What is worse a tornado or a waterspout?

Answer 1

A tornado is generally worse. Fair-weather waterspouts, the most common variety, typically have winds equivalent to an EF0 tornado. Even then it doesn't make much a difference, since these waterspouts usually stay over open water and never cause any damage, though they can pose a hazard to small boats. If a waterspout moves onto land and causes damage, it is counter as a tornado.

There are exceptions, however. Tornadic waterspouts are ordinary tornadoes that just happen to be over water. If one moves onto land it will become a full-fledged tornado and can be just as damaging as a tornado that originates on land.

One of the worst cases was the Sandusky/Lorain tornado of June 28, 1924. This F4 tornado spent some time as a waterspout on Sandusky Bay and later on Lake Erie. During its time on land it devastated the cities of Lorain and Sandusky, killing 85 people. This marks it as the deadliest tornado in Ohio history.