Common Thunderstorm Myths

Mark Johnson, NewsChannel5 Forecaster

Myth No. 1: "I heard a loud noise and it sounded like a train…it had to be a tornado."
Truth: Any very strong wind will make a “roaring” noise or sound like a freight train. The sound depends on the wind speed, local terrain, obstructions to flow, and atmospheric conditions.

Myth No. 2: "The wind twisted the metal on my shed…the trees that were blown down are twisted…it had to be a tornado."
Truth: One generally cannot look at any individual object to determine if the damage was caused by a tornado or straight-line winds. The total damage pattern and how the debris is strewn in relation to other debris is a better indicator. A straight-line wind can cause an object to twist as the destructive force of the wind on an object can cause uneven stress loads with different failure points.

Myth No. 3: Objects like lakes, rivers, and hills protect areas from getting hit by a tornado.
Truth: Nothing more than folklore. These features provide no protection and have little effect on the development or movement of a tornado.

Myth No. 4: Tornadoes do not strike big cities.
Truth: Some thought tornadoes would not strike the downtown area of a large metropolitan city. Recent tornadoes in downtown Fort Worth, Salt Lake City and Nashville dispelled that myth.

Myth No. 5 – Mobile homes attract tornadoes.
Truth: Mobile homes are not more likely to get hit by a tornado. Mobile homes are more likely to sustain damage (compared to a house) if struck by a tornado or strong winds.

Myth No. 6: It is safe to seek shelter from a tornado under an overpass.
Truth: Overpasses are not a safe place to take shelter. They can funnel the wind flow and increase the strength of the wind. They do not provide protection from flying debris. In addition, parking your car under or near an overpass creates a hazard to other motorists trying to pass through the area. Virtual traffic jams have been created by motorists gathering under an overpass.

Myth No. 7: We should open our windows if a tornado approaches.
Truth: Stay away from windows if a tornado approaches. If your windows are closed, leave them closed. Your house will not explode due to the decrease in pressure within the tornado. If the tornado is close enough to your house that it experiences a significant and rapid drop in pressure, chances are the wind and debris will have damaged or destroyed your house before the minimum drop in pressure occurred.

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