Video: Trucking in a Tornado

This video was shot in 1998 near Hollywood, Florida on I-95.  An EF-1 (the smallest) tornado overturned a truck.  As you can see, winds from even the smallest tornado are enough to overturn a truck.

This weekend, meteorologists are predicting a severe weather outbreak in the southeast this weekend. According to Yahoo News, ” The National Weather Service predicts a “significant multi-day severe event” in the South plains on Sunday, moving into the Mississippi Valley on Monday.”

The threat of severe storms is so high, that meteorologists are comparing the storm’s buildup to “one of the worst tornado outbreaks in the country” that occurred in April of 1991 when a stretch of tornados swept from Texas to Iowa.

Tornado tips from FEMA:

Before a Tornado

• To begin preparing, you should build an emergency kitand make a family communications plan.
• Listen to NOAA Weather Radio or to commercial radio or television newscasts for the latest information. In any emergency, always listen to the instructions given by local emergency management officials.
• Be alert to changing weather conditions. Look for approaching storms.
• Look for the following danger signs:
  • Dark, often greenish sky
  • Large hail
  • A large, dark, low-lying cloud (particularly if rotating)
  • Loud roar, similar to a freight train.
  • If you see approaching storms or any of the danger signs, be prepared to take shelter immediately.

If  you’re caught driving in a tornado, FEMA encourages you to:

• If you can safely get noticeably lower than the level of the roadway, leave your car and lie in that area, covering your head with your hands.  Try to get as far away from your truck as possible.
• Do not get under an overpass or bridge. You are safer in a low, flat location.
• Never try to outrun a tornado in urban or congested areas in a car or truck. Instead, leave the vehicle immediately for safe shelter.
• Watch out for flying debris. Flying debris from tornadoes causes most fatalities and injuries.

The best defense for being caught in a tornado is future planning and being aware of weather conditions where you are and where you’re headed, and always take severe weather warnings seriously! 

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Video Credit:  cdcollura