TORNADO AWARENESS AND DRILL DAY

WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2008

 

Tornadoes...What Are They?

 

Nature’s Most Violent Storms!

A TORNADO is a violently rotating column of air extending from the base of the thunderstorm and in contact with the ground (when it is not in contact with the ground, it is called a FUNNEL CLOUD).  Tornado winds average 100 mph, but can exceed 300 mph.  The strongest tornadoes develop from severe thunderstorms in atmospheric conditions with a strong jet stream.  Severe thunderstorms and tornadoes occur most often in the South in the months of March, April, and May.  A secondary season occurs in the late Fall, typically November and December.  Most tornadoes occur in the afternoon and evening.  However, tornadoes have occurred in every hour of the day and night and every month of the year.   No location, time of day, or time of year is immune to

tornado occurrences.

 

Your Safety will improve if you stay alert to the risk of tornadoes from thunderstorms that

approach.  This is especially true if a TORNADO WATCH is in effect. Conditions should be

carefully monitored when severe thunderstorms are occurring, or are expected to occur.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Know the difference between a

 

TORNADO WATCH

and a

TORNADO WARNING.

 

A TORNADO WATCH means tornadoes may develop, so keep an eye to the sky for thunderstorms and the dangers they pose.  Listen to NOAA Weather Radio, commercial radio, or TV for weather statements or warnings.  A WATCH allows time to plan what to do if a tornado approaches.  A watch usually spans several thousand square miles, and can cover parts of more than one state.

 

A TORNADO WARNING

means a tornado has been sighted, or is

indicated on weather radar.

 

Persons in the path of the tornado should seek shelter immediately

EF-Scale         Speed

 

EF0 (weak)      65-85 mph

 

EF1 (weak)      86-110 mph

 

EF2 (strong)   111-135 mph

 

EF3 (strong)   136-165 mph

 

EF4 (violent)    166-200 mph

 

EF5 (extreme) >200 mph

                                    Damage Threat

 

Light damage...shallow rooted trees pushed over.

 

Moderate damage...mobile homes overturned; roof surfaces peeled off.

 

Considerable damage...large trees uprooted...mobile homes destroyed

 

Severe damage...trains overturned; well built homes lose roofs and walls

 

Devastating damage...well built homes leveled; cars tossed about

 

Incredible damage...well built homes disintegrate; cars thrown.

Enhanced Fujita Intensity Scale (EF Scale)

Dr. T. Fujita, was the noted meteorologist who has studied tornadoes extensively and classified the damage created by these storms and developed the original Fujita Scale back in 1971.