Press Release

Subject: NWS makes changes to tornado safety in cars
Date: 2010-03-02
Author: Helen Means
Public Information Officer
Reference Number: 10-006

National Weather Service makes changes to tornado safety in cars.

The statewide tornado drills for both Kansas and Missouri will occur at 1:30 PM on Tuesday March 9, 2010.

Captain Mark Owen, Platte County Emergency Management, wants to make sure everyone is aware of a change made by the National Weather Service to one of the long-time tornado safety rules. This one has to do with tornado safety in cars.

In the past, we have told people never try to outrun a tornado. However now, based on collaboration between the Red Cross and the National Weather Service, we tell people the following concerning tornado safety in cars:

1) If you can drive away from the tornado, do so. On average tornadoes move from one location to another at 35-45 mph so driving away would be the first course of action.

2) If you cannot drive away from the tornado (as in the case of driving directly towards the tornado on a divided highway, or stuck in slow moving traffic), abandon your vehicle and seek shelter in a nearby sturdy structure such as a house or other well built structure.

3) If no buildings are available, there really are no good options. At this point, every person needs to decide for him or herself whether they will:
A) Remain in their car with their seatbelt buckled, leaning down to get below the window line, or

B) Abandon the vehicle for the shelter of a culvert or lay flat, face down in a ditch or low spot.

Again, at this point, there are no good options and the best thing is not to be there in the first place.

For more information about severe weather, please contact Platte County Emergency Services Unit at 816-858-1966.