1fs. Life and Death Decisions with the Threat of TornadoesNo
decision can be more critical than the one about whether or not to
evacuate an area if a powerful tornado is on the way. Most safety
organizations, including the National Weather Service and the American
Red Cross, recommend taking shelter in a basement, storm shelter, or
interior portions of a home if you are already there. But is this always
the best course of action in the face of a particularly large and
powerful tornado that could completely devastate the structure?
Regrettably, there may be no one-size-fits-all answer. An examination of
what happened during the Moore and El Reno tornadoes of 2013 provides
some background on this issue.The May 20 tornado in Moore, Oklahoma,
occurred at 2:56 P.M.—before the beginning of rush hour (Figure 11-7-1).
The massive tornado had already touched down and was being tracked by
the National Weather Service as well as local media. One highly
respected television meteorologist went on air and, using information
from the station’s helicopter, gave current information not only on the
position of the tornado but on traffic conditions in various areas.
Viewers were able to put this information together and make a somewhat
informed decision on whether to take shelter within their homes or to
try and escape from the path of the storm. Were lives saved because of
this? Possibly.But the El Reno tornado a week and a half earlier
highlights the danger involved in leaving a fixed structure and
attempting to flee by car. That tornado occurred after 6 P.M., during
rush hour. Moreover, the largest interstate highway not only carried
local commuter traffic but substantial long-distance travel as well. The
result: Some people got on the highway only to find themselves in heavy
traffic and totally defenseless, while many others stayed in their
homes and survived despite serious building damage. Figure 11-7-2 shows
the locations at which the fatalities occurred. Clearly the roads were
not a safe place to be. Bad driving conditions due to normal rush hour
traffic compounded by heavy rainfall made people in vehicles extremely
vulnerable. In addition to the death of the experienced storm chasers, a
mother and daughter were killed as their car was picked up off the
highway. Moreover, the fatality total on the highway could have been
even worse had the oncoming tornadoes not dissipated. Clearly, the
decision to flee depends not only on the amount of time available, but
also on the strength of the structure one is in, the type of road
network available, and even the time of day.Tornado experts continue to
evaluate all evidence as to what is the best course of action to take as
a tornado threatens, and they remain firm in their expert opinion. They
advise people that the best thing one can do is remain in a fixed
building and take cover in a basement, shelter, or interior room with as
many walls as possible separating that room from the outside.FIGURE
11-7-1 Approaching Tornado on May 20, 2013 in Moore, Oklahoma....FIGURE
11-7-2 Locations of Fatalities During El Reno Tornado. Notice the
southwest to northeast pattern reflecting the path of the
tornado....What do tornado safety experts advise as the best way to
protect yourself from an approaching tornado? Get solution
2fs. Life and Death Decisions with the Threat of TornadoesNo decision can be more critical than the one about whether or not to evacuate an area if a powerful tornado is on the way. Most safety organizations, including the National Weather Service and the American Red Cross, recommend taking shelter in a basement, storm shelter, or interior portions of a home if you are already there. But is this always the best course of action in the face of a particularly large and powerful tornado that could completely devastate the structure? Regrettably, there may be no one-size-fits-all answer. An examination of what happened during the Moore and El Reno tornadoes of 2013 provides some background on this issue.The May 20 tornado in Moore, Oklahoma, occurred at 2:56 P.M.—before the beginning of rush hour (Figure 11-7-1). The massive tornado had already touched down and was being tracked by the National Weather Service as well as local media. One highly respected television meteorologist went on air and, using information from the station’s helicopter, gave current information not only on the position of the tornado but on traffic conditions in various areas. Viewers were able to put this information together and make a somewhat informed decision on whether to take shelter within their homes or to try and escape from the path of the storm. Were lives saved because of this? Possibly.But the El Reno tornado a week and a half earlier highlights the danger involved in leaving a fixed structure and attempting to flee by car. That tornado occurred after 6 P.M., during rush hour. Moreover, the largest interstate highway not only carried local commuter traffic but substantial long-distance travel as well. The result: Some people got on the highway only to find themselves in heavy traffic and totally defenseless, while many others stayed in their homes and survived despite serious building damage. Figure 11-7-2 shows the locations at which the fatalities occurred. Clearly the roads were not a safe place to be. Bad driving conditions due to normal rush hour traffic compounded by heavy rainfall made people in vehicles extremely vulnerable. In addition to the death of the experienced storm chasers, a mother and daughter were killed as their car was picked up off the highway. Moreover, the fatality total on the highway could have been even worse had the oncoming tornadoes not dissipated. Clearly, the decision to flee depends not only on the amount of time available, but also on the strength of the structure one is in, the type of road network available, and even the time of day.Tornado experts continue to evaluate all evidence as to what is the best course of action to take as a tornado threatens, and they remain firm in their expert opinion. They advise people that the best thing one can do is remain in a fixed building and take cover in a basement, shelter, or interior room with as many walls as possible separating that room from the outside.FIGURE 11-7-1 Approaching Tornado on May 20, 2013 in Moore, Oklahoma....FIGURE 11-7-2 Locations of Fatalities During El Reno Tornado. Notice the southwest to northeast pattern reflecting the path of the tornado....Based on the experiences of Moore and El Reno, Oklahoma, in 2013, how would you assess the wisdom of attempting to flee an approaching tornado in your car? Get solution
2fs. Life and Death Decisions with the Threat of TornadoesNo decision can be more critical than the one about whether or not to evacuate an area if a powerful tornado is on the way. Most safety organizations, including the National Weather Service and the American Red Cross, recommend taking shelter in a basement, storm shelter, or interior portions of a home if you are already there. But is this always the best course of action in the face of a particularly large and powerful tornado that could completely devastate the structure? Regrettably, there may be no one-size-fits-all answer. An examination of what happened during the Moore and El Reno tornadoes of 2013 provides some background on this issue.The May 20 tornado in Moore, Oklahoma, occurred at 2:56 P.M.—before the beginning of rush hour (Figure 11-7-1). The massive tornado had already touched down and was being tracked by the National Weather Service as well as local media. One highly respected television meteorologist went on air and, using information from the station’s helicopter, gave current information not only on the position of the tornado but on traffic conditions in various areas. Viewers were able to put this information together and make a somewhat informed decision on whether to take shelter within their homes or to try and escape from the path of the storm. Were lives saved because of this? Possibly.But the El Reno tornado a week and a half earlier highlights the danger involved in leaving a fixed structure and attempting to flee by car. That tornado occurred after 6 P.M., during rush hour. Moreover, the largest interstate highway not only carried local commuter traffic but substantial long-distance travel as well. The result: Some people got on the highway only to find themselves in heavy traffic and totally defenseless, while many others stayed in their homes and survived despite serious building damage. Figure 11-7-2 shows the locations at which the fatalities occurred. Clearly the roads were not a safe place to be. Bad driving conditions due to normal rush hour traffic compounded by heavy rainfall made people in vehicles extremely vulnerable. In addition to the death of the experienced storm chasers, a mother and daughter were killed as their car was picked up off the highway. Moreover, the fatality total on the highway could have been even worse had the oncoming tornadoes not dissipated. Clearly, the decision to flee depends not only on the amount of time available, but also on the strength of the structure one is in, the type of road network available, and even the time of day.Tornado experts continue to evaluate all evidence as to what is the best course of action to take as a tornado threatens, and they remain firm in their expert opinion. They advise people that the best thing one can do is remain in a fixed building and take cover in a basement, shelter, or interior room with as many walls as possible separating that room from the outside.FIGURE 11-7-1 Approaching Tornado on May 20, 2013 in Moore, Oklahoma....FIGURE 11-7-2 Locations of Fatalities During El Reno Tornado. Notice the southwest to northeast pattern reflecting the path of the tornado....Based on the experiences of Moore and El Reno, Oklahoma, in 2013, how would you assess the wisdom of attempting to flee an approaching tornado in your car? Get solution
