How strong is an EF1 tornado?

Answer 1

There is no given size for an EF5 tornado as ratings are based on wind estimates derived from damage.

An EF5 tornado has estimated winds over 200 mph (322 km/h). Typical EF5 damage includes houses wiped clean off their foundations and large, well built structures completely leveled.

EF5 tornadoes have been recorded at sizes ranging from 60 yards (55 meters) to over 2 miles (3.2 kilometers) wide. Most EF5 tornadoes, though, are over 1/4 mile (0.4 kilometers) wide.

Answer 2

Not by tornado standards. The scale goes up to 5, with 5 being the strongest. EF0 tornadoes are considered weak with wind speeds of about 65-85mph. Such winds, though are considered quite strong by storm standards. EF0 winds can peel shingles, snap tree limbs, and topple loose objects. A person caught in such a tornado could easily be blown down.

Answer 3

It depends. An EF3 tornado can be quite destructive in some cases and a fair number are killers. A well built house that sustains EF3 damage will lose its roof and have numerous walls collapse. Houses that aren't well built may be completely leveled. Mobile homes, which can be easily destroyed even by EF2 winds don't stand a chance against the full force of an EF3. F3/EF3 tornadoes have had death tolls as high as 25 in recent years.

That said, in most cases only a small portion of the damage track actually experiences EF3 damage. It only takes one structure with EF3 damage to assign an EF3 rating, and such ratings can be assigned based on damage to trees and transmission towers.

Answer 4

Generally speaking, not much. EF0 damage consists of broken tree limbs, some downed trees, and peeled shingles and siding. Weak outbuildings may be destroyed. In some cases more severe damage can occur when trees fall on homes and vehicles.

Additionally, a tornado will be rated EF0 if it stays in open fields, causing no damage.

Answer 5

Estimated winds in an EF5 tornado are over 200 mph, and can exceed 300 mph. Damage associated with EF5 tornadoes includes well-constructed houses wiped clean off their foundations, debarked trees, asphalt peeled from roads, and topsoil scoured away.

Answer 6

An EF1 tornado estimated has winds of 86-110 mph. Such tornadoes can cause severe roof damage and destroy some weak man-made structures such as barns.