What Is a Tornado?

9/23/2020 (Permalink)

What Is a Tornado?

Tornadoes are categorized by the Fujita scale. They typically occur in the spring and summer months, but can occur at any time in any part of the country. Tornadoes are sometimes spawned by hurricanes.

Category / Typical Damage

F0 Light: Chimneys are damaged, tree branches are broken, shallow-rooted trees are toppled. F1 Moderate: Roof surfaces are peeled off, windows are broken, some tree trunks are snapped, unanchored mobile homes are overturned, attached garages may be destroyed. F2 Considerable: Roof structures are damaged, mobile homes are destroyed, debris becomes airborne (missiles are generated), large trees are snapped or uprooted. F3 Severe: Roofs and some walls are torn from structures, some small buildings are destroyed, non-reinforced masonry buildings are destroyed, most trees in forest are uprooted. F4 Devastating: Well-constructed houses are destroyed, some structures are lifted from foundations and blown some distance, cars are blown some distance, large debris becomes airborne. F5 Incredible: Strong frame houses are lifted from foundations, reinforced concrete structures are damaged, automobile-sized missiles become airborne, trees are completely debarked.

https://www.fema.gov/pdf/library/ism2.pdf

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