Complete Guide on What to Do If You See a Tornado While Driving

Tornadoes can strike the Ozarks at any time of year. We’ve seen them in the spring, summer, fall, and even late winter with the Leap Day tornado outbreak in 2012 that hit Branson.

What do you do if you see or encounter a tornado while driving? We’ve got some safety tips for you.

Prepare Ahead of Time

Safety experts and government agencies recommend having emergency kits in your home if it’s damaged during a tornado. The same applies to your vehicle if you’re stranded during a severe storm.

In that kit, have the following items at a minimum:

• Blanket
• Flashlight with extra batteries
• Road flashers to alert oncoming traffic

You might consider these extra items just in case you are stranded for an extended period of time:

• Phone charger
• Portable radio with extra batteries
• Non-perishable food items and bottled water in case help is unavailable

Another part of preparation is knowing who to call in an emergency. 911 is the first choice, but you can also contact loved ones who can come to your aid if they are nearby. The lone downside is that you might not get a signal if a tornado damages cell phone towers.

Download a weather app on your phone that will alert you to severe weather nearby. The key is that the best app would use your phone’s location to pinpoint the severe weather and its direction relative to your vehicle. Storm Shield and WeatherBug are two top options. Think about turning to local radio stations or live TV broadcasts on your phone, which typically stay on the air to give updates and directions for incoming storms.

Consider the infotainment screen and in-car apps with your vehicle. GM vehicles offer OnStar services for emergencies. You can easily tap into the OnStar system if you’re caught in a tornado. GMC and Buick vehicles have OnStar subscription options.

Look at the weather forecast before you start driving. Are there any watches or warnings? Are there thunderstorms in the forecast? Be aware of the weather when and where you’ll be driving.

Always Stay Calm and Act Safely If You See a Tornado While Driving

While preparation is crucial in knowing what to do when driving in a tornado, staying calm during the storm can make a huge difference. Always act safely, and never make any sudden swerves, acceleration, or deceleration during an oncoming storm. You’ll need to know what to do after the tornado passes, and staying calm can help you think.

Drive Away If the Tornado Is Far Enough Away

Let’s say you’re driving on a flat stretch of Highway 65 and see a tornado to your right about a mile away. It’s heading for the highway. Emergency personnel recommend driving away from the tornado at right angles to the storm’s path. Drive north or south if it’s headed towards you from the east. If the tornado is beside you and traveling in the same direction, consider turning left or right to avoid the twister’s path.

Take a few seconds to gauge the twister’s location and direction based on the objects in front of it. If the tornado stays in the same place but gets bigger, it’s coming toward you.

How Do You Know a Tornado Is Nearby?

Pay attention to the weather around your car to know if a tornado is approaching. Look for these signs:

• Large hail and heavy rain followed by a calm period and a sudden wind shift
• Low, dark clouds that appear to be rotating
• There is a deep rumbling that sounds like an approaching freight train
• Swirling debris on the ground

Take Shelter If the Tornado Is Closing In

If the tornado is imminent, seek shelter in a secure building, such as a truck stop, convenience store, restaurant, or walk-in cooler. Never try to outrun a tornado that’s on top of you.

If no buildings are nearby or you can’t reach one in time, look for a ditch, ravine, culvert, or low-lying area lower than ground level. Any debris would fly over your head rather than landing in the ditch. Never seek shelter under a bridge because that could make the winds even worse. Get out of your car, get into the low-lying area, and cover your head.

Am I Safe in My Car During a Tornado?

No, but if a tornado is upon you and you can’t get to a better location,  you must act quickly and safely. Keep your seatbelt on, get low in the car below the levels of the windshield and windows, and cover with a coat or blankets if possible. Otherwise, cover your head with your hands. The goal here is to prevent glass from injuring you.

An EF1 tornado can move a car, so any tornadic storm can be dangerous. Pay attention to weather alerts, how fast the storm moves, and any wind speeds associated with the severe weather.

What Do I Do After a Tornado?

Assess your surroundings, whether in a building and your vehicle is outside, lying in a ditch or ravine, or safe in your car. Avoid debris, glass, and any downed power lines. Don’t enter a severely damaged building. If you’re in a badly damaged building, get out if it’s safe enough and assess the state of your vehicle and the roads. 

Is your car drivable? Can you make a call with your phone? Remember, cell phone towers might be down or damaged. Head for home or a safe place as soon as possible, whether in your car or after help arrives.

Car Safety and Driving Tips From Thompson Sales

Remember our tips if you ever see or encounter a tornado while driving. If you ever need service or car repair, contact us or call (417) 763-6811. Our factory-trained service team can help you maintain your vehicle, while our body shop can fix hail damage and nicks and dings from storm debris.