Ditch Question...

[Paul Hadfield]

We all know the famous statement:

~ If caught outside or in a vehicle, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands. ~

What I want to know is...

1.) who came up with this idea?
2.) has it been tested? and if so...
3.) has it been captured on video?

I'm thinking "Myth Busters" with helmet cams.

 

[Andrew Herron]

The idea is that you'll be below the debris as it's flying around which we know is the most dangerous part of the tornado. If it was just some fast moving wind and no dust or debris I don't think any of us would mind getting hit with one, it'd sure to be one hell of a ride!

 

[David Drummond]

There is no way I would ever take shelter in a ditch, except maybe in some very rural situations. In any are with enough structures that were hit that I have ever seen, the ditches fill up with debris. Just my own personal choice from things I have seen first hand. I couldn't in good conscience recommend it to anyone either.

 

[Rob Wadsworth]

We all know the famous statement:

~ If caught outside or in a vehicle, lie flat in a nearby ditch or depression and cover your head with your hands. ~

What I want to know is...

1.) who came up with this idea?
2.) has it been tested? and if so...
3.) has it been captured on video?

I'm thinking "Myth Busters" with helmet cams.

I've often womdered about the viabillity of 'ditch diving' when a tube is present - too.
I had to pass this info out to locals that insisted on driving through I-70 - while in Quinter KS this year.
I hope that wasn't bad advice, and I would hate to find out the hard way that is was.

I have problems with the 'MythBuster ' crew - though.
I remember one episode where they proved that stray bullets coming down after reaching apogee were not lethal.
I'd like to see those 'MythBuster' guys in Iraq trying to make the same claim.
I'd like to call them irresponsible to their smug faces...

 

[Bob Hall]

I have to agree with David that taking refuge in a ditch would never be preferable, and the only time I can even imagine would be a disabled vehicle in the middle of nowhere with only a ditch as my only choice. One “tipâ€￾ I got from a veteran was to make sure and not put the vehicle between you and the tornado as most of us would instinctively do.

I have problems with the 'MythBuster ' crew - though.
I remember one episode where they proved that stray bullets coming down after reaching apogee were not lethal.
I'd like to see those 'MythBuster' guys in Iraq trying to make the same claim.
I'd like to call them irresponsible to their smug faces...

As for the myth buster episode I think you might want to catch a rerun. They found that a bullet fired perpendicular to the earth at a 90 degree angle is relatively harmless upon its fall to Earth. As the firing angle deviates from perpendicular the bullet behaves a spun stabilized projectile maintaining significant velocity and lethality. They concluded their explanation that the myth was true but admonished the audience that firing guns in the air is always dangerous and should be avoided.

 

[Stuart Wilson]

Ditch diving is probably preferable to the underpass refuge though and perhaps that what the authorities were trying to do - discourage people from sheltering there.
Obviously it's best to have plans for a tornado and seek shelter in a safe place. If that's not possible then driving away might be preferable (than staying in your prefab). But if you're going to get hit by a tornado, we've all seen what it can do to a vehicle, then don't be in your car.

I for one would take my chances well away from the underpass, my car, your car and any other large missiles and dive down the nearest ditch (Assuming I'd exhausted all other possibilities). Remember, you're not looking for a safe place (There ain't one out there in an F2 or bigger), you're just looking to improve chances of living.

 

[David Drummond]

I think I would take the overpass, provided it had the cubbyholes up in it (most of the newer ones don't have that). Or any other concrete protection for that matter, like an enclosed culvert that didn't look like it was about to flood or something.

The ditches I have seen filled with crap weren't necessarily big heavy objects in there, like cars, but rather hundreds of pounds of shredded, splintery wood with nails sticking out of it. I would worry more about that stuff impaling me than a car falling me. Cars don't usually fly around in the air in all but the most rare tornadoes. If your outside in a tornado flinging vehicles around you better start praying to whatever invisible being in the sky you believe in.

However, almost all tornadoes that hit any structures have plenty of that nail-laden splintery wood flying around. All it would take is one well placed piece to take you out. Heck even smaller vegetation would become like small knives. Ever had a little cut by some hay? Imagine a few hundred pounds of it flying across you at over 100 mph. It would be like a face full of foaming weasels!

 

[Steve Miller]

Yes, I too have been witness to ditches full of post-tornado debris. I'll opt for not getting that close in the first place. That's what zoom lenses are for.

 

[Robert Rohloff]

Diving into the ditch could kill you without the storm hitting you. Some years ago a tornado hit the Keystone Lake area west of Tulsa. One of the victims of the storm hit the ditch, problem was it had many baby water moccasins in it. I am thinking I would rather die trying to out run it than get bit by many snakes...........

 

[Shane Adams]

My vehicle is (a) heavier than me and (b) faster than me. No way I'd ever abandon a vehicle for a ditch. I've seen that 1986 MN helicopter video too many times, and those trees had roots.

 

[mikegeukes]

There are some areas, of the plains and corn belt, where you cannot find
a ditch. Especially where corn and soybeans are planted right up to the
road. If, you cannot find a ditch, or shelter. There is always a possible
option, of driving at right angles to the direction the tornado is moving,
especially if the road options are good, like a grid. Make sure you know
what direction the tornado is moving.

Mike
Lansing, MI
http://geukesweather.blogspot.com

Unemployment rate in Michigan 8.9%, worst in the nation.

 

[Skip Talbot]

I've seen enough photos and video of couch sized crumpled balls of steel that were once cars to know not to ride out a wedge from inside a car. You have to use all your resources at hand. That means preventing the situation from arising, fleeing the situation, and then finally making use of any surroundings you have for shelter. If I'm stranded with a large tornado bearing down on me, I'll definitely take the ditch over the car. Whether you are in the car or not you are going to be in a pile of debris afterwards, and I'll take my chances becoming a wood splinter pincushion under a pile of boards then being crushed in mangled metal.

 

[Derek Mohr]

Actually, I was watching a tornado recap on Discovery and two chasers actually drove through an EF3 without being thrown to the side...so I might actually choose the car, granted I know the direction it's traveling.

 

[Amymarie]

I drive a lot for work & have been caught in some serious storms. I would love to have another option besides my car & the ditch. I have heard the right angle theory, but I am not sure I understand the logic or the path. Do you estimate the path of the tornado & drive at a right angle off this "line"?

 

[jeremy wilson]

One of the victims of the storm hit the ditch, problem was it had many baby water moccasins in it. I am thinking I would rather die trying to out run it than get bit by many snakes...........

What a horrible day. Get chased by a nader and then jump in a ditch full of snakes. Thats a freakin' nightmare! The only thing worse would be a snake filled tornado.