Driving through Tornado/Storm Country?
Oct 30, 2009
in
Tornado Questions
We are dumb Californians about to set out through Oklahoma, Texas, Kansas, Indiana etc. What do we need? need to know? Is there a portable NOAA radio for cars? Help!
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4 comments
Beeracuda on October 30, 2009 at 4:32 pm
For about $10, you can get yourself a NOAA weather radio. Check Radio Shack. That way, you can stay abreast of all the warnings that may be issued for the midwest.
However, I must say that you’re being a bit paranoid. Sure, the midwest is tornado alley, however tornadoes aren’t exactly a daily feature of the weather there. You’d be just fine driving through without the NOAA radio. After all, buildings have been there for 100+ years. Only a very small fraction of them have been destroyed by tornadoes.
Whatever you decide to do, safe driving, and good luck!
PATRICK C on October 30, 2009 at 4:32 pm
You should be fine— I live in Texas- and I’m still here! : )
Check the weather before going– they can forecast big storms — don’t worry about it– enjoy your vacation!
shinyglass on October 30, 2009 at 4:32 pm
Emergency Essentials has a good article on prepping your vehicle to handle most emergencies at http://beprepared.com/article.asp_Q_ai_E_41_A_name_E_Car%20Preparedness%20and%20Safety . Your car radio is perfectly fine, you don’t need a special NOAA radio. Just keep it on local stations as you travel…you can get frequencies and call letters off the internet. The FEMA guidelines for tornado safety and vehicles is as follows:
Never try to outdrive a tornado in a car or truck. Tornadoes can change direction quickly and can lift up a car or truck and toss it through the air.
Get out of the car immediately and take shelter in a nearby building.
If there is no time to get indoors, get out of the car and lie in a ditch or low-lying area away from the vehicle. Be aware of the potential for flooding.
Heather D on October 30, 2009 at 4:32 pm
With the person who said you were being paranoid…you’re not necessarily. I NEVER considered tornadoes as I made my trip from Kentucky to Seattle. However, on my first day of the trip in Central Illinois (I didn’t even know Illinois had tornadoes), I hit two of them in the middle of nowhere. I was listening to CD’s, but turned on the radio when I noticed the sky up ahead was a yellowy-green color, which was odd to me. The radio stations were great about noting it a watch, then a warning.
I did not do as told on the radio, by pulling over and getting in a low-lying ditch though. I had two cats with me and wouldn’t leave them. I drove as fast as I could trying to find an exit and found a restaurant where others were taking shelter. I know this was stupid (particularly since I was heading TOWARDS the tornado). Just know you’re fine with a radio, and if do as they tell you to. Also, they say that the Southern States tornado season is more March – May, and the Northern States season is the summer.