5 things to know about tornadoes

Tornadoes are dangerous weather phenomena, but the risk of casualties they cause can be reduced to the lowest level if every citizen knows something simple.

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Several hundred people were killed after tornadoes attacked many American states in April and May. This fact shows that tornadoes pose a potential danger. Therefore, the US Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) thinks that people should know the following.

People clean up a tornado-torn house near the city of Guthrie, Oklahoma,
America on May 24. Photo: AP.

Tornadoes attack large cities

Many people think tornadoes only attack small cities and avoid big cities. This is wrong thinking. In fact, even megacities can become targets of tornadoes. NOAA said tornadoes attacked major American cities such as Dallas, Salt Lake City and Miami.

The flyover is not a safe place to avoid cyclones

Some television shows and websites claim that when tornadoes hit, people moving on the road may hide under a certain flyover. However, storm experts say when the cyclone moves. to overpasses, their speed often increases and can reach more than 480 km / h. Scientists call that phenomenon 'Venturi effect'. In addition, the areas under the overpass are often the place where the 'gathering' wind of debris. So the risk of being injured while sheltering under the flyover also increased compared to other positions.

The most appropriate location to avoid cyclones in the home

If the house you are in has a basement, the northeast corner is often the safest place to shelter. For houses without basements, you should avoid cyclones in the middle position on the first floor.

We can predict tornadoes

When a tornado is about to happen, we can look into the atmosphere to predict. For example, cyclones often appear after hail or the sky turns green. The movement of clouds, especially the circular motion, is the surest sign of the formation of a tornado. The sound of tornadoes is often described as like an oncoming cargo train. However, many people think that it is more like a waterfall.

So if you find these signs, find a safe shelter before turning on the television to hear the meteorological agency's notice of the tornado.

Don't be afraid of empty places

If a whirlwind comes and you can't run into any house, the thing to do is find the nearest shelter. Many people try to get into a car or stand underneath a flyover because they think they block the wind effectively. However, most experts affirmed that trenches and ditches in empty areas are safer refugees than cars or overpasses. The power of the cyclone drops to the lowest level close to the ground. Therefore, the closer the human body is to the ground, the lower the risk of a cyclone.