Opening a Window during a Tornado or Hurricane?

Question

Is it true that if you have a hurricane or a tornado, that if you crack one of the windows in your home, that your windows will not break? I had heard this once and was wondering if it was really true? Someone had said that it relieves some of the pressure on the windows?

Answer 1

From what I read on one of those weather sites that is what they used to advise people to do. However modern technology has led to new knowledge and they now have revoked that particular piece of advice.

Answer 2

You have tow questions rather than one. In a tornado it can help to open windows to equalize the differences in pressure from in the building and outside. Tornado's most always are quite small in size to a hurricane so they arrive very rapidly so the faster the pressure can be equalized the better. With that said there are many other factors involved when a tornado arrives so doing this may not keep your home from being ruined. hurricanes are quite large and most damage is done by high winds. The only way to reduce the possibility of damage is to present less Resistance to the wind. Opening a window most likely would not be enough. Strengthening the surface is the best help. This is why boarding windows with plywood is used. If you have enough warning in either case it is best to leave the area and let nature do its thing.

Answer 3

It's not correct at all. Think about it!

1. Why the HECK would you open a window during a tornado, hurricane, or any major storm? You shouldn't even be near a window if it's coming!

2. This stuff is urban legend anyway, as mentioned before.

3. I have no idea how some educated people thought of this stuff to start a myth or rumor like this.

Answer 4

In a hurricane, the majority of damage is not pressure-based, it is wind based. Therefore, if windows are open, you'll just get more rain in the house, more water damage, and possibly more debris in the house.

In a tornado, the original thought was that there was a large pressure difference in between the storm and the ambient air, and that the house might "explode" due to the massive amount of pressure. However, you have to think here that most likely, in a tornadic event, there is going to be tons of debris flying around, and most likely, the window is going to break anyways, equalizing any pressure difference.

Also, the entire thing about the pressure difference, I think, is bogus- because no house is airtight... hence why it's cooler by your window during the winter.

Answer 5

For hurricanes they usually board up the windows and or close the shudders. It used to be that during a tornado you were supposed to crack open the windows, but i don't think that is the case anymore.

Answer 6

I don't see how opening a window a little will stop a 2x4 or a kitchen sink from breaking it. And there is no scientific proof to back up the theory of relieving pressure in the home.

Answer 7

James Cook University in Centre for Disaster Studies (or something like that) in Queensland, Australia did a study on this in 2003 or 2004. Apparently, statistically you're bound for the same amount of damage either way. (People have indeed had windows break for the pressure change, but try opening them and the storm comes inside!)

Answer 8

Think of having your bedroom window open with a fall breeze coming in blowing papers off your desk or bed. Now think of that breeze going 75 miles an hour or more threw that same window, more than papers would blow out in your home. The site listed by the first responder is a good one to take a look at.

Answer 9

it's for a tornado and no it really doesn't help much it just puts you in greater danger by opening windows because once a siren blows or the news tells you to seek shelter you need to seek shelter A.S.A.P

Answer 10

They are correct. It is a myth. View more information on this myth from the Tornado Project (2nd question):
http://www.tornadoproject.com/myths/myths.htm