Trucking and Severe Weather - Tornadoes and Hurricanes

Summer is a great time to be a truck driver. We go to some of the most beautiful and scenic places. We don’t have to deal with the ice, snow, and cold of winter. Summer does present challenging and severe weather such as tornadoes, flash floods and hurricanes; which can be dangerous and even lethal.

Tornadoes

You’re big tornado areas are South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Iowa, Missouri and Arkansas; to a lesser extent North Dakota, Montana, Illinois, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

You need to keep up with weather conditions. We put on a lot of miles in a day and can drive through several different weather patterns. If you check weather conditions you’ll get an idea if you’re driving into a place where tornadoes will touch down. Stop and shut down well before getting into the affected area.

If you pay attention the actual funnel isn’t your biggest concern as you’ll be well out of harm’s way. Be aware these storms can change directions and can start to head toward your area. If you’re not paying attention, the funnels are part of a larger system – one hell of a storm with wind shears that can blow a fully loaded truck off the road. You’ll be forced to shut down one way or another. If you’re in a bad part of the storm, flooding is going to be a concern and the wind can blow debris.

If you get caught in the severe storm try to stop where there are locals such as a truck stop. Local people will have a good idea what to do, when to get out of dodge, and where and how to go. If you can’t get to a truck stop try to get off the freeway; don’t stop on the shoulder. Don’t park under overpasses. These act as a venturi and speed up the air flow or they can collapse.

If you’re forced to abandon the truck and are physically outside get down to the ground, preferably in a ditch, to avoid flying debris. Make sure to take and use your emergency kit.

Hurricanes

Your hurricane areas are Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and North Carolina.

The risks are pretty obvious with hurricanes and tropical storms, devastating winds and water… and if you’re in Florida, flying alligators. If a tropical storm or hurricane is going to be in your path you will likely have a couple of days notice. Just stay out of the way. If you’re in an area that will be affected, get out.

Again, follow the weather reports before and during your trip. Proper trip planning is part of your job as a professional truck driver.

At Len Dubois Trucking safety is our number one priority. We are a Winnipeg trucking company who operates through Canada most parts of the United States. We see plenty of severe weather from other regions and understand no delivery time is so important to take unnecessary risks. Our drivers are experienced professionals who operate safely.