Stairs are generally designed to support significant weight and should not collapse during a tornado unless they are structurally compromised or poorly constructed. However, the primary concern during a tornado is flying debris and wind, which can cause damage to a home. It's advisable to seek shelter in a basement or an interior room away from windows rather than relying on stairs for safety during such an event. Always prioritize finding a secure location to protect yourself from the storm.
Get into a hallway or bathroom way from windows. A gymnasium can be a dangerous place during a tornado as the long span roof and tall walls can collapse.
The safest place to be in a tornado is in an underground storm cellar. You are protect from the wind an debris by the ground itself, and there is not structure above you that might collapse.
Yes. Buildings and homes can collapse in a tornado. One common way this happens is the roof comes off, causing the walls to become unstable. Depending on the strength of the structure this would take and EF2 or EF3 tornado for partial collapse, and likely an EF4 for complete collapse. In an extremely powerful tornado such as a high EF4 or EF5 houses are blown away rather than collapse. Weak tornadoes usually do not cause significant structural damage.
In a hallway the there is no large span of ceiling that is not supported by a way and because of this the ceiling is less likely to collapse. Additionally, many hallways are windowless, and broken glass from windows and be a major hazard during a tornado.
No. Though a very strong tornado might cause it to collapse.
Tornadoes cannot collapse in on themselves. In many cases a tornado will become much narrower as it enters its dissipating stage, and is said to be "roping out." During this stage the winds in the tornado may actually speed up as angular momentum is conserved. It is still considered a tornado until it dissipates completely.
Seeking shelter under the stairs during a tornado is generally not recommended as it may not provide adequate protection from flying debris and collapsing structures. It is safer to go to a specially designed storm shelter or a small interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building.
No. A skyscraper is far to heavy. However, an EF5 tornado may cause a skyscraper to collapse.
No, a culvert is not a safe place to hide from a tornado. Culverts can easily flood during storms, trap you inside, or collapse under the force of the tornado. It is best to seek a sturdier shelter like a basement, storm cellar, or designated tornado shelter.
Depending on the intensity of the tornado some of the large buildings may be badly damaged or even collapse. The tornado itself would not be weakened.
In a weak tornado windows may break, creating the hazard of broken glass. Trees can fall into houses. In a stronger tornado the roof may be torn off, exposing the inside of the house and possibly causing walls to collapse. Weaker houses may collapse or shift off their foundations. A violent tornado can level most homes and in some cases completely blow them away. As intensity increases, the potential for flying debris does as well.
More injuries and deaths during a tornado are typically caused by factors such as flying debris, which can strike individuals and cause severe trauma. Additionally, many people underestimate the tornado's severity or fail to seek shelter promptly, leading to exposure to hazardous conditions. Poor building structures can also collapse under the tornado's winds, trapping or injuring occupants. Lastly, lack of preparedness and awareness can hinder effective response during such emergencies.