Tornado Watch

“We can get severe weather any month of the year, but there definitely is a peak …when it comes to tornados, very large hail and high thunderstorm winds. Definitely April, May and into early June”

- Dan Reilly, National Weather Service, ABC 13 Town Hall, April 23, 2021

Tornados are extremely risky in any vehicle, and the risk is even higher in a CV with a large surface area exposed to wind. There is no safe option, just slightly less dangerous ones. If the tornado is visible, far away and traffic is light, you may be about to drive out of its path by moving at right angles to its direction of travel.

Seek shelter in a sturdy building or underground if possible. If you are caught in extreme winds or flying debris, as seen here, park as quickly and safely as possible out of traffic lanes. Stay in the vehicle with your seat belt fastened and cover your head and face with your arms below the windshield with a blanket, coat or pillow. If you can safely get out of the vehicle and can get into a culvert or drainage ditch, take your cushions, cover your head and lie face down. Stay as far away from trees and cars as you can. Avoid seeking shelter under a bridge. The bridge will not protect from flying debris and your vehicle could contribute to an even bigger traffic hazard.

Weather forecasting is an inexact science. Besides a visible tornado, here are some things to watch for while keeping an eye out the window.

1. Rotation of a cloud base

2. Whirling dust as seen here. This photo shows small streaks of rain and hail

3. Heavy rain or hail followed by a dead calm or fast intense wind shift. I have personally observed skies turn green and dark, with a 30 degree drop in temperature during a tornado in Huntsville, Alabama that killed 21 and injuring 500 more, hitting in the center of the city on November 15, 1989. This same storm system spawned 40 more tornados that struck as far away as New Jersey and Canada. The total death toll rose to 30 and caused $160 M in property damage.

4. Loud continuous roar or rumble which does not fade in a few seconds like thunder

5. At night, look for small, bright, blue-green flashes at ground level – these could be snapping power lines.

CyntrX ELD Pro can help with Hours of Service questions in any severe weather event. There are three exceptions to driving rules that our found on our mobile ELD app. The first is an often-forgotten exemption that allows a driver to work for 16 hours once a week (FMCSA §395.1(o). This exemption can be very helpful for any delay including weather or demurrage. Next, drive time itself can be extended two hours in adverse driving conditions (§395.1(b)(1). In the case of extreme emergency, all driving rules can be suspended in emergency conditions as referenced in §395.1(b)(2). The FMCSA always advises “Annotate, Annotate, Annotate!” CyntrX ELD Pro allows you to enter a reason for any exemption in your own words.

From the main screen, choose Option>Exemption>Add Exception (check all that apply) and enter a reason in the text box as shown below.