Tornado Safey: Get out of the Car

Written by: Brian Neudorff

Over the Mother's day weekend in Oklahoma and Missouri 21 people died due to a deadly outbreak of tornadoes. Of those 21 victims, nearly half of them died in cars.

When law enforcement surveyed the damage left behind the tornadoes it was described as, "taking a handful of Matchbox cars and rolling them across the kitchen floor."

I have three sons and have seen Matchbox cars tossed all over a room, but that is exactly what a tornado will do to your car. Seeking shelter in your car or even under an over pass is the worst thing you can do during a tornado. Here is what you should do if you ever find yourself in your car during a tornado:

• Never try to outrun a tornado in a vehicle. Heavy rain, hail and traffic may impede your movement. Tornadoes can change directions quickly and can easily lift up a vehicle and toss it through the air.
• Get out of the vehicle immediately and try to take shelter in a nearby building. DO NOT park or take shelter under a bridge or overpass.
• If there isn’t time to get indoors, get out of the vehicle and lie in a ditch, culvert or low-lying area away from the vehicle.

For more information on severe weather safety you can visit our severe weather awareness page, or watch our special weather broadcast from Saturday May 10, 2008 STORMWARN: A Severe Weather Special