Wichita Kansas and tornados
Wife and I will being staying in Wichita Kansas in May. We are concerned about tornados. Are we overreacting ? Any advice would be appreciated.
Forum Discussion
The issue of heading for a highway overpass was much discussed on page 3...I watched a special report of The Weather Channel a short while ago.
One small group of folks did indeed seek cover under an overpass and survived a tornado that came close (video to prove it). However the storm experts came on and told of other stores, one where a lady left her house, drove several miles to an overpass and was killed because the wind actually pulled her out of the overpass. The techincal explanation---wind speed actually increases under an overpass therefore it is more dangerous than being out in the open.
If we can know a storm will only yield hail that comes straight down with no wind...I guess one could consider the overpass option. But we all know in severe weather we can never know for sure what a storm has in store.
Even though it is not advised I guarantee anytime heavy rain, hail or winds start...folks head straight for overpasses despite the experts advise against it. Human natural instinct is to head for some kind of overhead protection in a storm, the heavier the better in our thinking...That is also why people and cattle are killed by lightning...they head for trees during a sudden rainstorm.
Be careful out there folks. Do some research on shelter during a severe storm.
One small group of folks did indeed seek cover under an overpass and survived a tornado that came close (video to prove it). However the storm experts came on and told of other stores, one where a lady left her house, drove several miles to an overpass and was killed because the wind actually pulled her out of the overpass. The techincal explanation---wind speed actually increases under an overpass therefore it is more dangerous than being out in the open.
If we can know a storm will only yield hail that comes straight down with no wind...I guess one could consider the overpass option. But we all know in severe weather we can never know for sure what a storm has in store.
Even though it is not advised I guarantee anytime heavy rain, hail or winds start...folks head straight for overpasses despite the experts advise against it. Human natural instinct is to head for some kind of overhead protection in a storm, the heavier the better in our thinking...That is also why people and cattle are killed by lightning...they head for trees during a sudden rainstorm.
Be careful out there folks. Do some research on shelter during a severe storm.
