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Why not drive away from a tornado?

Updated: 9/24/2023
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The path of a tornado can be unpredictable and one can overtake you more quickly than expected. Once caught in a tornado, a car offers little protection and you are actually better off taking cover in a ditch.

In terms of evacuating, a study house, especially one with a basement, offers far better protection. Attempting to evacuate a populated area would likely lead to traffic jams and possibly accidents, which would slow the evacuation with potentially catestrophic results. This is compounded by the fact that the pek of daily tornado activity often coincides with rush hour.

One of the most infamous cases took place on April 10, 1979 when an F4 tornado struck Wichita Falls, Texas. Some people attempted to fleed the tornado. Of the 42 people killed by the Wichita Falls tornado, 25 died in their vehicles. Some of the victims ended up driving directly into the tornado's path, while it completely missed their homes.

More recently, on May 31, 2013, a massive tornado was tracked as it headed toward Oklahoma City. Some people attempted to evacuate, only to become struck in rush hour traffic, leaving them completely vulnerable if the tornado should come their way. The tornado started moving toward a densely packed section of highway, but fortunately dissipated before it got there. This tornado killed 8 people, including 4 storm chasers, all in vehicles. It is believed that, had this tornado continued into heavy traffic, the death toll might have exceeded 500.

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Q: Why not drive away from a tornado?
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Related questions

How do you get away from a tornado?

It is best to take shelter from a tornado than to try to outrun it. If you are in a vehicle with no access to shelter and the tornado is distant it is best to drive perpendicular to the tornado's path in order to get out of its way.


What do you do if you are in a car when a tornado is forming?

You either drive as fast and carefully away from the tornado, or if there is a tornado shelter nearby, hide in it. Don't go under a bridge or overpass since these act as windtunnels.


In a vehicle in a tornado?

If you are in a vehicle get to shelter. If you cannot and the tornado is far away, drive perpendicular to the path to get out of is way. If it is getting close abandon the vehicle and take cover in a ditch or depression.


Should you drive away in a tornado or stay in a house?

Generally you should shelter in place during a tornado as you are more likely to survive if caught in your house than if caught in a car. Evacuating from a tornado is not as simple as it sounds, as the paths of tornadoes can be unpredictable and it is possible to get stuck in traffic since peak tornado activity often coincides with the evening rush hour. That said, if you are in a mobile home when a tornado is coming you should leave it for sturdier shelter.


Why are tornado warnings helpful?

they tell you to get ready for the tornado be safe get away from windows, etc! They help u be ssafe


How far away do you have to be for m a tornado?

please use complete sentences and words... "for m a tornado" makes no sense


Which famous fictional characters was swept away from Kansas in a tornado?

Dorothy Gale from "The Wizard of Oz" was swept away from Kansas in a tornado.


What is the violent tornado?

A violent tornado is one that achieves a rating of EF4 or EF5 on the Enhanced Fujita Scale. In such a tornado, well-constrcuted houses are levelled or swept away.


What happens to living and non living things if a tornado happens?

The area in which the tornado happens can erode the area away cause the animals that lived there to have no home or die of the tornado


Can a tornado disappear right away?

It can seem that way at times. A small, weak tornado can dissipate suddenly in a matter of seconds.


What are the drawback of tornado?

Being carried away to the Land of Oz.


What to do when a tornado strikes?

hide in your basement and stay away from windows