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There are two basic ways in which tornadoes cause damage. First, the wind in a tornado carries an enormous amount of force, which can damage tor destroy structures and vegetation. Second, debris carried by a tornado can cause significant damage on impact.

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How are tornadoes rated for size and strength?

Tornadoes are rated based on the severity of the damage they cause, which is used to estimated wind speed. Although strong tornadoes tend to be larger, size is not an actual factor in rating tornadoes.


Why do some tornadoes cause more damage than others?

Tornadoes vary greatly in intensity and there is in fact a scale that uses the severity of damage to determine intensity. Winds can range anywhere from 65 mph to over 300 mph. Most tornadoes are rated EF0, with estimated winds of 65 to 85 mph. These tornadoes cause some damage to roofs, gutters, and siding, as well as breaking tree limbs and toppling weakly-rooted trees. Somewhat fewer tornadoes are rated EF1, with estimated winds of 86 to 110 mph. These tornadoes can badly damage roofs, flip over trailers, and break windows. Stronger tornadoes are rated EF2, with estimated winds of 111 to 135 mph. These tornadoes tear the roofs from houses, completely destroy trailers and lift cars off the ground. A small percentage of tornadoes are rated EF3, with estimated winds of 136 to 165 mph. These tornadoes tear down the walls of houses, and uproot most trees, reducing the largest branches to stubs. About 1% of tornadoes are rated EF4, with estimated winds of 166 to 200 mph. These tornadoes level houses, leaving piles of debris, strip the bark from trees and can even damage road surfaces. Less that 0.1% of tornadoes are rated EF5 with winds of over 200 mph, sometimes exceeding 300mph. These tornadoes can destroy almost anything. Well-built houses are torn clean off their foundations. Even two tornadoes of the same rating can cause different amounts of damage, depending on how much of the path experiences the strongest winds. Additionally tornadoes vary in size and how far they travel. A large, and long lived tornado is going to affect a much larger area than a brief, small tornado and probably cause more damage. Where they occur also affects the damage. A tornado that goes over open farmland will cause more damage than one that goes through a city or town.


Tornado cause damage because they cause homes and buildings to cave on the winds true or false?

False. Tornadoes cause damage primarily through their high winds and flying debris. The rotation of the tornado can produce strong winds that can easily rip roofs off buildings or collapse walls, but they do not directly cause homes and buildings to cave in.


What is similar between a thunderstorm and a tornado?

Both thunderstorms and tornadoes are severe weather events that are capable of producing strong winds and heavy rain. They are both associated with thunder and lightning, and can cause damage to structures and the environment.


Are tornadoes constructive forces?

Tornadoes are typically categorized as destructive forces due to the damage they cause to structures and landscapes. They can uproot trees, destroy buildings, and create widespread devastation in their paths. However, in some cases, tornadoes can contribute to the natural ecosystem by dispersing seeds and nutrients and promoting ecological succession.

Related Questions

What damage can tornadoes cause?

There are two basic ways in which tornadoes cause damage. First, the wind in a tornado carries an enormous amount of force, which can damage tor destroy structures and vegetation. Second, debris carried by a tornado can cause significant damage on impact.


In what 2 ways can a tornado cause damage?

Tornadoes cause damage through powerful winds which, on rare occasions, are strong enough to tear buildings from their foundations. Tornadoes also cause damage through the high-speed debris carried by the winds.


What does an tornado do that a earthquake does?

Both tornadoes and earthquakes can damage or destroy buildings and infrastructure and can kill and injure people. However they cause damage in different ways.


Do tornadoes cause damage?

Yes. Tornadoes cause damage ranging from minor damage to roofs and siding to the complete destruction of neighborhoods.


What are 3 ways in which a tornado can cause damage?

Tornadoes cause damage with their high winds, flying debris, and sometimes by toppling trees into buildings. Though you might think of the second and ther as the same.


What effects do tornadoes cause?

terrible damage or may cause death


How much damage can a tornado do money wise?

Most tornadoes that actually cause damage might do few thousand to a few hundred thousand dollars in damage. Some of stronger tornadoes may cause damage in the millions of dollars. The very worst of tornadoes can cause hundreds of millions of dollars in damage, on a few occasions damage costs have exceeded $1billion.


Are there any non threatening tornadoes?

No all tornadoes are a threat even weak tornadoes cause they all bring damage and an impact on humans even weak tornadoes cause somebody can die if there close to a weak tornado or a small object that can cause significant damage to humans


How is earth affected by tornadoes?

Tornadoes can cause catastrophic damage to vegetation and man-made structures.


Do tornadoes help?

No. Tornadoes are a force of destruction. Any small benefit from them is outweighed by the damage they cause.


Why are tornadoes to be feared?

Tornadoes are to be feared because they can cause major damage and can injure and kill people.


How destructive are tornadoes?

It varies, some tornadoes cause little or no damage. Others will cause moderate to cause heavy damage to most buildings. The very worst can obliterate entire neighborhoods and small towns.