Ahead Of The Storm: What To Do If You’re In Your Vehicle When Severe Weather Strikes

News On 6’s team of professional storm trackers are trained to stay safe while keeping you weather aware.

But close calls can happen to anyone. And News On 6’s Bob Rohloff knows that well.

Bob had a scary encounter with a tornado and shared some important advice for anyone who might be in their car when severe weather strikes.

“Oklahoma weather is always unpredictable,” Bob said. “I’ve been chasing for over 20 years and will still get surprised out there.”

News On 6 Storm Tracker Bob Rohloff recounted his encounter with a tornado that was much too close for comfort.

“I got hit by a tornado in 2007,” Bob said. “I happened to see an [Oklahoma Highway Patrol] trooper and a volunteer fireman go northbound into the storm. I tried to catch them to warn them, and we got hit.”

Fortunately, Bob had the training to get out of there quickly.

What should you do if you get caught in your car during severe weather?

First, driving during severe weather is never advised. But if storms break out while you are in your vehicle, there are some important tips to remember.

If rain starts falling, turn your headlights on and avoid using cruise control.

If you are caught in strong winds, or a hailstorm, do not park under a bridge or overpass. It could lead to a traffic jam, or worse.

“If you are in the area of hail and you pull over, you may very well be in the area of the tornado that is right behind the hail,” Bob stated.

Instead of pulling over, try to find a sturdy building nearby. If there is no building in sight, and you have no other options, pull off to the side of the road, stay in the car with the seatbelt on, and get as low to the floor as possible and away from the windows.

“If you are anywhere around storms, always expect something to happen,” Bob said.