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Opening windows to equalize air pressure will save a roof, or even a home, from destruction by a tornado.
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Homes are damaged by strong winds, not air pressure changes.
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Even with the windows closed,
most houses and commercial buildings have enough openings to
vent the pressure difference in the time that it takes for a
tornado to pass. Texas Tech's Institute
for Disaster Research team reported that the pressure
drop inside a tornado with 260 mph winds (F5 tornado) is
only about 10%. Most buildings can usually release this
amount of pressure in just a few seconds using the the vents
already built in the structure and is a sufficient time even
if the tornado is moving forward at a very rapid, for example
60 mph. It is the the violent wind in a tornado that destroys
the house not the buildup of air pressure inside the structure.
Leave the windows
alone, the tornado will open them for you. Instead,
immediately go to a safe place should a tornado threaten. Follow
these safety rules...
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In homes and small buildings, go to an interior part of the lowest level such as closets, bathrooms or interior halls. Get under something sturdy.
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Don't even think about trying to escape from a tornado in your vehicle. Your are much, much safer in your house.
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Avoid windows, doors and outside walls.
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Leave trailers and mobile homes and get into substantial shelter. If there is noshelter nearby, lie flat in a ditch or ravine with your hands shielding your head.
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The National Weather Service reminds you to
BE WEATHERWISE...NOT OTHERWISE
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Webmaster
US Dept of Commerce
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
National Weather Service
San Joaquin Valley Weather Forecast Office
900 Foggy Bottom Road
Hanford, CA 93230-5236
Tel: (559) 584-3752
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