A second retaining wall creates a stunning 11,000 square feet of space for. The design uses the existing structural framework to keep key girders in place, then carves out more space for pedestrians, excavating 4,700 cubic yards of dirt from the sides. “As a last resort, lie flat in a ditch, ravine or below grade culvert to protect yourself from flying debris. The before shot, looking a lot like most freeway underpasses do today. In reality, an overpass may be one of the worst places to seek shelter. In addition to the debris that can injure you, the winds under an overpass are channeled and could easily blow you or carry you out from under the overpass and throw you 100s of yards. Many people mistakenly think that a highway overpass provides safety from a tornado. “Tornadic winds can make the most benign item a dangerous missile.

In fact, if a tornado were to move directly over an overpass, the winds funneled. Seeking shelter under an overpass puts you at greater risk of being killed or seriously injured by flying debris from the powerful tornadic winds,” the agency wrote. If the tornado had, flying debris from the tornado could have easily been blown under the overpass striking them. In reality, an overpass may be one of the worst places to seek shelter from a tornado. Do not take shelter under a highway overpass. “Many people mistakenly think that a highway overpass provides safety from a tornado. If you can safely get lower than the roadway leave your car and lie in that area, cover your head with your hands. (WTVO) - As of now, the National Weather Service (NWS) has confirmed 16 tornadoes swept through northern Illinois Friday night, causing damage, power outages, and at least one death in Belvidere when the roof of the Apollo Theater collapsed on concertgoers.īut, if you’re out driving and a tornado hits, the NWS says one of the worst places you can seek shelter is beneath an overpass.

Highway underpass tornado