Why is under an overpass during a tornado?
An overpass as tornado shelter can put people at a greater risk of being killed or seriously injured by flying debris from the powerful tornado winds. These destructive winds produce airborne debris that are blown into and channeled under the overpass where people might try to seek shelter.
Is it safe under an overpass during a tornado?
Many people mistakenly think that a highway overpass provides a safe haven from a tornado. The reality is that an overpass may be one of the worst places to seek shelter from a tornado. Using an overpass for your shelter can put you at a much greater risk of being killed or seriously injured by a tornado.
Are bridges safe during a storm?
-Delay travel if there are storms along your route. -Don’t drive into a storm. -If you encounter a storm, exit the road and find sturdy shelter. Most importantly, do not seek shelter under a bridge or overpass.
What is a highway overpass?
Definition of overpass (Entry 2 of 2) : a crossing of two highways or of a highway and pedestrian path or railroad at different levels where clearance to traffic on the lower level is obtained by elevating the higher level also : the upper level of such a crossing.
Can you survive a tornado in a basement?
Basement. If you have a basement or storm cellar, that may be the safest place to be in a tornado. Basements are underground and offer more protection than any other room in your home. Find a sturdy object to hide underneath, such as a workbench.
Why can’t you stop under a bridge?
Blocking traffic while parking under a bridge can and does cause traffic jams that trap hundreds of people on the road during a severe thunderstorm. If something happens down the road that requires first responders, they themselves can get stuck in the traffic, unable to help people who need it the most.
Should you hide under a bridge during a tornado?
Myth #3: When you’re on the road, the best place to ride out a tornado is under a bridge. Definitely not! Although it might seem like the bridge over your head would protect you, hiding under an overpass or bridge is actually very dangerous, because a tornado’s winds can blast debris underneath the structure.
Can tornadoes break bridges?
The bridge itself may fail, peeling apart and creating large flying objects, or even collapsing down onto people underneath. The structural integrity of many bridges in tornado winds is unknown–even for those which may look sturdy.
What is the purpose of overpass?
Pedestrian overpasses or footbridges are provided to remove pedestrian-vehicle conflicts, thus improving the overall safety as well as traffic flow of the streets under the overpasses. However, evidence from many countries has shown that many pedestrians cross illegally around overpasses.
Why is overpass important?
Pedestrian overpasses and underpasses provide complete separation of pedestrians from motor vehicle traffic, provide crossings where no other pedestrian facility is available, and connect off-road trails and paths across major barriers.