A tornado in Zhejiang province, China, lifted a car off a highway and threw it into the air [1, 2].
The incident highlights the extreme volatility of weather patterns in the region and the sudden risks posed to motorists on open roadways.
Footage captured by a dashcam shows the vehicle being picked up by strong winds as it traveled along a highway near the city of Haining [1, 2]. The tornado's force was sufficient to launch the car completely off the pavement before it crashed [1, 2].
Zhejiang province is located in eastern China and often experiences significant weather events during the spring months. The event took place in April 2024 [2].
Local authorities and weather services typically warn drivers to seek immediate shelter when tornado warnings are issued. Vehicles are not considered safe shelters during such events, often becoming projectiles themselves when wind speeds reach critical levels [1, 2].
The video of the crash circulated widely on social media, providing a visual record of the tornado's power in a populated transit corridor [1].
“A tornado in Zhejiang province, China, lifted a car off a highway and threw it into the air.”
This event underscores the danger of 'vehicle-borne' debris during tornadic activity. Because cars can be lofted by high-velocity winds, the incident serves as a critical reminder that staying in a vehicle during a tornado is often more dangerous than seeking a permanent structure or low-lying ground.
