The 2024 severe weather season in southeast Texas so far has been destructive.
Storms produced blinding downpours leading to flooding, tornadoes, and 100 mph straight-line winds that tore through homes and businesses.
The severe storms also impact drivers.
Houston is known for its vast highway systems that are used by millions of drivers every single day.
The loops and construction can make it difficult to navigate on a good day. Now add severe storms into that mix and even more anxiety might settle in. This is what many Houston drivers experienced as rounds of severe weather hit during late April and May.
Here are the top 5 dos and don’ts if you are stuck in your vehicle when severe storms hit:
DO THIS:
Make sure you have a way to get alerts – without them you won’t know if the storm is in your area or how long it will lasting.
- If you are under a Severe Thunderstorm Warning or Tornado Warning the best-case scenario is to seek shelter in a sturdy nearby building.
- If you cannot find a sturdy building, stay in your car but DO NOT park under an overpass or bridge. These structures can create a wind tunnel, increasing winds and even flinging debris towards you.
DO NOT DO THIS:
- DON’T park near trees. Strong winds can lead to downed trees which may fall on you and your car.
- NEVER try to outrun a tornado. If you can see a tornado in your path– drive away from it and remember the 90-degree rule. You want to drive at right angles, if possible, away from the tornado.
Worst Case Scenario
If a tornado is coming in your direction, you have two options:
- 1) stay in your car, bend down, cover your head
- 2) leave your car and find a low-lying area to lay down in and cover your head