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Hurricanes
can also produce tornadoes that add to the storm's destructive power. Tornadoes
are most likely to occur in the right-front quadrant of the hurricane.
However, they are also often found elsewhere embedded in the rainbands,
well away from the center of the hurricane.
Some
hurricanes seem to produce no tornadoes, while others develop multiple ones.
Studies have shown that more than half of the landfalling hurricanes produce
at least one tornado; Hurricane Buelah (1967) spawned 141 according to one study.
In general, tornadoes associated with hurricanes are less intense than those
that occur in the Great Plains (see the Enhanced Fujita
Intensity Scale from the Storm Prediction
Center's website).
Nonetheless, the effects of tornadoes, added to the larger area of hurricane-force
winds, can produce substantial damage.
We
have no way at present to predict exactly which storms will spawn tornadoes
or where they will touch down. The new Doppler radar systems have greatly improved
the forecaster's warning capability, but the technology usually provides lead
times from only a few minutes up to about 30 minutes. Consequently, preparedness
is critical.
Tornado
Facts
-
When
associated with hurricanes, tornadoes are not usually accompanied by hail
or a lot of lightning, clues that citizens in other parts of the country
watch for.
-
Tornado
production can occur for days after landfall when the tropical cyclone remnants
maintain an identifiable low pressure circulation.
-
They
can also develop at any time of the day or night during landfall. However,
by 12 hours after landfall, tornadoes tend to occur mainly during daytime
hours.
Fujita scale
The original Fujita scale (F-scale) was replaced with the Enhanced Fujita scale
on February 1, 2007. The Enhanced F-scale
still is a set of wind estimates (not measurements) based on damage. It uses three-second gusts estimated at the point of
damage based on a judgment of 8 levels of damage to 28 indicators. These estimates vary with height and
exposure. Important note: The 3 second gust is not the same wind as in standard surface observations. Standard measurements are
taken by weather stations in open exposures, using a directly measured, "one minute mile" speed. The scale uses
actual damage to determine a tornados wind speed.
Visit the Storm Prediction's Center website to view the new Enhanced Fujita scale.
RELATED
INFORMATION
TORNADO
SAFETY ACTIONS
HISTORIC
HURRICANES
RELATED
MULTIMEDIA
AGAINST
THE WIND (0.2mb )
RELATED
WEBSITES
STORM
PREDICTION CENTER
ADDITIONAL
SAFETY INFORMATION
Tornado Safety
Actions - Homes
- Monitor NOAA
Weather Radio.
- When a tornado
watch is issued, be prepared to take action.
- When a tornado
warning is issued, or a tornado is imminent, move to a small interior room
away from windows.
- Consider constructing
a tornado safe room in or adjacent to your home.
Tornado Safety
Actions - Mobile and Manufactured Homes
- Monitor NOAA
Weather Radio.
- Have a plan
of where to go during a tornado threata nearby pre-identified safe structure
within walking distance.
- When a tornado
watch is issued, be prepared to take action.
- When conditions
warrant, move to the pre-identified safe structure.
- If you live
in a mobile or manufactured home park, get together with other residents and
the park owner/manager to designate safe shelter areas in the park or community.
Tornado Safety
Actions - Offices, Condominiums and Hotels
- Monitor NOAA
Weather Radio.
- When action
is required, take shelter in an interior hallway on a lower floor, closet
or small room.
- As a last resort,
get under heavy furniture, away from windows.
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Tornado
Safety Actions
FOR HOMES |
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Monitor
NOAA Weather Radio. |
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When
a tornado watch is issued, be prepared to take action.
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When
a tornado warning is issued, or a tornado is imminent, move
to a small interior room away from windows. |
 |
Consider
constructing a tornado safe room in or adjacent to your home.
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Tornado
Safety Actions
FOR MOBILE AND
MANUFACTURED HOMES |
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|
Monitor
NOAA Weather Radio. |
|
Have
a plan of where to go during a tornado threata nearby
pre-identified safe structure within walking distance. |
|
When
a tornado watch is issued, be prepared to take action. |
 |
When
conditions warrant, move to the pre-identified safe structure. |
 |
If
you live in a mobile or manufactured home park, get together
with other residents and the park owner/manager to designate
safe shelter areas in the park or community. |
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Tornado
Safety Actions
OFFICES, CONDOMINIUMS
AND OFFICES |
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Monitor
NOAA Weather Radio. |
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When
action is required, take shelter in an interior hallway on a
lower floor, closet or small room. |
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As
a last resort, get under heavy furniture, away from windows. |
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