Tornado Myths: What is Fact or Fiction

Learn the Truth About What to do When a Tornado Strikes

Feb 25, 2008

There are many misconceptions about tornadoes and the emergency procedures you must take in your home Some are not true and can be dangerous.

Tornado Myth: Opening a window during a tornado will prevent a house from exploding.

Truth: It was believed that opening a window during a tornado would equalize the air pressure in a house but this has been proven to be not true.

Although it appears that a house has exploded due to a tornado, it really hasn’t. During a tornado, glass windows are the first to be broken by flying debris and wind force. When a strong wind enters a house, it forces the roof upwards and the walls fall outwards as a result of no structural support. Even with a window left open, the rapid attack of a tornado does not allow sufficient time for the air pressure to equalize anyway.

The experts recommend spending those precious moments seeking shelter when a tornado is approaching rather than opening the windows.

Tornado Myth: The southwest corner of a basement is the safest location during a tornado.

Truth: It was believed that most tornadoes blow in from the southwest and the debris would be pushed to the opposite side of the basement. Although many tornadoes come from the southwest, they can change direction in an instant. Studies performed after a tornado have shown that a southwesterly tornado will shift a house to the northwest thus causing the southwest corner of a basement to collapse due to a sudden lack of structural support.

The best shelter in a building is in the middle of the basement because it is away from exterior walls. Hide under sturdy or protective objects such as the stairs, or workbench/heavy table or a mattress. The intent is to stay away from exterior walls and windows. Interior bathrooms or closets are considered safe places. This would also apply to non-basement homes. Keep covered in order to avoid flying debris.

Tornado Myth: Highway overpasses provide safe shelter from tornadoes.

Truth: Overpasses act as wind tunnels which increase the wind speed and should not be used as tornado shelters. A video sequence shot by a television crew who hid under an overpass during a weak tornado in Andover Kansas gave a false message about safety.

They were lucky because the full force of the tornado was not directly overhead and they able to hold on to exposed girders in a crawlspace. A lesser seen video is of a family who hid underneath an overpass and the mother lost her grip. She was killed when her body was blown half a mile down the highway.

If caught on the highway during an approaching tornado, get out of the vehicle and seek shelter in a ditch or a low-lying area, but away from the vehicle in case it flips over. The intent is to find the lowest area possible rather than seeking shelter above ground level.

Tornado Myth: A car can outrun a tornado.

Truth: Unless a car can maintain a speed of 40 to 65 miles per hour, there may be a slight hope. Tornadoes quickly change directions so there is no sure escape route. Preceding a tornado, there can be hail big enough to break windshields, flash flooding, high winds, debris on the road and torrential rain so there is danger driving a car even before a tornado hits. If everybody decided to escape by car, the roads would be jammed. Stay home and take shelter in a safe location.

Tornado Myth: A car can provide safe shelter from a tornado.

Truth: Flying debris from any tornado can shatter car windows which can result in injury. Ground level winds can easily flip a car. Strong tornadoes have the capability of making cars airborne. It is better to seek safer shelter such as a structure or low ground.

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