Truckers: How To Prepare for a Tornado?

The ones at glade spring Va picked the wrong place to go last big tornado.
several got killed

 

They are fairly local events. They come and go quickly.

If you are going to be tossed by one, there is really nothing you can do about it.

My advice...
Don't lose sleep over the possibility.

But, if you actually see one heading your way - turn around and go the other way.
Go perpendicular, rather than parallel, if possible.

 

I have a cb with weather alerts on it (when I am on that channel) as well as a regular radio with NOAA. However, for most of us it is useless as we stay on XM, CD's, MP3's, etc... I grew up in Tornado country, so I honestly just don't worry about it. If I am driving I keep rolling hoping for the best, if I am parked then I will go inside looking for suitable shelter.

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I forgot to mention I also have a good friend who monitors weather for truckers in all 48. The funny part is I usually talk to her after the fact, only to find out as I did this past October(?)that I had just rolled through a heavy tornado area.

 

That's why I require a truck that is not governed. So I can Haul ### the opposite direction!

 

Just have a low profile truck and trailer and hope for the best. With my flat top and flatbed, cross winds do not effect me much at all, while the guys with the big condo sleepers and van trailers are getting tossed all over the road.

But with a tornado it will not matter because if you are in it then you just try to ride it out (if parked) and if your driving then stop and hold on.

And to be honest, of it is a F4 or F5 your basically screwed no matter what....just look at Joplin.

 

Screw stop and hold on, I don't care what government agency says to do it. If I'm in motion I'm staying in motion as an attempt to reduce my time in the area. Whatever you do don't park your vehicle under an overpass or bridge, you're putting it inside a wind tunnel this way.

 

I prepare to jump in the ditch. I've done it before on a motorcycle and will have no problem doing it in the truck. It's not likely that it will save you but in some locations in the middle of nowhere it's about all you have. I used to chase storms a lot and often times staying moving would be ok. Sometimes you have to accept that there's a good chance you've run out of time to get away though.

 

The problem with drainage distance, especially in the south and southeast is they're usually in areas that become flood plains. You risk more damage from straight line winds off the storm than you do from the vortex which is why i prefer keeping moving. May get blown off the road, but if buckled in should see injuries consistent with any other accident.

 

Check youtube, there is one video of a tractor trailer getting blown sideways while its traveling forward. Mind you, its not a tornado, just a strong wind. So a toornado can do much more damage.