Never Take Shelter Under an Overpass During a Tornado, FEMA Warns

It’s one of the most persistent—and dangerous—myths about tornado safety: that an overpass offers shelter. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) wants to make one thing clear: Highway overpasses are one of the worst places you can be when a tornado strikes.

Overpasses may look sturdy and protective, but they create a deadly trap. Here’s why: At first glance, the space beneath a bridge seems like it might offer protection. Some people try to climb up to the small space under the roadbed, thinking they’ll be safer off the ground. But in reality, there’s little to hold on to and no safe place to lie flat. Most overpasses are just smooth concrete—no ledges, no beams, and no barriers between you and the wind.

What’s worse, overpasses actually intensify the danger. Tornado winds are stronger at higher elevations. The narrow opening under a bridge acts like a wind tunnel, funneling powerful, rotating winds—and flying debris—directly into that space. People who seek shelter there are left completely exposed to some of the most violent forces on Earth. Debris carried by these winds has been known to shred trees and tear apart buildings. The human body is no match.

There’s also the issue of traffic. When one person pulls over to shelter under a bridge, others often follow. This blocks the roadway, preventing emergency vehicles and other drivers from escaping the area. In some of the most severe tornadoes on record, roads were clogged by vehicles under overpasses, leaving hundreds of people trapped with no way out.

What Should You Do Instead?

Avoid driving during tornado conditions. If a warning has been issued or the sky looks threatening, don’t get on the road.

Find shelter inside a sturdy building. Even during violent tornadoes, people who stay inside—especially in interior rooms away from windows—are far more likely to survive.

If you’re driving and can see the tornado’s path, try to drive at a right angle to it. This advice is no longer listed in National Weather Service guidelines, but experts still agree it’s safer than stopping under a bridge.

If there’s no other option, and you’re in immediate danger, get out of your car and lie flat in a low-lying area or ditch, with your hands covering your head. Winds are weakest at ground level, and you’ll be lower than flying debris. Do not stay in your car—it can be tossed or crushed by tornado winds.

FEMA’s message is clear: overpasses are not shelters. Knowing where not to go in a tornado can save your life. Share the facts, correct the myth, and stay safe the next time severe weather hits.