STORM STORIES - TRUE OR FALSE

10/11/2021 (Permalink)

Know your storm facts to stay safe.

We looked for common misconceptions to help keep you safe when in a storm:

If you’re driving during a tornado – just park under an overpass to stay safe.

FALSE – Winds actually accelerate underneath an overpass and become quite dangerous. It’s best to pull over, duck below the windows, keep your seatbelts fastened and cover your head with a blanket or cushion until the storm passes.

The low pressure with a tornado causes buildings to explode. Opening the windows will equalize the pressure, saving the building.

FALSE - Opening the windows in an attempt to equalize pressure will have no effect. It is the violent winds and debris that cause most structural damage. It is more important for you to move to a safe area away from windows and exterior walls.

Tornadoes and thunderstorms tend to move from west to east.

TRUE (SORT OF): Conditions determine how and where storms move, but more often than not they do move from west to east.

Since I drive an SUV, I don’t have to worry about driving through water.

FALSE – any car can be swept away in as little as 2 feet of water. Flash floods happen in a flash – whether there is a stream nearby or not so always be careful when driving through a puddle.

Know your storm facts so that your stories all have a happy ending.