Likely the worst thing that a tornado could hit would be a nuclear power plant. The reactor core itself is strong enough to withstand even the most violent tornadoes, but as the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan showed, a disaster that takes out the support systems can lead to a meltdown.
Another nightmare scenario is the potential for a large, violent tornado to strike a major highway packed with rush hour traffic. In such a situation, people would be trapped in the tornado's path and cars offer little protection. Such a scenario could potentially result in hundreds or even thousands of deaths. Such an event almost occurred on May 31, 2013 when a 2.6-mile-wide tornado began to move along I-40 toward Oklahoma City. Fortunately the tornado dissipated before reaching heavy traffic, though 8 people, all in cars, still lost their lives.
Similar concerns exist for the potential for a tornado to strike a crowded venue such as a sports arena or a concert, where people would have little chance to get to safety. In 2008 a tornado struck the Georgia Dome in Atlanta during a Basketball game, but fortunately was not strong enough to cause major damage. In 2011 a severe thunderstorm struck the Indiana State Fair. Through no tornado occurred, a severe wind gust cause a stage to collapse, killing seven people and injuring many more.
Elementary schools are also a source of concern. Major tornadoes have struck schools before, killing students. Most recently, in 2013, an EF5 struck two elementary schools in Moore, Oklahoma. Seven 3rd graders were killed at one school. In 1987 a tornado destroyed a church that was holding a head-start graduation, killing 22 people. Most of the dead were parents shielding their children from the debris.
The worst thing is the damage caused by tornadoes. They can cause significant amounts of property damage as well as indirectly cause deaths by people getting struck by flying objects that have been damaged.
The worst tornado that is known to have been multiple vortex was the Tri-State tornado of March 18 1925. This was the worst tornado in U.S. history with a death toll of 695. At certain points along its path it was observed to have two or three funnels.
An EF2 tornado is fairly bad. Such a tornado can tear the roofs from most houses and destroy mobile homes.
The worst tornado in U.S. history was the Tri-State tornado of March 18, 1925. The tornado first formed north of Ellington, Missouri. The tornado devastated numerous towns in Missouri, Illinois, and Indiana along a path 219 miles long.
Tornadoes can destroy as much houses as it can depending on the length of their path. Most tornadoes are too weak to destroy houses, causing mostly superficial damage. However, in the works cases a tornado can destroy thousands of houses.
No. A tornado and a twister are the same thing. When two tornadoes meet, they merge into one.
The worst tornado was the Daulatpur-Salturia tornado in Bangladesh, it killed more than 1300 people but its intensity is unknown.
Yes. A tornado F3 or higher intensity could definitely destroy a mansion.
Most tornadoes do not kill and only cause minor to moderate damage. However, in the worst cases, a tornado can destroy entire towns and kill dozens. A few tornadoes have had death tolls in the hundreds.
Yes. In a strong enough tornado wind and debris carried by the wind can destroy houses.
In a violent tornado the worst features are flying debris and suction vortices, small whirlwinds that have stronger winds than the rest of the tornado.
Yes, tornadoes are not uncommon in that state. Illinois was actually the worst hit in the Tri-State tornado, the worst tornado in U.S. history.
The worst level of tornado that can strike is an EF5.
The worst tornado on record, the Daulatpur-Saturia tornado that hit Bangladesh on April 26, 1989 was definitely more severe than a typical tornado. This tornado killed 1,300 and left 80,000 homeless. The damage path was 50 miles long, compared with a mile or two for a typical tornado, and was probably much larger and stronger than a typical tornado as well, though no details on that information are available. A typical tornado does not kill and is not strong enough to destroy most homes, though it may be different in Bangladesh where many homes are poorly built.
Tornado Alley itself is not destructive, but the tornadoes that frequent it can be. The tornadoes in Tornado Alley destroy many homes each year.
Yes. A strong enough tornado can destroy just about any manmade structure. A tornado of high EF3 intensity or stronger should be enough.
On the traditional Fujita scale there is no such thing as an F9 tornado. On the TORRO scale used in Britain a T9 tornado is a very violent tornado equivalent to a strong F4 on the Fujita scale. Such a tornado will destroy most buildings in its path.