disaster life_threatening ai_generated true

AI advises closing all interior doors during a hurricane to prevent wind damage

ID: disaster/hurricane-close-interior-doors-myth

Also available as: JSON · Markdown · 中文
87%Fix Rate
83%Confidence
1Evidence
2024-08-01First Seen

Version Compatibility

VersionStatusIntroducedDeprecatedNotes
NHC Hurricane Guide 2024 active — — —
FEMA P-804 4th Ed active — — —

Root Cause

Closing interior doors can create pressure differentials that cause the roof to lift off or walls to blow out; it also blocks escape routes if the structure fails.

generic

中文

关闭内门可能造成压力差，导致屋顶被掀起或墙壁被吹倒；如果结构失效，还会阻塞逃生路线。

Official Documentation

https://www.weather.gov/safety/hurricane

Workarounds

  1. 90% success Leave interior doors open and brace exterior doors; shelter in a small interior room (e.g., bathroom) with no windows, and close that door only. 
    Leave interior doors open and brace exterior doors; shelter in a small interior room (e.g., bathroom) with no windows, and close that door only.
  2. 85% success Use plywood or storm shutters on windows; do not rely on interior doors for structural integrity. 
    Use plywood or storm shutters on windows; do not rely on interior doors for structural integrity.

中文步骤

  1. 保持内门打开并加固外门；在没有窗户的小内室（如浴室）避难，只关闭那扇门。
  2. 在窗户上使用胶合板或风暴百叶窗；不要依赖内门提供结构完整性。

Dead Ends

Common approaches that don't work:

  1. 85% fail

    Thinking that doors act as windbreaks; interior doors are not structural and can become projectiles.

  2. 80% fail

    Believing that closing doors prevents pressure buildup; the opposite occurs, increasing roof uplift.

  3. 75% fail

    Assuming that sealed rooms are safer; they trap occupants and hinder rescue.