Imagine that a tornado is barreling down on your location, and you only have a few minutes to decide where to go or what to do in order to protect yourself. Would you make the right choices in the heat of the moment? Unfortunately, there are a lot of myths and misinformation about tornado safety that people inadvertently believe are true, and following these tips can end up putting them in greater danger. Let’s take a look at a few common examples so you can see if you’re preparedness efforts are on track.
Opening Windows
A common belief is that opening windows as a tornado approaches will equalize pressure and prevent structures from exploding. This is not at all true. While pressure does drop near tornadoes, it never reaches a level that would cause objects to expand to the point where they would explode. Wind and debris associated with tornadoes is what causes damage, and opening windows won’t offer any form of protection whatsoever. In fact, opening windows can put people at greater risk because they are near glass as a tornado approaches, and they also lose valuable time that should be spent on seeking shelter.
Hide in Southwest Corner
Another popular misconception is that the safest place to be when a tornado strikes is in the southwest corner of a structure. The logic behind this is that tornadoes approach from the southwest, and most of the damage occurs in front of them as they move forward. This is based on observations made back in the 19th century, long before the advent of meteorological science. The reality is that all corners of a structure are equally at risk of being damaged. This is why experts tell people to either get underground or find an interior room instead. Just look at pictures or videos of tornado-ravaged areas, and you’ll notice that these are the areas that are most-likely to remain unscathed after a tornado strikes.
Tornadoes Go in One Direction
Urban legend dictates that tornadoes move from the southwest to the northeast. While this is true for about half of storm systems that produce tornadoes, tornadoes can move in any direction depending on what track the thunderstorm is taking. Consequently, moving to the northwest or southeast will not necessarily get you out of the path of an oncoming twister.
Size Matters
A lot of people tend to associate the destructive potential of a tornado based on its size. However, it’s important to remember that even the smallest tornadoes can produce violent winds in excess of 100 MPH and hurl debris thousands of feet in any direction. Don’t be lulled into a false sense of security just because you’re looking at a small tornado and thinking it’s harmless. You’re just as likely to be killed or injured if you get in the path of a small one as you are a large one. Additionally, some large tornadoes can actually be less-powerful than their smaller counterparts, and this is one of the reasons that meteorologists rank their intensity based on wind speed instead of size.
Highway Overpasses are Safe
Hiding under overpasses seems like a good idea when encountering a tornado on the road. They look strong, secure and there are plenty of nooks and crannies to squeeze into. However, you’re actually safer laying in a ditch by the side of the road instead of under a beam or girder. Bridges can become damaged, you’re still exposed to flying debris, and the winds can push or pull people from their hiding places.
Bodies of Water Protect Us
Tornadoes can travel through lakes and rivers just as easily as they can move along the ground, and bodies of water will do nothing to slow or stop their advance. Remember that tornadoes are controlled by the movement of the storms they’re forming from, and water does nothing to alter this trajectory. Furthermore, tornadoes don’t lose power by sucking up water instead of debris either.
Tornadoes Don’t Strike Cities
Tornadoes don’t have a preference when it comes to the terrain they travel across, and cities are just as vulnerable as rural areas. Just look at Oklahoma City, Joplin, Chicago, Cleveland and dozens of other metropolitan areas that have been hit by tornadoes over the years. The reason that fewer cities are impacted by tornadoes than rural communities has more to do with geography and luck than anything else.
These examples illustrate the importance of separating fact from fiction when it comes to tornado preparedness. Make sure that you are familiarizing yourself with sound advice so that you can minimize your exposure to danger if you are ever in the path of an oncoming tornado.