Q: What if I am driving and I see a tornado coming, is a highway overpass really the safest place to take shelter?
A: If you are driving and see a tornado coming, the best thing you can do is evacuate your car and seek shelter. Do NOT try to outrun the tornado. Tornadoes are much quicker than you and more sporadic, giving them the ability to lift and/or roll your car with you inside. If there are no buildings nearby or there is not enough time to reach it safely, find a ditch or gully and lie down as low as you can using your arms to cover your head and neck. (Be sure to be aware of any rising water so you don’t risk drowning.)
There are a lot of myths about seeking overpasses to find shelter, but this is NOT a good idea. Research meteorologist Dr. Harold Brooks says that “overpasses act like wind tunnels that accelerate the flow of the storm.” He continues to say that it could be compared to “taking a garden hose and putting your thumb over it, the water gets a lot stronger going out through that small opening. And that’s essentially what the tornado does going through that little area of the overpass.”
Remember to keep an eye on the sky and an ear on the radio, look and listen for signs of a tornado coming. If there is a warning in your area, STAY home and seek shelter in an NSSA certified storm shelter, like ours at Tornado Alley Armor.