Unknown, very little was known about tornadoes at the time and we did not have the tools to measure or even estimate the winds.
However, the Tri-state tornado is believed to have been an F5, possibly with winds over 300mph.
As of February 8, 2012 the most recent tornado to be reported (and confirmed in this case) was an EF1 near De Ridder, Louisiana on February 4.
have not been found
As of August 22, 2013 the most recent killer tornado was an EF1 in Iowa on June 24. One person was killed.
It depends on how strong the tornado is. If its a weak tornado then most likely it can not, but if it's a very strong tornado it is very possible that it can.
A strong tornado is one that is EF2 or stronger. A violent tornado is one that is EF4 or EF5.
Yes, especially if it is a strong tornado.
The strong wind in a tornado is the source of its destructive potential.
January 21st 2010
The latest town to be devastated is Springfield, Massachusetts which was recently hit by an EF3 tornado that killed 3 and injured about 200. However, this tornado season (2011) is not our deadliest. In 2011 the U.S. has had 553 tornado fatalities. This takes second place to the 794 tornado deaths in 1925.
The Hallam, Nebraska tornado was rated F4
A typical tornado is probably a strong EF0 or EF1.
If you can see the tornado, strong tornadoes tend to be relatively wide, though not always. Additionally you can see the rotation in a tornado. If it is rotating very rapidly then it is probably strong. However, rotation that appears slower does not necessarily mean a weak tornado. Winds nearer the center or in subvortices hidden within the funnel may still be in the range of a strong to violent tornado.