Driving in bad weather can be challenging, stressful, and downright dangerous. And while we don't see too many tornadoes here in Central Florida, we definitely have the possibility of them with all of the severe storms we get in the summer as well as the hurricanes that occasionally make landfall. And we can't forget that only two years ago, there was an EF-1 tornado in downtown Orlando that ripped roofs off of houses, threw debris into cars, and toppled trees.
That being said, do you know how to navigate driving in a tornado? Toyota of Clermont is here with six safety tips to help you make your way safely through the storm.
Six tips for driving in a tornado
Tip #1: Make sure you're aware of your surroundings. Be sure that you pay attention to the weather when it has the propensity to get nasty by tuning into the alerts on your phone or the weather station on the radio. You should also keep an eye out for signs that a tornado is imminent, like:
- The sky turning a dark green color
- An uneasy, still quietness in the middle of a storm, especially if you were just driving in heavy rain or hail
- A loud roaring noise that sounds like a train or a vacuum cleaner
- Debris falling around you or a cloud of debris at ground-level
- A rotating funnel extending out of a cloud
Tip #2: Get off the road now. If you know a tornado is coming, get off the road as quickly as you can and seek shelter inside of a building.
Tip #3: Don't try to outrun it. You should never try to outrun a tornado; their movements are incredibly unpredictable and they can shift course in mere seconds. They can also disappear and reappear in another spot, etc. - your best bet is to find shelter rather than try to outrun the storm.
Tip #4: Never park under a bridge or in a tunnel. You may think that seeking shelter under a bridge or in a tunnel is a good idea while driving in a tornado, but these are actually extremely dangerous places to hide. These structures actually create wind tunnels, which means the winds are higher in them than if you were to be out in the open. Plus, you can still be hit by debris in these spots.
Tip #5: Look for low-lying ground. If you're driving in a tornado and there's nowhere to seek shelter, look for low-lying areas like ravines and ditches where you can lie. Pull over and make a run for the low-lying area; lie down in it and cover your head with your arms and hands.
Tip #6: Know how to shelter in your car if necessary. If all else fails while driving in a tornado and you don't have anywhere to seek shelter, stay in your car. Put it in park, buckle your seatbelt, and hunker down so you're below the windows. You should cover your head with a jacket or blanket if you have one, as well as your hands and arms.
Get Orlando Toyota tips for driving in bad weather
Still have questions about driving in a tornado or just driving in dangerous weather in general? Call Toyota of Clermont today. We're open seven days a week at (352) 404-7000 and we're conveniently located at 16851 State Road 50, just west of the Florida Turnpike.
Comments
Post a Comment