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Fujita Tornado Damage Scale
Developed by Dr. T. Theodore Fujita at the University of Chicago in 1971
| Scale |
Estimated Wind Speeds |
Typical Damage |
| F0 |
< 73 mph |
Light Damage
Some damage to chimneys; branches broken off trees; shallow-rooted trees pushed over; sign boards damaged. |
| F1 |
73-112 mph |
Moderate Damage
Peels surface off roofs; mobile homes pushed off foundations or overturned; moving cars blown off roads. |
| F2 |
113-157 mph |
Considerable Damage
Roofs torn off frame houses; mobile homes demolished; boxcars overturned; large trees snapped or uprooted; light-object missiles generated; cars lifted off ground. |
| F3 |
158-206 mph |
Severe Damage
Roofs and some walls torn off well-constructed houses; trains overturned; most trees in forest uprooted; heavy cars lifted off the ground and thrown. |
| F4 |
207-260 mph |
Devastating Damage
Well-constructed houses leveled; structures with weak foundations blown away some distance; cars thrown and large missiles generated. |
| F5 |
261-318 mph |
Incredible Damage
Strong frame houses leveled off foundations and swept away; automobile-sized missiles fly through the air in excess of 100 meters (109 yards); trees debarked; incredible phenomena will occur. |
Note: The current Fujita Scale will be retired in February, 2007 in favor of an enhanced Fujita Scale system. More information about the Enhanced F-Scale can be found at this Storm Prediction Center web page.
Note: F-scale winds should not be taken literally. The precise wind speeds used in the scale are estimates only and have never been scientifically verified. Different wind speeds may cause similar-looking damage from place to place and even building to building. A thorough engineering analysis would be needed to verify actual wind speeds.
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