Fact: You won't always see a tornado. The approach of many tornadoes is masked by heavy rain or hail. In forested, hilly, or built-up areas, tornadoes may not be visible until they are imminent. Some tornadoes do not have a visible column from the cloud to the ground and are noticed only when the debris-laden surface winds are close.

Myth: I can outrun a tornado in my car.

Fact: The average forward speed of a tornado is 40 to 65 km/h but some travel more rapidly. Your car may be able to travel faster than a tornado, but you need to follow the road. Tornadoes don't. If you are in a vehicle and a tornado is advancing on you, drive out of its path or seek an alternative sturdy shelter.

Myth: Cars are safer than a mobile home, trailer or cottage, when no other shelter is available.

Fact: Maybe. This is still a point of debate amongst officials in North America. If time permits, a vehicle can be a way to get to an alternative, sturdier shelter. In weaker tornadoes, a car and its safety features may offer some protection from flying debris and rollovers, especially if the occupants fasten seat belts and put their heads down. In stronger tornadoes, cars may be destroyed.

Myth: Doppler radar will always allow for plenty of advance warning.

Fact: Doppler radar registers precipitation and wind patterns within storms, helping meteorologists detect conditions that could lead to a tornado. But forecasters cannot be certain that a tornado is present until it is seen and accurately reported. If you hear a severe thunderstorm warning, always be prepared for the possibility of a tornado.

Myth: Areas near rivers, lakes, and mountains are safe from tornadoes.

Fact: No place is safe from tornadoes. Tornadoes can cross water and sometimes form over water as waterspouts. Thunderstorms do tend to weaken as they cross large lakes, but may form tornadoes when they reach the opposite shore. Thunderstorms do not generally follow rivers.

Myth: The low pressure with a tornado causes buildings to explode. Opening the windows will equalize the pressure.

Fact: Violent winds and debris cause most structural damage. Opening windows to equalize pressure has no effect. It is more important for you to move to a safe area away from windows and exterior walls. In a tornado, every second counts, so use your time wisely and take cover. In addition, open windows may allow rain, hail and winds to enter the house where they may cause damage.

Myth: Tornadoes are attracted to mobile homes and trailer parks.

Fact: Mobile homes are not more likely to be hit by a tornado but they are more vulnerable to damage because of their construction.

Myth: Go to the southwest corner of the basement when a tornado threatens.

Fact: The southwest corner is no safer than any other part of the basement. This idea was originally based on the belief that tornadoes often come from the southwest, so the debris would fall into the opposite side of the basement. The truth is that tornadoes can come from any direction and the direction the debris will fall is not consistent. In general, the basement, under a workbench, stairs, table, mattress or other sturdy objects, offers the best protection from a tornado and flying debris.

Myth: Highway overpasses are safe shelters against tornadoes.

Fact: This idea came from a video sequence shot by a television crew in the early 1990's. Overpasses can concentrate and direct the tornado winds, and place people under them in an even more dangerous situation. In recent years, several people seeking shelter beneath overpasses have been killed or injured. Being above ground level during a tornado is dangerous. Take shelter in a ditch or low-lying area below ground level and away from vehicles, but beware of flooding.

Myth: The larger the tornado looks, the stronger it is.

Fact: The appearance or size of a tornado is not necessarily an indication of its intensity. Small or narrow looking tornadoes can be very intense with very high wind speeds, and tornadoes that look large can be less intense. The Fujita scale ranking given to a tornado isn't related to the size of the tornado, it is based on the destruction done.

Myth: Tornadoes don't strike big cities.

Fact: Tornadoes don't respect urban environments. Winnipeg has been hit by tornadoes a dozen times, with one death. Regina has been struck 18 times, with 28 deaths in 1912. Edmonton has been hit 18 times, with 27 deaths in 1987.

Myth: If a thunderstorm has passed to the east, the danger is abating.

Fact: Most thunderstorms move from the west to the east, but tornadoes can occasionally travel in the opposite direction. The 2000 tornado near Neepawa, Manitoba moved 10 km from east to west before it dissipated.

Myth: If it is not raining, there is no danger from lightning.

Fact: Lightning often strikes outside of heavy rain and may occur more than 16 km away from a storm. Use the 30-30 rule. If you count 30 seconds or less between lightning and thunder, seek shelter. Remain sheltered for 30 minutes after the last thunder.

Myth: The rubber soles of shoes or rubber tires on a car will protect you from being struck by lightning.

Fact: Rubber-soled shoes and rubber tires provide no protection from lightning. The lightning strike between the cloud, and the ground has potentially traveled thousands of metres through thin air; rubber soled footwear or tires are inconsequential. However, the metal shell of a car provides a pathway for the lightning strike to flow around the vehicle provided the car has a hardtop metal roof (not a convertible). Although such vehicles do not offer you absolute protection from lightning, you and others are much safer inside with your hands on your lap than outside during lightning.

Myth: People struck by lightning carry an electrical charge and should not be touched.

Fact: Lightning-strike victims carry no electrical charge and should be attended to immediately.

Myth: "Heat-lightning" occurs after hot summer days and poses no threat.

Fact: "Heat-lightning" is actually lightning from a thunderstorm too far away for thunder to be heard. However, the storm may be moving in your direction. On some occasions lightning from a line of thunderstorms may remain mostly aloft and not touch the ground, but this situation can change rapidly and you should seek shelter immediately when lightning is present.