Does hiding under an overpass during a tornado really keep you safe?
Sep 07, 2010
in
Tornado
Does it really work, or would the tornado suck me out from under it?
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4 comments
Water on September 7, 2010 at 12:55 am
It was very unfortunate that the popular video taken while a tornado passed near a overpass made it appear that it was a safe haven. It is not.
The National Weather Service, the American Red Cross and other safety agencies have worked hard to get the word out that underpasses are very dangerous in a tornado. This has been a frequently asked question at safety meetings and the probability of being sucked out of the underpass is high!
You are nearly as well off in a mobile home. In other words, don’t use a underpass as a shelter.
See the Storm Prediction Centers answer to this question at;
http://www.spc.noaa.gov/faq/tornado/#Safety
It is the 6th question down from the top.
. on September 7, 2010 at 12:55 am
No. It can suck you out but that shouldn’t be the biggest concern because the strength of a tornado can cause the overpass to collapse on top of you which can lead to death or very very serious injury. If a sturdy shelter is not available, the safest thing to do is lie in a ditch or low lying spot in an open area and cover your hands with your head.
M-girl on September 7, 2010 at 12:55 am
No it’s not safe. It would probably collapse, if it didn’t all ready blow you out.
MIKE L on September 7, 2010 at 12:55 am
It is like a airplane wing under the bridge . The wind blows faster underneath .
The tornado can suck you out or rip you apart where you holding on .