Since 1971, the Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale has been used to determine the intensity of tornadoes. No matter how intense a tornado is, it’s important that you have a safe place to go in order to protect yourself and your family. At FamilySAFE we build study above-ground tornado shelters that are tested and proven to withstand the strongest of storms. If you are interested in knowing more about the Enhanced Fujita Scale and how it rates different tornadoes, keep on reading to learn more! Visit our shelters page to learn more about how to protect yourself from inclement weather.
History of the Fujita Scale
Prior to the EF scale, the Fujita (F) scale was developed in 1971 by Dr. Tetsuya Theodore Fujita to help determine exactly how severe a tornado was after it has passed. Soon after its development, a forum of renowned meteorologists and wind engineers modified the scale to include damage indicators and take into account construction quality and visible damage to make a correlation between wind speed and damage caused by the storm to create the EF scale.
Used to Rate the Intensity of a Tornado
The EF scale utilizes different damage indicators — the intensity of the damage and the particular buildings or objects it damaged — and recorded wind speeds to determine the intensity of a tornado after it has passed through an area. There are 28 damage indicators with each number indicating what the tornado damaged on its path whether that be homes, office buildings, or hardwood trees. The visible damage combined with the structural integrity of what the tornado damaged aids in giving the storm a specific rating.
The EF Scale
The EF scale is comprised of five different ratings. Most people who have looked at tornado reports have seen this rating system, but the rating system goes from EF-1 through EF-5. EF-1 tornadoes are the least damaging and least threatening while EF-5 tornadoes are some of the most damaging storms that Mother Nature can produce. If you live in tornado country, you are probably used to seeing a few EF-4 or EF-5 tornadoes a year. If this is the case, you need a safe room to go to for protection. Our above-ground tornado shelters are tested and proven in the real world to survive in the midst of a barrelling EF-5 tornado.
How Wind Speeds Are Integrated into the EF System
One of the most important factors in rating a tornado is its measured wind speed. EF-1 tornadoes are categorized by three-second wind gusts of 65-85 mph while EF-5 tornadoes have sustained winds of 200+ mph. You can see why EF-5 tornadoes are significantly damaging to communities and why you need a safe room in the case of any tornado. Our storm shelters are designed to withstand EF-5 tornadoes without skipping a beat.
The EF rating system is the most widely used system in rating the damage done by tornadoes. If you live in an area of the US that is repeatedly hit by tornadoes, you need protection from the intensity of these storms. Our above-ground shelters provide you with all the protection you could need. Learn more about our tornado shelters today!