竜巻については多くの誤解が広まっている。被害を受けないために、正しい理解をもつことが必要だ。

誤解その1：自動車で逃げれば大丈夫。

アメリカ海洋大気庁（NOAA）のサイトによると、竜巻の移動速度は時速113キロにまで達する。すぐそばまで来ている場合、車で逃げ切ろうとするよりも、車を捨て、避難場所を探す方が賢明だ。

誤解その2：高速道路の高架下は、竜巻の避難場所として適している。

「Ohio Committee for Severe Weather Awareness（気象災害についての理解を広めるためのオハイオ州委員会）」のサイトによると、実際には、高架下に避難すると怪我や死亡のリスクが増大するという。

高架下では風速が増し、竜巻通過の際には、風向きが逆になることもある。そのため、竜巻が来る時は、頑丈な建物に避難した方が良い。もし、そのような建物までたどり着けない場合は、側溝の下でうつ伏せになり、飛来するがれきから身を守るために、後頭部で両手を組もう。

誤解その3：竜巻は大都市を襲わない。

アメリカ海洋大気庁（NOAA）の国立気候データセンターによると、竜巻はこれまでに、ダラスやセントルイス、マイアミなどの米国の大都市を直撃している。そして、都市を襲う竜巻は、飛来するがれきの量も多くなるため、特に危険だ。

誤解その4：竜巻は川を渡らない

アメリカ国立気象局（NWS）の気候予測センターによると、地形は、竜巻の移動に影響を与えると考えられるが、川には竜巻の動きを止める効果は全くないようだ。

1925年に発生し、米国史上最も多くの犠牲者を出した竜巻のひとつとされる「トライステート竜巻」は、ミシシッピ川とウォバッシュ川を横断している。（トライステート竜巻は1925年3月18日に、南部から中西部にかけて広範囲で複数の竜巻が発生したもの。ミズーリ・イリノイ・インディアナ各州を通過したF5級の竜巻による被害が大きく、死者は747人に達した）

誤解その5：外と室内の「気圧を等しくする」ため、窓を開けよう。

実際は、竜巻が家の真上を通過する際、その下にある家は「破裂」するわけではない。「窓を開ける」という行為によって、避難場所を探すための貴重な時間を無駄にしてしまう、とアメリカ国立気象局（NWS）はサイトで述べている。

誤解その6：建物の南西側の角が最も安全な場所

『USA Today』紙によると、「南西の角は安全」というのは迷信だ。竜巻は通常、南西方向から来るため、がれきは地下室の北東側の角に落下することが多いことから生まれた誤解だという。

[David Freeman　日本語版：丸山佳伸／ガリレオ]

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