LibGuides: Hurricane/ Severe Weather Preparedness: Tornadoes

In Case Of A Tornado

tornadoes. Go to an interior room on the lowest level of a sturdy shelter. The room should have no windows or outdoor facing walls if possible. Avoid large indoor rooms. Sheds, mobile homes, tents, and cars are not safe. If you have time, get to a sturdy building. If you cannot get to a sturdy building, seek shelter in a low lying ditch.

The Fujita Scale

EF0 - Light Damage Winds : 65-85 mph. Damage: Tree branches broken, power lines down, minor roof damage. EF1 - Moderate Damage. Winds : 86-100 mph. Damage: Roofs torn off homes, mobile homes rolled over. cars blown off roads, trees uprooted .EF2 - Considerable Damage.Winds : 111-135 mph. Damage: Cars lifted off the ground, mobile homes destroyed, light object missiles generatedEF3 - Severe Damage Winds : 136-165 mph. Damage: Trains overturned, entire homes and buildings destroyed EF4 - Devastating Damage Winds : 166-200 mph. Damage: Homes leveled, cars thrown around, large missiles generated EF5 - Incredible Damage Winds : > 200 mph. Damage: Entire towns and areas leveled

The Enhanced Fujita Scale or EF Scale, which became operational on February 1, 2007, is used to assign a tornado a 'rating' based on estimated wind speeds and related damage. The NWS is the only federal agency with authority to provide 'official' tornado EF Scale ratings.

Helpful Links

American Red Cross - Tornado Safety
CDC- Staying Safe in a Tornado
Ready.gov - Tornadoes