Tornadoes

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Tornadoes

• BY AMBER URECHEEDU 290 TUESDAY 400

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What is a Tornado?

• A tornado is defined as a violently rotating
  column of air extending from a thunderstorm to
  the ground.

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How does a tornado work?

• A tornado acts like a giant vacuum cleaner,
  sucking in air near the ground.
• Storms rotation twists tornados winds. Dust and
  debris darken the base of the funnel.
• Large hale often falls near tornadoes.

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Tornado Alley

• Tornadoes are produced inside powerful
  thunderstorms, which in turn are created near the
  junction between warm, moist air and cold, dry
  air.

• Tornadoes are most common in "Tornado Alley,"
  shown on the
• map, particularly in spring and summer. They're
  also relatively
• common in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia,
  Illinois, Indiana, Iowa,
• Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri,
  Nebraska, Oklahoma, South
• Dakota, and Texas.

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Where did they hit?

• The deadly storms made their way through the
  states of Ohio, Tennessee, Virginia, Alabama,
  Pennsylvania, North and South Carolina.
• 35 deaths occurred along with many injuries.

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How are tornadoes classified?

• The scale researchers use to classify tornadoes
  is called the Fujita Scale.
• The scale is based on the amount and type of wind
  damage that was done by the tornado.
• The Fujita Scale uses numbers 0 through 5.

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The Fujita Scale

• F-0. Light damage. Wind up to 72 mph.
• F-1. Moderate damage. Wind 73 to 112 mph.
• F-2. Considerable damage. Wind 113 to 157 mph.
• F-3. Severe damage. Wind 158 to 206 mph.
• F-4. Devastating damage. Wind 207 to 260 mph.
• F-5. Incredible damage. Wind above 261 mph.

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Fujita Scale
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Tornado Safety
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Tornado warning vs Tornado watch

• Tornado Watch -- Tornadoes are possible. Stay
  tuned to the radio or television news.
• Tornado Warning -- A tornado has been sighted.
  Take shelter immediately!

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Before a Tornado

• Plan what to do in the event of a watch or
  warning
• Purchase a weather radio
• Designate a tornado shelter and route to it.

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During a Tornado

• Own a radio or television to hear warnings
• Go to a basement or lowest level of building
• Stay away from wide open spaces, put arms over
  neck and head

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After a Tornado

• Check on family members and everyone around you
• Listen to local officials, and emergency
  management personnel
• Stay away from downed power lines and other
  harmful debris

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