What To Do If You’re Driving When A Tornado Hits
Key Takeaways
Know When to Seek Shelter Immediately
If a tornado is visible and moving closer, abandon your vehicle and get to a sturdy building or storm shelter. Cars offer little protection against tornadoes.
Stay Low and Protected If Shelter Isn’t Available
If you can’t reach shelter, find a low-lying area like a ditch. Cover your head, stay flat, and avoid overpasses, which can increase risk during tornadoes.
Monitor Emergency Alerts and Plan Ahead
Keep a charged phone, tune into local weather warnings, and set your evacuation route beforehand. Preparation and real-time information are your best defenses.
We’re currently in the heart of tornado season. Surely, the Midwestern states come to mind as areas in the bullseye; however, all 50 states have experienced a tornado according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Here’s what to do if you’re driving a car during a tornado.
Tornado Warning Signs
First, it’s important to know the warning signs of a tornado, which include:
- Large hail and heavy rain followed by a calm period and a sudden wind shift
- Low, dark clouds that appear to be rotating
- Deep rumbling that sounds like an approaching freight train
- Swirling debris on the ground
What To Do If You’re Driving During A Tornado
If a tornado touches down, admittedly, a car isn’t the most ideal place to be; however, drivers can try some of these alternatives to take cover.
- If you’re driving during a nearby tornado, do not try to outrun it. You should pull over, duck down below the windows in the vehicle, keep your seatbelts fastened and cover your head with your hands or a blanket or cushion.
- For tornadoes off in the distance, try driving away from the funnel cloud, moving at 90 degree angles from its path. See if you can find a sturdy building to seek shelter. Banks and fast food restaurants often work well because they have fortified structures like a vault or a freezer.
- As another alternative, you can pull over, exit your vehicle and take cover in a low-lying ditch on the side of the road if a tornado forms nearby. Again, cover your head with your hands or a blanket. You should only consider exiting your vehicle if you can do so safely.
What To Do After The Tornado Passes
When a tornado hits, refrain from taking cover under an overpass. Contrary to popular tornado myths, overpasses don’t offer much protection from flying debris, which causes the most tornado-related injuries.
After the tornado passes, use extreme caution and avoid dangerous debris such as broken glass, nails and other sharp objects. Always stay away from downed power lines, because it can be impossible to tell whether they are live or not. Lastly, don’t enter buildings that have sustained heavy damage because they could collapse.
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