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Parking under an overpass.
- Thread starter Todd Lemery
- Start date
Warren Faidley
Supporter
It's just a matter of time before this plays out in a tragic event. It's coming.
Dan Robinson
EF5
I almost got trapped on 141 and I-70 on Wednesday due to this situation developing again in the STL metro. There was no hail, only a tornado warning. I know everyone is gun-shy after May 16th but was a little surprised to see that the message hadn't apparently been received at all (local media really did a good job of chiding the ones who blocked I-170 during the May 16 tornado).
A generous laying on of the horn and flashing high beams got them to move, thankfully. Any tornado would have been to my west, but I had no visual and certainly didn't want to get stuck.
One thing I do see when chasing in a big city is that during a tornado warning, there is a bit of "every man for himself, there are no rules" so you just don't know what people are going to do when they think they are in survival mode. That's probably going to be pronounced here for a long time until the May 16 effect wears off.
A generous laying on of the horn and flashing high beams got them to move, thankfully. Any tornado would have been to my west, but I had no visual and certainly didn't want to get stuck.
One thing I do see when chasing in a big city is that during a tornado warning, there is a bit of "every man for himself, there are no rules" so you just don't know what people are going to do when they think they are in survival mode. That's probably going to be pronounced here for a long time until the May 16 effect wears off.
Warren Faidley
Supporter
Like I suggested during a recent media interview, if you see a block in front of you (e.g., taillights and slowing traffic), take the off ramp, go over the top and take the on-ramp to avoid the block.
Dan Robinson
EF5
Yeah normally that would have been the option, but this happened right as I got to the underpass in the left lane. A semi in the right lane also helped by blasting them with their horn.
Certainly a good idea in some scenarios as long as:
1) the blockage isn't already back beyond the off ramp as it often is
2) there is an off ramp. Plenty of bridges cross highways with no connection
3) visibility permits this tactic
4) the blockage doesn't start with a couple cars in front of you as Dan mentioned
I will reiterate that this behavior needs severe punishment. ANY intentional blocking of transit arteries by people hiding from weather, protesting, whatever other reason is a huge safety and commerce issue and should be license revocation and impoundment if done in a vehicle, or arrest if done in person- with very large fines on the order of 10K and up (more than an average hail insurance claim). There is never, ever an acceptable reason to block transportation arteries. With a little planning, people can be somewhere else if they want to avoid the storm. Only a severe deterrent and education is ever going to reduce or stop this behavior. Most agencies do nothing, but a few have written out tickets to large groups, which is a start.
If it was up to me, I would design a bridge that crushes stopped cars, has lasers or gattling guns, or all three (joking obviously).
Jesse Risley
Staff member
I'm going to be that guy because I feel as strongly about this as I do so-called left lane campers that refuse to keep right except to pass out of their own hubris or righteous sense of indignation: make it a criminal misdemeanor on par with a DUI where you are taken into custody (I want you arrested right then and there) and the vehicles are towed at the owner's expense. The fine should be in excess of $1000 with a suspension of your license, upon conviction, for at least 6 months. For what it's worth, while not a moving violation, I also personally feel that littering fines should start at a minimum of $1000 too although neither left lane campers nor litterers are germane to the discussion directly at hand here. Yes, I realize that from a practical standpoint law enforcement likely has neither the manpower nor the desire to enforce this but in an ideal scenario that's how I'd prefer it be handled. I'm not apologizing for my belief that consequences for these offenses should be swift and extreme.
Exactly like those.
One of my favorite movies, I just wish it didn't now seem like a documentary instead of a comedy.
G Diaz
EF0
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2025
- Messages
- 18
I got stuck on U.S 75 after this exact scenario happended. Weird looking cloud that people thought was a tornado. Had to roll down my windows down to scream at them that there was no tornado.
Michael Towers
Supporter
One of the things I’ll never forget about Quinter 2—aside from the tornado itself—was witnessing people begin parking under the I-70 overpass a full 11 minutes before the tornado actually crossed the highway. I was set up on the shoulder of the eastbound lanes just west of the overpass, filming, when cars started pulling off the road ahead of me, seeking shelter under the bridge. While I can understand the instinct to take cover if a tornado is seconds away, doing so with 11 minutes to spare left me in disbelief.
It’s well known that overpasses are not safe tornado shelters, and parking there just made everyone a sitting duck. I kept filming, but soon people began parking in the right lane, leaving only the left lane open—and I realized I, too, was at risk of getting trapped. I stopped filming, drove through on the left lane while honking and urging people to move, and thankfully at least one person followed me. There were still about eight minutes before the tornado would cross the road—not far from that exact location.
Once I was clear, I found a better vantage point and resumed filming. By then, the tornado had grown into a massive barrel,
due south of me but tracking on a path that would take it just west of me. I was so absorbed in the spectacle that I barely noticed the absence of traffic—except for a local who pulled up behind me and, in a burst of excitement, ran over to shout about what we were witnessing. I matched his energy; the adrenaline was incredible.
The tornado tightened into a cone and then, when it appeared it was roping out, it suddenly re-intensified into a stovepipe. Now it was less than a minute from the highway.
Suddenly, I remembered all the vehicles huddled under and behind the bridge. A wave of dread hit me—I feared I was about to document a preventable tragedy. Traffic began moving but far too late, fortunately the tornado veered west before crossing the highway.
From what I recall, only one car was thrown about 50 yards, with the passenger injured but no fatalities. It was sheer luck that the tornado missed the cluster of vehicles.
Looking back at the stills (sorry for the crappy quality), there were more than a few cars under and behind that overpass. All those people’s lives were put in danger by the reckless decision to shelter there, likely out of panic and ignorance rather than reckless selfishness (at least I hope). It’s a sobering reminder of how dangerous misinformation and herd behavior can be in moments of crisis—and how close I came to witnessing tragedy that day.
It’s well known that overpasses are not safe tornado shelters, and parking there just made everyone a sitting duck. I kept filming, but soon people began parking in the right lane, leaving only the left lane open—and I realized I, too, was at risk of getting trapped. I stopped filming, drove through on the left lane while honking and urging people to move, and thankfully at least one person followed me. There were still about eight minutes before the tornado would cross the road—not far from that exact location.
Once I was clear, I found a better vantage point and resumed filming. By then, the tornado had grown into a massive barrel,
due south of me but tracking on a path that would take it just west of me. I was so absorbed in the spectacle that I barely noticed the absence of traffic—except for a local who pulled up behind me and, in a burst of excitement, ran over to shout about what we were witnessing. I matched his energy; the adrenaline was incredible.
The tornado tightened into a cone and then, when it appeared it was roping out, it suddenly re-intensified into a stovepipe. Now it was less than a minute from the highway.
Suddenly, I remembered all the vehicles huddled under and behind the bridge. A wave of dread hit me—I feared I was about to document a preventable tragedy. Traffic began moving but far too late, fortunately the tornado veered west before crossing the highway.
From what I recall, only one car was thrown about 50 yards, with the passenger injured but no fatalities. It was sheer luck that the tornado missed the cluster of vehicles.
Looking back at the stills (sorry for the crappy quality), there were more than a few cars under and behind that overpass. All those people’s lives were put in danger by the reckless decision to shelter there, likely out of panic and ignorance rather than reckless selfishness (at least I hope). It’s a sobering reminder of how dangerous misinformation and herd behavior can be in moments of crisis—and how close I came to witnessing tragedy that day.
G Diaz
EF0
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2025
- Messages
- 18
So you're saying, that with the time that they had, they could've completely evaded the tornado and move to a more proper shelter?! I swear people these days
Michael Towers
Supporter
They had enough time to grab a snack, check the weather app, write a Yelp review for the overpass, write a memoir titled ‘Why Hiding Under a Bridge is Dumb: My Journey to Common Sense' AND still get out of the way to safety. But hey, why not turn the bridge into a tailgate party instead?So you're saying, that with the time that they had, they could've completely evaded the tornado and move to a more proper shelter?! I swear people these days
Michael Towers
Supporter
Jokes aside, I do get that in the heat of the moment, fear can override logic...especially if you’re a parent with kids in the car and a tornado’s bearing down. While parking under a bridge puts everyone at greater risk and really shouldn’t be done (and honestly, should be penalized), I can understand why someone might make that choice when panic sets in. In a true life-or-death situation, people don’t always think clearly…they just want to protect their loved ones. It’s a tough spot, and while the action is wrong, the instinct behind it is very human. Take the example of a mother driving with her kids. A tornado’s on the horizon, her phone’s blaring alerts, and her instincts scream to pull over and protect her children. She parks under a bridge. It’s wrong. It blocks traffic and puts everyone at risk. But it’s also human. Panic isn’t logical. We can’t excuse dangerous decisions…but we can understand them. And more importantly, we can prevent them. That’s why the solution to this problem must go beyond punishment. Education is the foundation. Many people simply don’t know the dangers of bridge sheltering. Consistent public messaging, starting in schools and reinforced through driver’s education and storm-season PSAs, can help build awareness.
We can’t control tornadoes, but we can control how we respond. With even a few minutes’ warning, people can get to real safety instead of risking their lives (and others’) under a bridge. If we combine education, technology, and a little empathy, we can make a real difference and hopefully prevent a tragedy before it happens.
We can’t control tornadoes, but we can control how we respond. With even a few minutes’ warning, people can get to real safety instead of risking their lives (and others’) under a bridge. If we combine education, technology, and a little empathy, we can make a real difference and hopefully prevent a tragedy before it happens.
JamesCaruso
Staff member
I think the ideal action for motorists to take has become clouded in confusion over the years. “Lie in a ditch” is an almost unfathomable action. As you noted, panic derails rational thinking, and there is a human drive to seek shelter. Getting out of a car into insane wind, and likely heavy rain and hail, and possibly debris flying around, is the exact opposite reaction that is impossible even for me as a chaser to imagine doing. I’m not sure the average person understands that they should easily be able to drive away from a tornado as long as they are not crossing its path, and assuming of course they are not stuck in traffic. I seem to recall hearing that there has even been advice in recent years to stay in the vehicle, with at least some chance of protection from seat belts and air bags. I could be wrong about that, but even as a chaser the public safety messaging seems muddled to me, I can only imagine what the general public thinks.
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