[VIDEO] Tourists Capture Terrifying Moment Tornado Wiped Down Trees in Belarus

On Aug. 2, a party of visitors in Belarus came dangerously near to being hit by a tornado as they drove through a wooded region.

The visitors were on their way to Polatsk, a city in the country's northwestern region approximately three hours from Minsk, the capital.

The stunning video was captured by Li Chao, a traveler who told Storyful that he and his friends are enjoying their summer holiday in Belarus. It shows the party driving along a tree-lined road as strong gusts and heavy rain intensify. As the storm worsens, trees farther down the road begin to fall one by one, almost effortlessly, and the driver puts the car into reverse.

Developing Storm

As the storm envelops Chao and his companions, who seek refuge in the vehicle, the probable tornado enters the frame, flinging leaves, sticks, and other debris at the car's glass. The storm's devastation is seen after it passes, with branches felled and still-gusty winds bending trees sideways.

According to information from the Belarusian government, the storm uprooted trees and destroyed roofs in the region, according to Storyful. However, there were no injuries recorded.

Unclear Video

Maura Kelly of AccuWeather said she couldn't tell if it was a tornado just by looking at the footage, but she did spot a whirling mesocyclone peeking over the tree line.

"A mesocyclone is a thunderstorm's rotating region that may create the most severe impacts, such as big hail, destructive winds, and tornadoes," Kelly explained.

Tornadoes in Europe

While tornadoes are more prevalent in the United States, severe thunderstorms and tornado conditions may be found throughout Europe, according to a 2014 research, with tornadoes documented in virtually every European country.

A powerful tornado ripped across the Czech Republic in July, killing six people. The tornado was eventually upgraded to an F4, making it the country's most violent tornado ever recorded.

The potential tornado that landed in Belarus did not appear to be quite as powerful. On Aug. 2, meteorologist Rob Richards stated the weather in Belarus was perfect for tornadoes and severe thunderstorms. On the other hand, volatile conditions were not prevalent enough to cause a significant outbreak of severe storms.

"However, this one incident was relatively localized," Richards explained, "since no big front or low-pressure system passed through the region."

What to Do During a Tornado?

Prepare a plan and an emergency package to be safe during a tornado, keep alert of weather conditions during thunderstorms, identify the best indoor and outdoor shelters, and always protect your head.

Every year, tornadoes wreak havoc on communities around the country, bringing enormous winds and damage in their wake.

The tornado season of 2020 took the lives of 76 people while injuring hundreds more. During the storm, 51% of the casualties were living in a mobile home or trailer park. The damage inflicted by these storms was in the billions of dollars.

During a tornado, there is no assurance of safety. Therefore, even the threat of a tornado should be taken seriously. Although the most powerful tornadoes may demolish and destroy nearly any structure and the people within, powerful EF5 tornadoes (those with wind speeds of 200 mph or more) are uncommon.

Tornadoes, in general, are significantly weaker. If you take the proper measures, you can survive a tornado.

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