The Fujita Scale is used to categorize the amount of damage that can be expected from tornadoes of varying strengths. Destruction increases as numbers advance from F0 through F5.
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F0 Light
Chimneys are damaged, tree branches are broken, shallow-rooted trees are toppled. |
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F1 Moderate
Roof surfaces are peeled off, windows are broken, some tree trunks are snapped, unanchored mobile homes are overturned, attached garages may be destroyed. |
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F2 Considerable
Roof structures are damaged, mobile homes are destroyed, debris becomes airborne, large trees are snapped or uprooted. |
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F3 Severe
Roofs and some walls are torn from structures, some small buildings are destroyed, non-reinforced masonry buildings are destroyed, most trees in forest are uprooted. |
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F4 Devastating
Well-constructed houses are destroyed, some structures are lifted from foundations and blown some distance, cars are blown some distance, large debris becomes airborne. |
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F5 Incredible
Strong frame houses are lifted from foundations, reinforced concrete structures are damaged, automobile-sized missiles become airborne, trees are completely debarked. |
Saffir Simpson Scale, Photos of Hurricane Damage
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Photos & Definitions
Courtesy of FEMA
F0, F1 & F2 Photos by Andrew Devanas
F3, F4 & F5 Photos by NOAA