I keep hearing to get in a ditch, when no shelter is available. Is any depression in the landscape better than nothing? I was told that in an F5 tornado, nothing survives, unless underground.
2007-02-05 02:06:26 · 5 answers · asked by Bonnie Lynn 5 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Weather
I'm talking about a lying down position in the ditch...thanks
2007-02-05 05:11:02 · update #1
It depends upon the size of the tornado and how close it gets. The best reason to get in a ditch is to avoid the debris flying all over the place. A small tornado couldn't pull most people out of a ditch even if it went right over them. A F2 might and anything bigger would, but it would have to pass right over you. If your not underground when an F5 passes by, you'll be lucky to survive. It's going to throw houses and 100 year old trees. After the one that hit Oklahoma City cars were found hundreds of feet from where they started.
2007-02-05 04:31:54 · answer #1 · answered by Lew 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tornadoes do not suck, they blow. Lying in a ditch will protect you from flying debris which is the main danger in a tornado. Whether the extremely high winds in a big tornado would blow you out of the ditch depends on the shape of the ditch and how firmly you are anchored in it. If the wind can push you out of the ditch you are in trouble. F5 tornadoes are, fortunately, very rare.
2007-02-05 14:55:06 · answer #2 · answered by tentofield 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I would be afraid to test that theory because every tornado is different!! I live in florida and have gone through several of them and they are so scary !!!!
2007-02-05 10:16:09 · answer #3 · answered by linda bug 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It depends how you are positioned
2007-02-05 12:02:51 · answer #4 · answered by Justin 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋