tornado safety practise controversy...

[sao123]

Text

Controversy on Best Tornado Safety Practices
Posted 2009-05-04

By Heather Buchman
AccuWeather.comA new safety advisory issued by the American Red Cross has sparked controversy. The new advisory suggests that during a tornado warning, people should take refuge in a vehicle if shelter is not available. This advisory does not fall in line with the tornado safety guidelines offered by the National Weather Service.
Researchers who are part of the Advisory Council for First Aid, Aquatics, Safety and Preparedness (ACFASP), which is an independent panel of health and safety experts that advises the Red Cross, conducted and published studies regarding tornado safety.

The studies led the Red Cross to issue the new advisory, which states if immediate shelter in a basement or sturdy building cannot be found, people should get into a vehicle, buckle up and drive away from the storm at a right angle. If the storm and debris become too close, people should pull over and park, keeping the seat belts on and the engine running, and cover their heads with their hands and a blanket if possible.

Representatives from the Red Cross have not discussed their scientific findings and new advisory with the National Weather Service. Conversely, the tornado safety guidelines set forth by the National Weather Service (NWS) advise that people in vehicles should abandon them immediately. Instead, people caught outdoors and are not able to make it to a safe shelter (vehicles and mobile homes are not considered safe) should run to low ground away from any cars and lie flat and face-down, protecting the back of the head with the arms.

The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) supports the NWS guidelines and states "vehicles are extremely dangerous in a tornado". Likewise, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) instructs those in vehicles to "get out immediately and go to the lowest floor of a sturdy, nearby building or storm shelter".

In Clear the Air, Evans Myers and Henry Margusity take a look at the controversy of the new tornado safety procedure.

Story by AccuWeather.com's Gina Cherundolo and Meteorologist Heather Buchman

im inclinded to go with the red cross... your vehicle is a safer place to be (the windows are safety glass)... should protect you from debris... and should be heavy enough (except in the most pwoerful of storms) to prevent you from being picked up and deposited elsewhere (dead)

this could get interesting.

 

[Newbian]

drive away from the storm at a right angle

And this is where they say you will use math for the rest of your life. 😉

 

[Crono]

Is there really any way that lying flat on the ground, when you are in an open area with no shelter, is better than being in a vehicle?

 

[skace]

NWS suggests you, "Get out of your vehicle, bend over, and kiss your ass goodbye."

 

[funkymatt]

duck and cover

 

[Crusty]

Originally posted by: sao123
Text

Controversy on Best Tornado Safety Practices
Posted 2009-05-04

By Heather Buchman
AccuWeather.comA new safety advisory issued by the American Red Cross has sparked controversy. The new advisory suggests that during a tornado warning, people should take refuge in a vehicle if shelter is not available. This advisory does not fall in line with the tornado safety guidelines offered by the National Weather Service.
Researchers who are part of the Advisory Council for First Aid, Aquatics, Safety and Preparedness (ACFASP), which is an independent panel of health and safety experts that advises the Red Cross, conducted and published studies regarding tornado safety.

The studies led the Red Cross to issue the new advisory, which states if immediate shelter in a basement or sturdy building cannot be found, people should get into a vehicle, buckle up and drive away from the storm at a right angle. If the storm and debris become too close, people should pull over and park, keeping the seat belts on and the engine running, and cover their heads with their hands and a blanket if possible.

Representatives from the Red Cross have not discussed their scientific findings and new advisory with the National Weather Service. Conversely, the tornado safety guidelines set forth by the National Weather Service (NWS) advise that people in vehicles should abandon them immediately. Instead, people caught outdoors and are not able to make it to a safe shelter (vehicles and mobile homes are not considered safe) should run to low ground away from any cars and lie flat and face-down, protecting the back of the head with the arms.

The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) supports the NWS guidelines and states "vehicles are extremely dangerous in a tornado". Likewise, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) instructs those in vehicles to "get out immediately and go to the lowest floor of a sturdy, nearby building or storm shelter".

In Clear the Air, Evans Myers and Henry Margusity take a look at the controversy of the new tornado safety procedure.

Story by AccuWeather.com's Gina Cherundolo and Meteorologist Heather Buchman

im inclinded to go with the red cross... your vehicle is a safer place to be (the windows are safety glass)... should protect you from debris... and should be heavy enough (except in the most pwoerful of storms) to prevent you from being picked up and deposited elsewhere (dead)

this could get interesting.

Sure it might be safety glass... but that won't prevent a cinder block from bludgeoning you after it shatters the safety glass. At least you won't have any major glass cuts!

 

[Alienwho]

I'll risk getting launched in a vehicle over getting stabbed by a flying tree branch, thank you.

 

[SpiderWiz]

Originally posted by: Newbian

drive away from the storm at a right angle

And this is where they say you will use math for the rest of your life. 😉

:thumbsup:

 

[spidey07]

Originally posted by: Crono
Is there really any way that lying flat on the ground, when you are in an open area with no shelter, is better than being in a vehicle?

That always stuck me as funny as well. Hey, there's all this shrapnel flying at 180+ Mph...you're best bet is to get out in the open!

 

[Cheeseplug]

Why not crawl under the vehicle at that point?

 

[Newbian]

Originally posted by: Cheeseplug
Why not crawl under the vehicle at that point?

Wouldn't it still be safer to stay inside it?

 

[Cheeseplug]

with stuff flying through the windows, in a completely flat area I am not so sure. It doesn't matter though, I will die instantly.

 

[Newbian]

Originally posted by: Cheeseplug
with stuff flying through the windows, in a completely flat area I am not so sure. It doesn't matter though, I will die instantly.

And that's why you duck down.

Being under the car would provide no protection from the sides like the doors might a bit.

 

[dainthomas]

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: Crono
Is there really any way that lying flat on the ground, when you are in an open area with no shelter, is better than being in a vehicle?

That always stuck me as funny as well. Hey, there's all this shrapnel flying at 180+ Mph...you're best bet is to get out in the open!

Right, like the impenetrable window glass on your 98 Civic will stop a telephone pole. Lying flat on the ground (in the lowest area possible) presents a very minimal cross section for the wind to push against. As opposed to your car which not only presents a large cross section but the wind will get underneath it and scoop it up. Additionally, there will be far more debris several feet off the ground than at immediate ground level. You people would be hamburger after getting flung a mile and a half in your car, assuming you're not already impaled by a fence post or something.

The Red Cross should stick to handing out blankets and donuts and leave the science to the scientists.

 

[sao123]

Originally posted by: Crusty

Originally posted by: sao123
Text

Controversy on Best Tornado Safety Practices
Posted 2009-05-04

By Heather Buchman
AccuWeather.comA new safety advisory issued by the American Red Cross has sparked controversy. The new advisory suggests that during a tornado warning, people should take refuge in a vehicle if shelter is not available. This advisory does not fall in line with the tornado safety guidelines offered by the National Weather Service.
Researchers who are part of the Advisory Council for First Aid, Aquatics, Safety and Preparedness (ACFASP), which is an independent panel of health and safety experts that advises the Red Cross, conducted and published studies regarding tornado safety.

The studies led the Red Cross to issue the new advisory, which states if immediate shelter in a basement or sturdy building cannot be found, people should get into a vehicle, buckle up and drive away from the storm at a right angle. If the storm and debris become too close, people should pull over and park, keeping the seat belts on and the engine running, and cover their heads with their hands and a blanket if possible.

Representatives from the Red Cross have not discussed their scientific findings and new advisory with the National Weather Service. Conversely, the tornado safety guidelines set forth by the National Weather Service (NWS) advise that people in vehicles should abandon them immediately. Instead, people caught outdoors and are not able to make it to a safe shelter (vehicles and mobile homes are not considered safe) should run to low ground away from any cars and lie flat and face-down, protecting the back of the head with the arms.

The Storm Prediction Center (SPC) supports the NWS guidelines and states "vehicles are extremely dangerous in a tornado". Likewise, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) instructs those in vehicles to "get out immediately and go to the lowest floor of a sturdy, nearby building or storm shelter".

In Clear the Air, Evans Myers and Henry Margusity take a look at the controversy of the new tornado safety procedure.

Story by AccuWeather.com's Gina Cherundolo and Meteorologist Heather Buchman

im inclinded to go with the red cross... your vehicle is a safer place to be (the windows are safety glass)... should protect you from debris... and should be heavy enough (except in the most pwoerful of storms) to prevent you from being picked up and deposited elsewhere (dead)

this could get interesting.

Sure it might be safety glass... but that won't prevent a cinder block from bludgeoning you after it shatters the safety glass. At least you won't have any major glass cuts!

I'd prefer to be bludgeoned with a cinder block, than pelted to death from micro particles, and being unable to breathe from the fierce wind i nyour face.

 

[Newbian]

Originally posted by: dainthomas

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: Crono
Is there really any way that lying flat on the ground, when you are in an open area with no shelter, is better than being in a vehicle?

That always stuck me as funny as well. Hey, there's all this shrapnel flying at 180+ Mph...you're best bet is to get out in the open!

Right, like the impenetrable window glass on your 98 Civic will stop a telephone pole. Lying flat on the ground (in the lowest area possible) presents a very minimal cross section for the wind to push against. As opposed to your car which not only presents a large cross section but the wind will get underneath it and scoop it up. Additionally, there will be far more debris several feet off the ground than at immediate ground level. You people would be hamburger after getting flung a mile and a half in your car, assuming you're not already impaled by a fence post or something.

The Red Cross should stick to handing out blankets and donuts and leave the science to the scientists.

If the wind is going to lift your car then what would laying on the ground do for you?

It will take a larger amount of wind force to lift your car then just you in the open.

 

[spidey07]

The other funny thing - you're told to get out of your car and go to the ditch. Ever seen where all the cars and semis are in relation to the road after a tornado?

Yep - in the very ditch you were laying in.

 

[Newbian]

Originally posted by: spidey07
The other funny thing - you're told to get out of your car and go to the ditch. Ever seen where all the cars and semis are in relation to the road after a tornado?

Yep - in the very ditch you were laying in.

Easier clean up if you are flattened.

 

[Aharami]

Originally posted by: Newbian

If the wind is going to lift your car then what would laying on the ground do for you?

It will take a larger amount of wind force to lift your car then just you in the open.

never been in a tornado and have no experience with tornadoes, so my thoughts mean nothing. but I think the point is that if you're lying close to the ground, very little of the wind will be pushing against you. tornadoes uproot trees, but does it also uproot low lying plants?

 

[torpid]

Originally posted by: dainthomas

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: Crono
Is there really any way that lying flat on the ground, when you are in an open area with no shelter, is better than being in a vehicle?

That always stuck me as funny as well. Hey, there's all this shrapnel flying at 180+ Mph...you're best bet is to get out in the open!

Right, like the impenetrable window glass on your 98 Civic will stop a telephone pole. Lying flat on the ground (in the lowest area possible) presents a very minimal cross section for the wind to push against. As opposed to your car which not only presents a large cross section but the wind will get underneath it and scoop it up. Additionally, there will be far more debris several feet off the ground than at immediate ground level. You people would be hamburger after getting flung a mile and a half in your car, assuming you're not already impaled by a fence post or something.

The Red Cross should stick to handing out blankets and donuts and leave the science to the scientists.

Where can I find the study you did that led you to the above conclusion, mighty scientist? The Red Cross based their recommendations on an actual study done by scientists, BTW. So it seems they are indeed leaving the science to the scientists.

 

[DrPizza]

I'm just wondering - if you're in a car in the first place, then why the hell didn't you get out of the way of the tornado before it got there??!

 

[darkswordsman17]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
I'm just wondering - if you're in a car in the first place, then why the hell didn't you get out of the way of the tornado before it got there??!

Well if the idiots around here are anything to go by its because you're driving towards it. People these days have lost their fear of nature.

 

[Newbian]

Originally posted by: DrPizza
I'm just wondering - if you're in a car in the first place, then why the hell didn't you get out of the way of the tornado before it got there??!

Traffic and tornadoes can travel up to 70 mph.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Originally posted by: spidey07
The other funny thing - you're told to get out of your car and go to the ditch. Ever seen where all the cars and semis are in relation to the road after a tornado?

Yep - in the very ditch you were laying in.

Not to mention the fact that tornadoes frequently occur with flash floods.

 

[dainthomas]

Originally posted by: torpid

Originally posted by: dainthomas

Originally posted by: spidey07

Originally posted by: Crono
Is there really any way that lying flat on the ground, when you are in an open area with no shelter, is better than being in a vehicle?

That always stuck me as funny as well. Hey, there's all this shrapnel flying at 180+ Mph...you're best bet is to get out in the open!

Right, like the impenetrable window glass on your 98 Civic will stop a telephone pole. Lying flat on the ground (in the lowest area possible) presents a very minimal cross section for the wind to push against. As opposed to your car which not only presents a large cross section but the wind will get underneath it and scoop it up. Additionally, there will be far more debris several feet off the ground than at immediate ground level. You people would be hamburger after getting flung a mile and a half in your car, assuming you're not already impaled by a fence post or something.

The Red Cross should stick to handing out blankets and donuts and leave the science to the scientists.

Where can I find the study you did that led you to the above conclusion, mighty scientist? The Red Cross based their recommendations on an actual study done by scientists, BTW. So it seems they are indeed leaving the science to the scientists.

It's called physics. On a very windy day, tie a string to a stick and let go of it. What happens? Now attach a piece of fabric to the stick. Congratulations, you're flying a kite.

I'll take the word of scientists who study only weather (which includes wind) and its effects over "The Advisory Council for First Aid, Aquatics, Safety and Preparedness". You act like the NWS just pulled that advice out of their ass because they get their jollies from watching people die. I'm pretty sure they have their own studies to back it up.