JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — In dramatic movie scenes, we often witness characters racing towards an overpass in the face of an impending tornado. But is this a safe course of action? Let's verify.
Our sources, including Dr. Harold Brooks, a senior research scientist from the Severe Storms Laboratory, and members of the First Coast News weather team, confirm that seeking shelter under an overpass during a tornado is not safe.
Dr. Harold Brooks emphasizes the dangers, stating, "Going under an overpass is just not a good idea for tornado safety. What we really want to think about with what makes something safe in a tornado is we're worried about horizontal winds, and we're not so much worried about debris falling on top of you but worried about stuff blowing sideways at you."
Ross Mummah from the First Coast News weather team adds, "An underpass can often act kind of like a wind tunnel. The wind can actually sometimes speed up and converge, so it could sometimes be more dangerous underneath an overpass instead of if you were outside the overpass."
Aside from the physical risks, there are ethical concerns as well. Dr. Brooks recalls a tragic incident in 1999 in the Oklahoma City area where people attempting to seek shelter under an overpass ended up blocking the roadway, leading to a fatal outcome.
Instead of seeking refuge under overpasses, our sources advise finding a sturdy building or a low-lying area for shelter. Tim Deegan emphasizes, "Go to the sturdy building, absolutely, absolutely. Whether you’re in a car, whether you're out at the soccer field and you're looking at the underpass and you're looking at a sturdy building, please go to the sturdy building."
The notion that overpasses provide safe shelter during tornadoes originated from a widely circulated video from April 26th, 1991, where a tornado passed near an overpass without hitting it. Despite the tornado's weak intensity and distance from the overpass, this video contributed to the misconception that seeking refuge under overpasses is safe during tornadoes.
In conclusion, seeking shelter under overpasses during tornadoes is not advisable. Instead, prioritize finding a sturdy building or a low-lying area for safety. Stay informed and stay safe.
For a closer look at the local weather check here, plus find out some more weather lore here.