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EF4 and EF5 are ratings on the Enhanced Fujita scale, which uses damage done by a tornado to assign an intensity rating. The scale runs from EF0 to EF5. EF4 and EF5 are the two highest ratings indicating a violent tornado. An EF4 tornado has peak estimated winds of 166-200 mph. Such tornadoes level well-built houses and can strip the bark from trees. EF5, the highest rating, is assigned only to the most powerful of tornadoes with estimated winds over 200 mph, with some having winds in excess of 300 mph. Tornadoes of this strength wipe well-built houses clean off their foundations, completely blowing them away.

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What percent of all tornadoes earn a violent ranking on the fujita scale?

Less than 1% of tornadoes earn a violent rating (F4 or F5) on the Fujita Scale. The same applies the the Enhanced Fujita scale with EF4 and EF5 tornadoes.


How bad can tornadoes get what category?

The highest rating a tornado can attain is EF5. Tornadoes this strong will wipe well-constructed houses clean off their foundations. Tornadoes rated EF4 and EF5 are often quite large and can completely destroy towns and neighborhoods.


What is an EF4 tornado?

The Enhanced Fujita Scale is a system of rating tornadoes based on damage. It goes from EF0 to EF5. EF4 is the second strongest category on the scale, with estimated winds of 166 to 200 mph. An EF4 tornado causes devastating damage. Trees are stripped of their bark and well-built houses are leveled. Houses that are not well-built may be swept away.


What are the 3 general categories of tornadoes?

Tornadoes are sometimes divided into "weak" tornadoes "strong" and "violent" tornadoes. Weak tornadoes are those rated EF0 and EF1. Most tornadoes are weak. Strong tornadoes are those rated EF2 and EF3. Violent tornadoes are those rated EF4 and EF5. They are the rarest of tornadoes, only about 1% of tornadoes are this strong.


Was the tornado that hit Tuscaloosa Alabama in 2011 an F5?

No. The Tuscaloosa tornado of 2011 was a high-end EF4. According to the survey results published from the National Weather Service the winds in that tornado fell about 10 mph short of an EF5. Interestingly, one article suggests that had the Tuscaloosa tornado occurred before the Enhanced Fujita scale was implemented in 2007 it would likely have been rated F5. However, the newer scale has more precise standards for ratings, and, by the slimmest of margins this tornado did not meet the EF5 standard. Looking at what this storm did, it was about as bad as a tornado can get without being an EF5. 4 other tornadoes that occurred on the same day were rated EF5.

Related Questions

What does an EF4 and EF5 tornado look like?

There is no given appearance for a tornado of any given rating, though EF4 and EF5 tornadoes tend to be very large, typically taking on the appearance of large wedges or columns, but not always. If there is enough visibility an EF4 or EF5 tornado will often show very violent rotation.


Which are the most destructive tornadoes?

EF4 and EF5 are destructive with EF4 winds up to 166-200 and EF5 over 200mph destructive tornadoes like these can level houses and even completely blow them away.


What happens if there is a super tornado?

If by a super tornado you mean an EF4 or EF5 buildings will be completely destroyed, some completely blown away.


What type of tornadoes are responsible for the most deaths?

mostly an EF5 tornado and sometimes EF3 or EF4 tornadoes


Is there any extreme tornadoes?

It depends on what you mean by extreme. Tornadoes of EF4 and EF5 tornadoes, however are often referred to as violent tornadoes. These account for about 1% of all tornadoes.


Is there the potential for violent tornadoes tomorrow for April 14th 2012 EF4?

Yes. The outlook for April 14, 2012 mentioned some risk for violent tornadoes, referring to tornadoes of EF4 and EF5 intensity.


What is the difference between a strong and a violent tornado?

A strong tornado is one that is EF2 or stronger. A violent tornado is one that is EF4 or EF5.


What category is a 200 mile per hour tornado?

On the Ehnahnced Fujita scale, 200 mph is a borderline EF4/EF5 tornado.


How many of each type of tornadoes occurred in 2011?

If by type you mean rating, then the numbers are as follows: EF0: 759 EF1: 617 EF2: 195 EF3: 61 EF4: 17 EF5: 6


What damage does an EF4 and an EF5 do?

EF4 damage consists of well-built houses being completely leveled. Some houses, usually with weaker connections to their foundations may be blown off their foundations. Bark will be stripped from trees. Roads that are not well maintained may have sections of asphalt peeled away. EF5 damage consists of very well constructed houses being swept off their foundations. Sections of topsoil may be scoured away. Because both levels of damage deal with structures that are completely destroyed, it is often difficult to tell the difference between EF4 and EF5 damage. Of all distinctions between tornado ratings, this is the most difficult to determine. Note that in either case, only a small protion of the damage path of a tornado will suffer the maximum degree of damage. It only takes one instance of EF5 damage to rate a tornado EF5, and likewise for an EF4 rating.


What force of tornado causes a car to move several blocks over?

That would normally take an EF5 tornado though it has been seen on occasion in EF4 tornadoes. If this is a recent incident it is more likely that it was an EF4 as only three F5/EF5 tornadoes have occurred in recent years. In Greensburg, Kansas and Elie, Manitoba in 2007 and Parkersburg, Iowa in 2008.


Can a tornado take a whole house away?

Yes, a house can be completely swept off its foundation by an EF4 or EF5 tornado depending on how well built it is.