Tornado Aftermath: Questioning the Tools.
Tornado Aftermath: Questioning the Tools.
(5983 K)
Phan, L. T.; Simiu, E.
ASCE Civil Engineering Magazine, 1A-6A, December 1998.
Keywords:
weather effects
Abstract:
On May 2, 1997, a tornado swept through the outskirts of
Jarrell, Texas killing 2 people and destroying about 40
single-family residences. On the basis of the poststorm
inspection, we believe the structural engineeirng
community needs to help develop an improved tornado
classification scale and a more realistic tornado wind
speed data base. These refinements would help save
lives and property, in our opinion. Our assessment is
that the damage caused by the Jarrell tornado may be
explained by wind speeds corresponding to an F3 rating
on the Fujita tornado intensity scale. A higher rating
on that scale need not be assumed to explain the damage
at Jarrell. In our opinion, the F5 rating given to the
Jarrell tornado by the National Weather Service (NWS)
can be ascribed to shortcomings of the Fujita tornado
intensity scale.
Building and Fire Research Laboratory
National Institute of Standards and Technology
Gaithersburg, MD 20899