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Should I or should I not open windows during a tornado?
This question can also be asked as:
Does opening windows during a tornado keep pressure from blowing up your house?
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Several years ago, theory held that the low pressure inside a tornado made buildings "explode" as the tornado passed over them. When the pressure outside the building suddenly dropped, the higher air pressure inside the building would push out the walls. The idea was that opening a window would equalize the pressure and prevent this.
As a child, my mother always wanted to open windows, but when you are short on time, it was more imparative for us to run for cover so weighing the option of getting hit by blown in glass, we would always leave ours closed when short on time.
Since then, researchers have found that tornado winds destroy buildings, often by first lifting the roof off. When this happens, the walls might fall outward. The sudden drop in outside air pressure wasn't "exploding" buildings. The current advice is don't waste time opening windows, get into a safe shelter such as a bathroom with no windows.
More information can be found at usatoday.com in their weather section.
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I wouldnt worry about opening windows or not, Id just get to some shelter!