Behavior of vehicles during tornado winds

摘要

The degree to which motor vehicles offer protection to occupants from tornado winds and associated debris was examined. The goal is to improve tornado safety recommendations for those in isolated mobile homes and in vehicles when a tornado approaches. Field surveys were made after torna- does in northern Georgia(March 1994), Middlefield, OH(May 1995), Louis- ville, KY(May 1996), Arkansas(March 1997), and Texas(May 1997). A sample of 180 vehicles parked outdoors adjacent to a home and exposed to tornado winds were examined from these five events to determine the behavior of the vehicles in relation to estimated wind speed.