Types of Tornado Damage

Tornadoes are violent, unpredictable windstorms in which winds can reach up to 225 mph and devastate the areas through which they pass. Tornadoes are common in the central United States, in a vast area east of the Rocky Mountains and north of the Gulf of Mexico known as Tornado Alley. Many dangers are associated with tornadoes, both immediate and long-term, and anyone caught in a tornado should seek shelter below ground or in a concrete room away from windows until the storm has passed.

Wind Damage

• The strong winds present during a tornado can uproot trees and level buildings. Sudden changes in air pressure due to the force of moving air currents can shatter windows and stress structures such as homes and barns when the building expands or contracts. A tornado can tear the roof or entire stories from a building as it passes. Tornado-force winds can also cause phone, power and other utility lines to break and fall.

Damage From Debris

• Flying debris can destroy property and even kill people during a tornado. Even tiny objects such as pebbles or straw can penetrate much larger objects when speeding through the air, damaging buildings, automobiles and other structures.

High Speed Collisions and Impacts

• A person, animal or object can be swept through the air or over considerable distances along the ground by tornado winds. When caught in these winds, a collision with stationary objects or the ground is not only likely, but potentially fatal.

Long-Term Damage

• Even after a tornado has passed, there are dangers in its wake. Downed power lines can pose serious risks of electric shock and death. Bridges and other infrastructure may be weakened from wind damage or debris, and buildings may be unsafe to enter for the same reasons.