Why cant you outrun a tornado in a car

Thousands of residents -- perhaps encouraged by newscasts and various media outlets -- tried to evacuate in their cars, which led to gridlocked interstates around Oklahoma City. Twenty-two people were killed, many of them in their vehicles [source: Associated Press]. The El Reno tornado was also notable in that four storm chasers -- at least one of whom had a stellar reputation for safety and conservatism during storms -- were killed trying to outrun the twister in their vehicles. Many experts hoped that their deaths might serve to hammer home the message that government organizations like the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have been broadcasting to the public for years: If a tornado is coming, do not get into your car.

The CDC could not possibly be more explicit in its warning to anyone thinking about speeding away from a storm. Sign up for our Newsletter! Mobile Newsletter banner close. Mobile Newsletter chat close. Chances are you will get hit by a bunch of people who are thinking the exact same thing as you. Then no one will be going anywhere in a hurry. They can also change direction and speed in a moments notice. So, the best thing to do is not try and outrun a tornado if within city limits.

Of those, 26 who died and 30 who were injured were trying to escape in automobiles, the CDC reported. Several of them fled houses that were left undamaged, according to a Red Cross survey. Tonight our hearts go out to the people in Oklahoma who died and to those who were injured. Tomorrow our minds must turn to the warped decision calculus of thousands of Oklahomans that led to the lethal traffic jams and that could have killed hundreds or thousands.

The frailty of human rationality is well known, but it was on particularly poignant display on Friday. Follow stevenmazie. How Rational Are You? Try This Quiz. How to Be More Reasonable. Skip to content. What are the odds the bank staff at the local bank will let you into the vault to take cover in case of a tornado? Again, cover your head with your hands or a blanket. You should only consider exiting your vehicle if you can do so safely. The physics of a tornado mean the car is like a piece of paper, even small ones will throw your car into the air.

Try putting a playing card on two pens and turn on a fan.