Why isn't it safe to hide under a bridge during a tornado?

Question

im talking about between the steel beams under the bridge at the top of the steep slope on either side

Answer 1

. First, ALL tornadoes have some amount of debris within their near-surface flow. In the case of a strong or violent tornado, much more debris would be present, traveling at much higher speeds, especially when debris from man-made structures is involved. In strong and violent tornadoes, typically harmless everyday items such as shingles, boards, pop cans, dishes (or pieces thereof) become dangerous missiles and are responsible for most tornado casualties. Second, by climbing up under an overpass, people will be exposed to higher wind speeds and more flying debris. Third, the narrow passage underneath an overpass might cause an increase in the wind speed under the bridge. The extent to which this is true, and the circumstances under which it could happen are not known, but this is at least a possibility. Fourth, most overpasses don't have girders or support beams for handholds or small ledges into which to crawl. And, finally, if an overpass is directly in the path of a tornado, the wind will change direction nearly 180 degrees as the vortex passes. Thus, if one side of the overpass was protected from the highest wind speeds as the tornado approached, that same side of the bridge will be completely exposed to the wind and flying debris as the tornado moves away and vice-versa.

Answer 2

The brigde might not be sturdy enough and it could squash you. or you could be taken from under it. I would say: get in  the bathtub and cover your head with pillows. Research shows that bathtubs rarely get damaged in tornadoes.

Answer 3

Well, because it will.... how do u say it...... TOPPLE OVER U!!!!!!!

Answer 4

The bridge will tip over or even split in half and fall on you.

Answer 5

Because the winds can come and suck you out from under the bridge, just as if you were standing out in the open.

Answer 6

As a professional meteorologist and storm chaser, I think I can answer this for you :)

The bridge will hold up just fine, that's not the problem.  The problem is that you're trapped but you're still outside.  If the tornado hits the bridge that you're under, you will get hit with everything that it is carrying (bricks, rocks, cars, etc) and you won't be able to get away.  The wind gets stronger as you get higher off the ground.

In 1999 when a tornado went through Oklahoma City near where I lived, a woman was completely buried in dirt and rocks under a bridge just like that.

It all got started because of a famous video from 1991 where a bunch of people get up under there and they're fine.  It turned out that the tornado didn't actually hit the bridge, but went off to the side a bit, which is why they were fine.  

It is NEVER safe to be under a bridge.  In fact, that is perhaps more dangerous than standing out in the open.

Answer 7

There is a wind tunnel effect.  If the tornado is powerful

enough it can destroy a bridge.  A woman tried it here a

couple of years ago and she was found dead a mile away.

Answer 8

do you know when a tornado goes into a house it tares it up it can also do the same to a bridge.

Answer 9

We were always told that if you got up under an overpass bridge, up in the girders, that was a very safe place to be.