Vehicle Safety in a Tornado
What would you do if you saw a tornado coming right at you in your car?
OnStar says the best advice is to leave your vehicle for sturdy shelter or lower ground, or drive out of the tornado’s path if it is not directly bearing down on you.
But here are some tips on what to do if you are in your vehicle and a tornado is approaching:
• The only time you should stay in your car is if the tornado is already on top of you and the roadway is the lowest ground you can get to. Park as quickly and safely as possible, out of traffic lanes. Keep your seatbelt on. Crouch as low as possible away from the windows and cover your head with your hands and a coat or blanket, if possible.
• If the tornado is visible and far away, and you’re not stuck in a traffic jam, you may be able to drive out of its path. Watch the tornado closely for a few seconds, comparing its path to a fixed object in the foreground, such as a tree, pole or other landmark. If it appears to be moving to your right or left, it is not moving toward you. You should escape by driving at right angles to its track.
• If the tornado appears to stay in the same place, growing larger or getting closer —but not moving either right or left — it is headed right at you. You must take shelter away from the car — and quickly. If you can’t get to a sturdy shelter, lie flat in a low spot, as far from the road as possible to avoid flying vehicles.
• Do not seek shelter under an overpass. The area under an overpass actually acts like a funnel. Winds can be worse, flying debris can be deadly and the overpass could collapse.
Remember, the lower the ground, the better protection. The higher the ground, the stronger the winds. And never think you can outrun a tornado.
