Tornadoes are rated from
F0 to F5 on the Fujita scale, based on wind speed and damage. The scale was
developed by Theodore Fujita of the University of Chicago.
_F0: Light
damage, wind under 73 mph. Some damage to chimneys, branches broken off trees,
shallow-rooted trees pushed over, sign boards damaged.
_F1: Moderate
damage, wind 73-112 mph. Surfaces peeled off roofs, mobile homes pushed off
foundations or overturned, moving autos blown off roads.
_F2: Considerable
damage, wind 113-157 mph. Roofs torn off frame houses, mobile homes demolished,
boxcars overturned, large trees snapped or uprooted, light objects become
missiles.
_F3: Severe
damage, wind 158-206 mph. Roofs and some walls torn off well-constructed houses,
trains overturned, most trees in forest uprooted, heavy cars lifted off ground
and thrown.
_F4: Devastating
damage, wind 207-260 mph. Well-constructed houses leveled, structures with weak
foundations blown some distance, cars thrown, large missiles generated.
Last Updated: May 08, 2003