How do tornadoes damage houses?

How do tornadoes damage houses?

As a twister barrels toward a home, it brings flying debris that shatters windows and pounds away at the exterior walls. Because they’re going so fast, the winds blowing over the roof exert uplift, the same aerodynamic force that allows airplanes to fly.

What happens if a tornado hits your house?

If your house is damaged by a tornado, you could end up walking through debris that’s riddled with nails, glass shards and splintered wood. The best way to ensure your shoes aren’t scattered is to put on a pair before the storm comes. If you own a bike helmet, be sure to put it on during a severe storm.

How do tornadoes damage structures?

Wind Speed and Air Pressure The lower pressure within the tornado wreaks havoc on larger structures by creating a pressure differential between the exterior and interior of the structure. The extremes in air pressure tear roofs off buildings and demolish walls.

What damage does a tornado do?

Every year in the United States, tornadoes do about 400 million dollars in damage and kill about 70 people on average. Extremely high winds tear homes and businesses apart. Winds can also destroy bridges, flip trains, send cars and trucks flying, tear the bark off trees, and suck all the water from a riverbed.

Can you survive inside a tornado?

Although there is no completely safe place during a tornado, some locations are much safer than others. Go to the basement or an inside room without windows on the lowest floor (bathroom, closet, center hallway). If possible, avoid sheltering in a room with windows.

Do tornadoes make houses explode?

Your house will not “explode” due to a tornado passing over it, and taking time to open windows reduces your ability to seek safe shelter in time. Plus, opening windows allows damaging winds to enter the structure.

Does homeowners insurance cover tornado damage?

In general, most homeowners insurance policies cover damage caused by hail, tornadoes, wind, rain and lightning. But there are exceptions, and it is important to note that your homeowners policy does not cover flood damage. Lightning. Your home insurance policy likely provides coverage for damage caused by lightning.

How do tornadoes cause destruction?

According to infoplease, tornadoes can cause very minimal damage, such as ripping siding off of homes, to catastrophic damage, which can literally lift homes off their foundations. The type and severity of tornadoes are classified using the Fujita scale .

What happens after a tornado?

Tornadoes form out of thunderstorms, where moist air rises, cools and condenses into clouds that release heat and force cooler air back down. If the updrafts are strong enough, the feedback loop forms an air vortex that continues to shunt more moist air upwards and eventually forms a tornado.

What is a destructive tornado?

A Destructive Tornado. Tornadoes are one of the deadliest and most unpredictable villains mankind will ever face. There is no rhyme or reason, no rhythm to it’s madness. Tornados are one of the most terrifying natural events that occur, destroying homes and ending lives every year.