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Localized, sudden, and devastating, tornadoes can strike any time of year. In a matter of minutes an entire community can be destroyed. Since 2001, there has been an average of 1,200 tornadoes per year in the United States. While the majority are concentrated in "Tornado Alley," tornadoes can occur in all states, any day of the year. On average, tornadoes are responsible for 60 deaths per year and millions of dollars in damage.

The Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale

The Enhanced Fujita Scale has been used by the National Weather Service in storm damage assessment since February 2007. With 28 damage indicators, it conforms more accurately to current building materials and techniques than the original F-scale developed by Dr. T. Fujita in 1971. Remember: the size of a tornado is not necessarily an indication of its intensity — large tornadoes can be weak, and small tornadoes can be violent.

View NOAA Tornado Statistics.

Tornado Safety

If weather conditions are favorable for tornadoes, a tornado watch is issued. If a tornado is spotted on the ground or indicated by Doppler Radar, a tornado warning is issued. When a tornado warning is issued, take appropriate shelter immediately:

1. In a sturdy structure: get to the basement or an internal room on the lowest floor, away from windows
2. In a mobile home: get to a sounder structure immediately — if no time, go to the center of the mobile home
3. In a public setting: listen to people in charge — they have a plan of action
4. In a car: get to a building away from the tornado. NEVER park or hide under a bridge overpass. If you cannot safely outrun a tornado, exit the vehicle and lie flat in a low spot
5. If outside and too far from a building: lie in a low ditch until the tornado has passed

After the tornado passes, remain calm, be aware of downed power lines, broken gas pipes, and unsound structures.

Tornado Resources

• FAQ About Tornadoes — NOAA Storm Prediction Center
• Tornado Tips and Recovery — Purdue University Extension
• Tornado/Storm Recovery — University of Missouri Extension
• Tornado Preparedness and Response — CDC
• NOAA nowCOAST — Real-time coastal observations
• NOAA Storm Prediction Center — Severe Weather Information