Cancer

Cancer

10/2/11
Comp 1
Tornadoes: Epic Disasters
      Although tornadoes occur in many parts of the world, these destructive forces of nature are found most frequently in the United States during the spring and summer months. (nssl.noaa.gov). Eight hundred tornadoes are reported yearly nationwide, resulting in around 80 deaths and over 1,500 injuries. (nssl.noaa.gov). A tornado is a violently rotating mass of air sprouting out of a thunderstorm unto the ground. The most violent tornadoes are capable of extraordinary destruction with wind speeds of 250 miles per hour or more. (nssl.noaa.gov). Damage paths can be over one mile wide and fifty miles long. Tornadoes are rated on a scale of F1-F5. F1 has very little damage, and F5 being total destruction.
There are many different factors that contribute in the formation of a tornado. Thunderstorms are formed by the development of moist air mixing with hot air. (nssl.noaa.gov). Thunderstorms often form on a dry-line. A dry-line separates humid, moist air from hot, dry air. Thunderstorms may form from the dry-line moving eastward. (nssl.noaa.gov). These type of thunderstorms form tornadoes.
F1 tornadoes are the weakest of all tornadoes, the winds of these tornadoes are approximately 73-112 miles per hour. (stfrancis). They can tip over mobile homes and cars and also knock down trees and power lines. Many tornadoes start out as an F1, and then they become stronger, and then end up as F1 tornadoes as they start to diminish. (stfrancis).
F2 tornadoes have wind speeds of approximately 113-157 miles per hour, and cause more destruction than the F1 tornadoes. (stfrancis). The roofs of houses can be ripped off, mobile homes can be destroyed, trees can be uprooted, and cars may be blown off of highways. (stfrancis). F2 tornadoes can last up to 20 minutes with a path length of 15 or more miles. (crh.noaa). Shelter must be taken to protect people from getting killed during these tornadoes.
      F3 tornadoes cause severe damage....