Driving in a tornado: What you should know

Driving in bad weather can be disconcerting at best and dangerous at worst. That's why it's best to be prepared for anything and everything that Mother Nature could throw your way. Toyota of N Charlotte has tons of tips on how to drive safely in bad weather, and today we're tackling a big one: tornados. Check out these tips on how to safely drive in a tornado. 

Six tips for driving in a tornado

#1: Know how to spot the signs that one is imminent. If bad weather is approaching, you should get alerts on your phone or on your N Charlotte Toyota's radio. However, it's also a good idea to know how to spot signs that a tornado is imminent, like: 

• The sky is turning a dark green color
• An uneasy, still quietness in the middle of a storm, especially if you were just driving in heavy rain or hail
• A loud roaring noise that sounds like a train or a vacuum cleaner
• Debris falling around you or a cloud of debris at ground-level
• A rotating funnel extending out of a cloud

#2: Get off the road as quickly as you can. Now is the time to get OFF the road and find a safe building in which to shelter. Pull into the nearest parking lot and try to get to safety as quickly as you can. 

#3: Don't try to outrun the tornado. You should never try to outrun a tornado. These storms are unpredictable, can change paths at any moment, and can even disappear and then drop back down in a new spot. Outrunning it isn't a smart option. 

#4: If you can't find shelter, look for a low-lying area. If you can't find anywhere to shelter in place, try to find a low-lying area like a ditch or a ravine around you. Park your car, exit it and make a run for the low-lying area. Once you're there, cover your head with your hands and arms. 

#5: DO NOT park under a bridge or in a tunnel. Parking under a bridge or in a tunnel may seem like a safe space to take shelter, but it's not. These spaces actually turn into wind tunnels when the weather is bad, and you're at high risk of being hit by debris. 

#6: Shelter in your car if you have to. If you can't find anywhere to shelter and there are no low-lying areas to lie in, you should stay in your car. Put it in park, put on your seatbelt, and try to stay down below the line of the windows. You should also cover your head with a blanket or jacket if you have one, as well as your arms. 

Get more tips for driving in a tornado from Toyota of N Charlotte 

Feel like you need to brush up on your safe driving in a tornado or any bad weather? Toyota of N Charlotte always has tips! Call us today at (704) 875-9199. You can also stop by at 13429 Statesville Road, just west of I-77 at exit 23 in Huntersville.