Projectile Automobiles
Watch the video below to understand why it's a bad idea to be in your car when a tornado strikes. This incredible video was captured by a surveillance camera from an equipment company in northern Alabama on Thursday according to the National Weather Service.
By Jason Samenow |
May 13, 2008; 1:00 PM ET
Thunderstorms
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Posted by: madison | May 13, 2008 3:15 PM
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One interesting quote from the weatherman:
"That was probably an F2. If it were an F4, the winds would have been six times stronger." (Perhaps not exact wording)
Is that true? It seems a little hard to believe that an F4's windspeed should be 6X faster than an F2.
Posted by: mcleaNed | May 13, 2008 7:35 PM
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S&M Equipment Company. What a great name.
Posted by: Jamming | May 14, 2008 8:46 AM
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Perhaps he meant the energy associated with said wind speeds between an EF2 and EF4 (which would be the difference between 155-160 mph vs 210-260 mph....not even close to a factor of 6x).
Posted by: D | May 14, 2008 12:57 PM
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Oops, that should have read between 115-160 mph for an EF2.
Posted by: D | May 14, 2008 12:58 PM
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So let's say that you're caught outside with no shelter at all. Is it better to be in a car or not? At least a car will give you some protection against wind-blown projectiles (like other cars). OTOH, hitting the ground when the tornado picks you up and throws you like a pebble in your SUV is going to hurt pretty bad.
Posted by: Erika Froh | May 14, 2008 5:43 PM
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Erika: My understanding is that it's better to find a ditch or low spot and cover your head than be in a car during a tornado.
Posted by: Jason, Capital Weather Gang | May 14, 2008 11:43 PM
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unbelievable...