SHMU: Probability of Tornadoes in Slovakia Low Enough to be Overlooked by Some

Bratislava, June 27 (TASR) - The probability of tornadoes in Slovakia is so low that the majority of the population considers them impossible, TASR was told by Miroslav Singer of the Slovak Hydrometeorological Institute on Sunday. Singer believes that low-intensity tornadoes might have hit Slovakia before but only outside of populated areas. According to the meteorologist, the odds of a supercell thunderstorm developing into a tornado in Slovakia stand at about 5 percent. Tornado causes injuries mostly to the people who fail to estimate safe distance from them. Singer explained that the tornado moves at high velocities and hurls debris around, which is the most likely cause of injuries. Seeing as stronger tornadoes can tear entire walls asunder, people should seek shelter under staircases, in cellars or in smaller rooms in the centre of a house. "If a side wall of a house collapses, people can still stay out of harm's way there," said the meteorologist. In case of multi-floor buildings, it's best to find shelter in lowest floor rooms. The ultimately safest approach is to maintain a distance of at least one kilometre from the tornado, he added. mf