This goes back to when the original Fujita or "F" scale developed in 1971. Back then Dr. Fujita developed a means of rating the strength of tornado, in this scale he described 6 basic damage levels (mostly based on damage to houses) from F0 to F5 with accompanying wind speed ranges. Simplified, they are as follows
F0: minor roof and siding damage
F1: severe roof damage
F2: roof torn off
F3: walls collapse
F4: entire house collapses
F5: entire house blown away
Fujita also defined wind values for levels F6 to F12 to correlate wind speed with mach number, but since F5 (complete destruction) is the most severe damage possible these levels were never used, leaving F5 as the highest real rating. The reason the damage levels were defined as F0 to F5 rather than F1 to F6 was likely for two reasons: F0 winds were set at below hurricane force, and our number system is partially based on 5.
When the Enhanced Fujita scale was put into effect in 2007 it carried over essentially the same ratings and damage levels with adjusted wind ranges. Since the F6 and higher ratings were never used, they were simply dropped without a mention.
So if you find that a tornado has been officially rated EF5, it means that well-built structures were completely obliterated.
The highest strength rating a tornado can receive is EF5. Areas impacted by the full force of an EF5 tornado will experience total destruction. Well-built houses will be wiped clean of their foundations, and steel reinforced structures will be leveled. The lowest strength rating a tornado can receive is EF0. An EF0 tornado can peel shingles from roofs, break tree branches, and knock down a few trees. Some very weak structures may be destroyed.
Tornadoes are rated on the Fujita scale, which goes from F0 at the weakest to F5 at the strongest (more recently on the Enhanced Fujita scale, EF0 to EF5) based on the severity of the damage they cause.
The strongest winds in a tornado can reach speeds of over 300 mph (480 km/h), typically found in the most destructive tornadoes known as EF5 tornadoes. These extremely high winds can cause significant damage to structures and landscapes in their path.
Damage from a tornado is typically measured using the Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale, which ranges from EF0 (weakest) to EF5 (strongest). This scale assesses tornado damage based on the estimated wind speeds and resultant destruction.
The intensity of a tornado is determined by damage. Damage is examined and the tornado's peak wind speed is estimated. This is used to rate it on the Enhanced Fujita Scale which ranges from EF0 as the weakest to EF5 as the strongest.
The Greensburg tornado was an EF5, the strongest category of tornado.
No. EF5 is the strongest tornado on the Enhanced Fujita and therefore the most dangerous type.
No, Colorado has never recorded an F5 or EF5 tornado, the strongest was an F4. The largest tornado (by path width) on record in Colorado was rated EF3.
EF5. These tornadoes bring complete incredible destruction.
Yes. There are six strength categories of tornado on the Enhanced Fujita scale ranging from EF0 at the weakest to EF5 at the strongest.
The highest strength rating a tornado can receive is EF5. Areas impacted by the full force of an EF5 tornado will experience total destruction. Well-built houses will be wiped clean of their foundations, and steel reinforced structures will be leveled. The lowest strength rating a tornado can receive is EF0. An EF0 tornado can peel shingles from roofs, break tree branches, and knock down a few trees. Some very weak structures may be destroyed.
There is no set upper limit for an EF5 tornado. Any tornado with estimated winds in excess of 200 mph is considered an EF5.
it depends on the EF rating and how long a tornado lasts for . When there is an EF5 tornado the strongest type just about every building it touches is destroyed
The strongest tornado in the Fujita scale is F5.
No. Florida has never recorded an F5 or EF5 tornado.
The strongest category of tornado is EF5 (F5 in countries that still use the original Fujita scale). However, although these tornadoes are the strongest they are not always the largest. In fact, for nine years the largest tornado on record, which hit Hallam, Nebraska on May 22, 2004 was an F4. Though weaker than an F5 this is still and extremely powerful tornado. This was later surpassed by the El Reno, Oklahoma tornado of May 31, 2013, which was rated EF5.
No, fortunately I have not seen an EF5 tornado, that is in real life So, Yeah