While tornadoes occur in many parts of the world, they are found most frequently in the United States. Tornadoes account for an average of 65 fatalities and 1,500 injuries nationwide each year. Tornadoes are typically spawned by powerful thunderstorms, but sometimes accompany tropical storms and hurricanes as they move onto land. Most tornado-related damage results from wind velocity and wind-blown debris, as well as large hail.

Tornadoes and NYC

Though generally associated with the central United States, tornadoes occasionally occur in New York City. On August 8, 2007, an EF2 tornado touched down in Brooklyn, tearing off roofs, wrecking sides of buildings, and snapping many trees in the Bay Ridge and Sunset Park neighborhoods. The tornado accompanied severe weather that plagued a larger section of New York City - other portions of Brooklyn, Queens, and Staten Island. Flash flooding and high winds wreaked havoc on parts of the city. In response, the City opened a Disaster Recovery Center for affected residents to obtain recovery assistance.

In October 1985, an F1 tornado touched down in Queens, injuring six people. In August 1990, an F0 tornado struck Staten Island, injuring three people. A more intense F1 tornado struck Staten Island again in October 1995, causing some property damage, but no injuries. Most recently, an F0 tornado and a "gustnado" occurred in Staten Island's Bullshead and Willowbrook areas on October 27, 2003. The F0 tornado was responsible for uprooting eight trees and causing minor property damage and the "gustnado" uprooted a 30-foot pine tree. There were no injuries.

	NYC TORNADO, BROOKLYN, AUG. 8, 2007 Learn about an EF2 tornado  that touched down in Brooklyn during a severe thunderstorm.
	NYC TORNADO, STATEN ISLAND, OCT. 27, 2003 Learn about an F0 tornado and a "gustnado" that touched down in New York City during a severe thunderstorm.

National Weather Service Terms

TORNADO: A rotating column of air extending from the ground to the base of a thunderstorm that is intense enough at the surface to do damage. Literally, in order for a vortex to be classified as a tornado, it must be in contact with the ground and the cloud base. Wind speeds in tornadoes vary from 40 mph to 318 mph (F0 to F5 on the Fujita scale).

"GUSTNADO": Unlike true tornadoes, gustnadoes are not associated with storm-scale rotation; they are more likely to be associated visually with a shelf cloud on the forward side of a thunderstorm. Extending 30 to 300 feet above the ground, with no apparent connection to the cloud above, they usually are “wispy,” or visible as a debris cloud or dust whirl at or near the ground. Wind speeds can reach 60 to 80 mph, resulting in significant damage, similar to that of a F0 or F1 tornado.

TORNADO WATCH: Issued when conditions are favorable for the development of tornadoes in and close to the watch area. Watches are usually in effect for several hours, with six hours being the most common.

TORNADO WARNING: Issued when a tornado is indicated by radar or sighted by storm spotters.

Fujita Scale

On February 1, 2007, the National Weather Service updated the Fujita Scale in an effort to more accurately classify tornadoes and the damage they cause across the country. The Enhanced Fujita (EF) Scale measures the wind speeds and resultant damage of tornadoes based on 28 damage indicators and six classes of wind speeds.

OPERATIONAL ENHANCED FUJITA SCALE

What To Do If a Tornado Strikes

• Go to your basement or the lowest point of your residence. If an underground shelter is not available, move to a small interior room or hallway on the lowest floor and get under a sturdy piece of furniture. Put as many walls as possible between you and the outside.
• Stay away from windows.
• Get out of automobiles.
• Do not try to outrun a tornado in your car; leave it immediately for safe shelter.
• If you cannot find shelter, take cover in a ditch or other recessed area and cover your head with your hands. Do NOT take cover under an overpass or bridge.
• Be aware of flying debris.
• Mobile homes offer little protection from tornadoes. Leave a mobile home and go to the lowest floor of a nearby building or storm shelter.
• Avoid places with wide-span roofs, such as auditoriums, cafeterias, large hallways, or shopping malls.

Preparing for a Tornado

• Designate an area in your home to take shelter in the event of a tornado as part of your Household Disaster Plan.
• Assemble an Emergency Supply Kit.
• Stay tuned to your local radio and television stations for the latest storm information.
• Know the difference between a tornado watch and a tornado warning.
• Learn tornado danger signs:
  • An approaching cloud of debris can mark the location of a tornado even if a funnel is not visible.
  • Before a tornado hits, the wind may die down and the air may become very still.
  • Tornadoes generally occur near the trailing edge of a thunderstorm. It is not uncommon to see clear, sunlit skies behind a tornado.

After the Storm

• Watch out for fallen power lines and stay away from damaged areas.
• Listen to the radio for information and instructions.
• Help injured or trapped persons; give first aid when appropriate.
• Don't try to move the seriously injured unless they are in immediate danger of further injury.
• If you smell gas, do not turn on any appliances or switches. This includes using phones, flashlights, or a cell phone.
• Clean up spilled medicines, bleaches, gasoline, or other flammable liquids immediately. Leave the buildings if you smell gas or chemical fumes.
• Take pictures of the damage — both to your home and its contents — for insurance purposes.