Twister Survival

With the exception of the folks living in the Mid-Atlantic States, this has become a winter to remember. Our hearts go out to the folks in Tennessee and throughout the Midwest and South touched by tornadoes yesterday. Not only is this an unusual time of the year for tornado activity, but this is the worst tornado devastation in more than a quarter century. Tornadoes are among the cruelest of all weather phenomenon. The sight and sound of a tornado funnel is scary enough. The way a storm devastates one building but leaves others alone is cruel to say the least.

In the 2006 Farmers’ Almanac, we had an article called “Extreme Weather”. We discussed Hurricanes, Tornadoes and Hail. The information is so valuable, I have created a link to the story.

One of the biggest pieces of confusion surrounding what to do in case of an approaching tornado is … Leave all windows open to prevent breaking or leave all windows closed to keep pressure from building against the roof of the structure.

The second choice (leaving the windows closed) is the correct answer. The old theory was that the drop in air pressure as a tornado hit a building caused the higher pressure inside to push the walls out – to make the building “explode”. After the Wichita Falls tornado damage (1979) researchers realized that wind blowing into open windows pushes up on the roof. At the same time wind blowing over the roof is making it act like an airplane wing that generates a lifting force. If the roof lifts off, the walls can fall outward, making it look like the building exploded.

It was interesting to listen to the students at Union University in Jackson, TN. Their instinct to get to a bathroom was right on. Our article from 2006 provides valuable insights into Tornadoes including Survival Tips.

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tornadoes, tornado survival, extreme weather, Farmers’ Almanac