Some people have misconceptions about the weather, and some of the myths can prove to be very dangerous or life-threatening. Take a few minutes and read some common misconceptions about the weather that you should stop believing.
1. Hurricanes and Tornadoes are the most deadly natural disaster
Hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes may seem like the most dangerous natural disaster you could ever face. However, according to a research, floods and heat droughts actually the most deadly that killed more Americans over time. Surprisingly, deaths caused by the high speed winds, like tornadoes and hurricane, don’t even rank second when it comes to deaths statistics. Most deaths in hurricanes happen when people drown in the massive storm surges. It appears that the main danger of a hurricane is a huge amount of water that are present where people did not expect it to be.
2. Lightning don't strikes the same place twice.
This is a very common misconception. Actually, lightning can strike any location more than once. It may take even less than a minute within a single thunderstorm, or longer than a hundred years, yet lightning will eventually strike the same place over and over again. Lightning is more likely to strike taller objects because they have an upward channel than shorter ones. However, the probability of a lightning strike also depends on other factors, such as the presence of metal, salt water, or moisture in or near the ground.
Hard to believe? Here's a proof.
3. The Doorways are the Safest place during Earthquake
It's true if you live in unreinforced adobe house or some old wood frame. However, most modern interior doorways are not constructed to withstand the impact of an earthquake, and they also leave you vulnerable to both sides. You are more likely to get hurt by the door slamming open and shut. If you are in a public place, standing on a doorway is one of the thing to definitely not to do, you could be in danger from people trying to hurry outside. It’s safer to be kneeling or laying on the ground rather than standing, to protect you from falling debris and other possible injuries. Inside corners gives a better protection, or get under the table or desk. It is one of the safety practices to find something like a pillow to cover your head and face.
4.The so called "Earthquake Weather"
There is no such thing as "Earthquake weather". There is no connection between earthquakes and weather. Earthquakes are the result of geographic processes within the earth and can happen in any weather, in all climate, in all seasons and any time of the year. Every region of the world has a story about earthquake weather, but the type of weather is what they had for their most memorable earthquake.
5. It's safe to drive through a flooded road
There are many that will get through a quite severe floods but there are various risk doing this. Aside from shorted-out electrics on petrol cars, there is also a risk that the engine will suck the water in which will cause it to lock solid, smashing connecting rods, pistons, and even crankshafts. If the water is moving faster, there is also a risk that the car could be carried away into deeper flood water with you inside. All it takes is two feet of rushing water before your vehicle, even SUVs and pickup trucks, can get carried away by the flood currents.6. Better drink alcohol in the winter
Drinking alcohol can make you believe that you are warm but the red cheeks that come with a drink are misleading. Drinking alcohol will make you feel warm because it causes blood to rush to your skin's surface. However, it actually causes your blood vessels to widen and makes you lose your body's heat faster. Drinking alcohol in the cold weather also decreases the shivering process, which creates extra body heat. Bottom line, the old practice of drinking alcoholic drinks to keep the body warm in a cold weather is the exact opposite of what you should do.
7. Opening the windows to balance the air pressure and to lower tornado damages
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Opening windows during a tornado is absolutely useless, a waste of precious time, and can be very dangerous. You may be injured by flying glass attempting to do it. When the tornado hits your home, it will blast the windows open anyway. Even though tornadoes are caused by intense pressure, just by opening the windows will not help alleviate or equalize this. Due to the intense power of a tornado, it is best to look for a shelter underground, in a basement or in a room with no windows altogether. Opening them will only create an entrance through which more debris can enter your house.
Hope you enjoyed reading this! If you have any weather misconceptions please let us know by commenting below.
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