Tornadoes

Yes. In most cases a warning is issued before a tornado strikes.

Yes. EF5 is the highest and most destructive category on the Enhanced Fujita scale. Fortunately they are also very rare. Since the scale was adopted in 2007 there have been nine tornadoes rated EF5.

The Super Outbreak of 1974 was caused by a powerful low pressure system that move across the United States. The counterclockwise movement of air around the system pulled warm, moist air from the Gulf of Mexico and cool air over the U.S., forcing the cooler air mas into the warm one, generating a cold front. This collision of air masses generated strong thunderstorms that were fueled by the warm air. At the same time strong upper level winds created wind shear, which set the thunderstorms rotating, allowing them to produce tornadoes. This is hoe many tornado outbreak play out, only this time these conditions were especially ideal for the formation of long-lived, violent tornadoes.

A tornado causes damage by generating very high winds that can rip buildings apart and hurl debris at high speeds, resulting in destruction. Additionally, the twisting motion of a tornado can cause structures to collapse or be lifted off their foundations.

It varies quite a bit. The average warning time is about 15 minutes.

For the most part they live just as other people do. Even in tornado Alley the Chance of being killed or suffering significant property damage are low. Additionally, there is no place that is without its dangers. People in tornado-prone areas have to deal with tornadoes, people in some big cities have to deal with high crime rates, and many Californians have to deal with wildfires and earthquakes.

98% of tornadoes can be ridden out in a sturdy building in an interior room. If the tornado is F4-F5, unless you're in a reinforced storm cellar, (gasp!) you're a goner. But keep in mind the odds of that happening are extremely low.

People go to basements, cellars or safe rooms!!!

when there is a severe thunderstorm

You need. to go as low as you can. The safest place in your home is the basement. Go as low as you can and cover your head. Try to put yourself under a table and hang on so the tornado does not pull you away. Always be safe!

Yes, on average an F2 tornado injures only 1 or 2 people

Tornadoes come in more than two shapes.

Common shapes include elephant trunk (the classic "tornado" shape), rope, cone, stovepipe, and wedge (appears wide then the height of the clouds)

No. In dry, dusty conditions you may see whirlwinds called dust devils. Dust devils are not tornadoes, though they may look somewhat like them. They are usually harmless.

Tornadoes require thunderstorms in order to form, so you are actually less likely to see tornadoes during a drought than at other times.

Tornadoes happen every year.

95% of the town was completely destroyed and the other 5% was severely damaged. The cost of damage was $250 million.

Waterspouts are sometimes called "water tornadoes."

In terms of wind speed, Yes.

A tornado is usually rotating at about over 70 mph, but wind speeds can exceed 300 mph, though tornadoes this strong are extremely rare. But even then 20% of tornadoes have winds in excess of 110 mph.

In terms of forwards speed generally not. The average tornado travels at 35 mph, the fastest recorded traveled at 73mph. However, these speeds are still fast and the path of a tornado is difficult or impossible to predict, making it unwise to attempt to outrun a tornado.

Yes! That is how over 100 people die each year!

If in a house or apartment:

Head for the basement. If your house or complex doesn't have one get to the lowest floor and find a small room in the center part of the building without windows. A bathroom and especially a bathtub often provides good shelter.

If in a mobile home or trailer: abandon the mobile home and seek a more substantial structure. Follow the instructions above.

If in a car: abandon the vehicle and seek shelter in a building. If there are no buildings in the area take cover in a ditch. Do NOT seek shelter under a bridge.

Countless people have survived tornadoes. Thousands survived tornadoes in 2011 alone. In almost all cases more people will survive a tornado that be killed by it.

Some notable survivors of tornadoes include Matt Suter, who was carried 1300 feet by a tornado in Missouri in 2006, the farthest a person has been carried by a tornado and survived. Rock legend Elvis Presley, at the time only a toddler, survived the Tupelo, Mississippi tornado of 1936, the 4th deadliest tornado in U.S. history. A young Thomas P. Grazulis survived the Worcester, Massachusetts tornado of 1953, the 20th deadliest in the U.S. He would grow up to be one of the foremost experts on historic tornadoes.

the tornado does not help people because it cant stop and take care of you right so a tornado does not help people

Tornadoes can damage or destroy farm buildings such as barns, outbuildings, and farmhouses. Even weak tornadoes can toppled fences. Storage tanks are often overturned. In some cases farms have been completely obliterated. Crops can also suffer significant damage with plants being broken or blown away. Livestock may be injured or killed.

All states in the Midwest get tornadoes on a regular basis.