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Scale of threat levels

for South Central and Southeast Wisconsin
Tornado Threat
Hazard Map Threat Levels Safety & Impact
Tornado Safety Rules
For 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.
For Mobile and Manufactured Homes
Monitor NOAA Weather Radio. 
Have a plan of where to go during a tornado emergency —a 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.
For Open Country
Seek a nearby shelter if time permits.
If not, lie flat in the nearest depression, a ditch or culvert. Cover your head with your arms.
For Vehicles
Abandon your vehicle and seek refuge in a building or – as a last resort – a ditch or culvert.
Do not try to outrun a tornado.
For 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.
Fujita Scale
The Fujita scale (F-scale) uses actual damage to determine a tornado’s wind speed.
F0 Gale Tornado 
40-72 mph
Some damage to chimneys. Tree branches broken off. Shallow rooted trees uprooted.
F1 Moderate Tornado
73-112 mph 
Peels surface off roofs. Mobile homes overturned. Moving autos pushed off roads. 
F2 Significant Tornado
113-157 mph
Considerable damage. Roofs torn off frame houses. Large trees snapped or uprooted. Light-object missiles generated.
F3 Severe Tornado
158-206 mph
Severe damage. Roofs and some walls torn off well constructed homes. Trains overturned. Most trees in forests uprooted. Heavy cars lifted off ground and thrown. 
F4 Devastating Tornado
207-260 mph 
Well-constructed houses leveled. Structures with weak foundations blown off some distance. Cars thrown and large missiles generated. 
F5 Incredible Tornado
261-318 mph
Strong frame houses lifted off foundations and disintegrated. Automobile-sized missiles fly through the air in excess of 100 mph. Trees debarked.

  • NOAA's National Weather Service
  • Milwaukee/Sullivan, WI Weather Forecast Office
  • N3533 Hardscrabble Road
  • Dousman, WI 53118
  • 414-744-8000
  • Page Author: MKX Webmaster
  • Web Master's E-mail: w-mkx.webmaster@noaa.gov
  • Page last modified: 2-Nov-2005 10:23 PM UTC
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