Both organizations agree on the importance of preparedness in severe weather, which should preempt all other plans.
“I think the bottom line is, don’t get yourself caught in that situation,” Ferree said.
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Comments
Posted by Littlelady8451 (anonymous) on June 6, 2009 at 10:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Okay Graves I can see not being in a car or a tractor.But a tornado (if strong enough) can kill you if you are in a house or a double wide so it really don't matter now does it.
Posted by Littlelady8451 (anonymous) on June 7, 2009 at 12:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Well now I DID NOT say a double wide was safe now did I.All I said was a house is no stronger to be in if a tornado (was strong enough) learn how to read first of all.A tornade can damage a house just as bad. I am from the midwest and I have seen a tornado flatten a house on one side of the street and not the other side.So it don't matter what you live in now does it.And as far as James Spann We don't live in Jefferson County or Shelby County so I don't think that none of the news media covers storm's that come in Chilton County as well.
Posted by Littlelady8451 (anonymous) on June 7, 2009 at 9:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)
well excuse me I spelled a word wrong.I guess you are a teacher/weathers reporter/contractor/ (WHATEVER) and for your FYI I am from a big city and all the buildings are brick.Most houses I see are vinyl.I lived in a house here and it was poorly constructed.So I don't know were you live maybe you should leave your subdivison once in a while.It sounds like you mite be jealous of a person who lives in a double wide. People live were they can afford.Maybe people are smart and try not to drown in debt trying to have a big fancy house in some no name sub divison.And when they are dead the family fights like cats and dogs to see who will sell it.And not everyone can afford to build a house out of steel.It has been nice but everyone has a voice here not just YOU!!!!
Posted by PhilBurnette (anonymous) on June 8, 2009 at 12:41 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Steve, you seem to attract all the ones with chips on their shoulders regardless of the topic. Whether you are being straightforward or obviously sarcastic someone is going to get their knickers in a knot when you post.
Keep up the good work. I can always use a laugh or two.
Posted by November162000 (anonymous) on June 8, 2009 at 1:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Littlelady8451: Just curious, if a tornado (of any strength) is approaching you, would you prefer to be in a mobile home or a conventionally built home?
Posted by gonefishen (anonymous) on June 8, 2009 at 4:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)
JUMPED !!!!
RUFFED UP !!!!!
KICKED TO THE CURB !!!!!!
NEXT ?
Entertainment value - PRICELESS !!! LMAO
Posted by AZSneed (anonymous) on June 8, 2009 at 7:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I have never known anyone to be an "EXPERT" about anything. So the advice, suggestions, or guidelines that MAY save your life, is up to the person. If you follow the advise, and die, is it your fault or the person/group giving the advice. It don't matter, you are dead!
As for common sense, if you are in a vehicle and know the path of the storm. and no shelter, then drive away from the storm. Say for example, the storm is moving northeast, you drive southeast. The storm passes, the go back, if needed.
Posted by ronburgundy (anonymous) on June 9, 2009 at 9:20 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Thelast storm blowed my trailer over so I don't thinks they safe at all.
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