Why is it safe to hide in a ditch during a tornado?

Question

Wouldn't the tornado just suck you up the closer it came to you?

Answer 1

In a few words, it isn't safe.

However, it could be the best option of the choices that are available.

In the case of either riding it out in a vehicle, a mobile home, an open field or a ditch, I would most likely choose the ditch.

If I had the choice of either a reasonably constructed house, wooded ravine, an open field or a ditch, I would chose the house.

It is unlikely you would become airborne in a tornado unless you were inside something that had enough surface area for the wind to act on to either flip into the air in some fashion. The vacuuming effect of a tornado is limited to mainly the movie screens.

The biggest threat to life and limb is the airborne debris the tornado creates or to be inside something that becomes airborne and gets either gets ripped apart by the winds slammed into something solid or the ground.

If you had ever seen a tornado up close (within a half mile) and could see all the debris that is generated you would understand what I mean. Even dirt and gravel become deadly at tornadic wind speeds.

You never know when a tornado might come a calling. You take what best shelter you have in the moments you have between realizing there is a tornado nearby and when it strikes.

Sometimes you have only seconds.

Sometimes not even that.

Answer 2

You would only do that if there are no shelters around. And no Bridges do not count. Laying down on the ground in a ditch is a better choice. The wind speed is a lot slower at the base of the tornado Hiding under a bridge or an over pass as a tornado goes over the top will actually speed up the wind speed.

Answer 3

This is only as a last resort.
Remember the cow flying in the movie twister?
Debris flying around is the most dangerous part of the tornado. Imagine flying glass, wood, metal going over a hundred miles an hour!
So, it's best to get low and lie flat in the lowest place possible....(especially if you're out in the middle of nowhere!)

The tornado would have a hard time picking you up because you're providing the least amount of surface area for it to grab...Kind of like a wet coaster on a glass coffee table. It just sticks there!

Answer 4

It's a widespread misunderstanding that tornadoes act like vacuum cleaners. They don't. The internal pressure is not much lower than outside, thus there is no suction. The advantage of getting into a ditch simply is to get out of the wind, which of course, can be VERY VERY strong. It also affords some protection from flying debris.

Answer 5

Most people in a tornado are killed by flying debris.
If you lie down flat in a ditch, the wind can not get under you to lift you up.

Answer 6

It's safer than standing up. If you are stuck outside during a tornado, get to the lowest land that you can and lie as flat as possible to the ground. Unless it flies directly over you, you should be fine in this case, as your horizaontal surface area will be diminished (less space for winds to grab and pull you with).

Answer 7

The number one aspect of a tornado that kills people is flying debris. By lying below grade, you can lessen the risk of getting hit. remember, a tornado can push a piece of straw through lumber; your body cannot withstand that!

Answer 8

Lying down in a ditch should be the absolute last resort! Find a sturdy building first.

Answer 9

The horizontally whirling winds will not touch you as a ditch will obstruct a comparatively bigger(than the ditch) whirling motion of winds.