A violently whirling column of air extending downward from a cumulonimbus cloud and seen as a rapidly rotating, slender, funnel shaped cloud that has a wind velocity of up to 300 miles per hour at the central core and destroys everything along its narrow ground path. Evacuation of high risk areas may be required on short notice. Sheltering and mass feeding efforts may be required along with debris clearance, search and rescue, and emergency fire and medical services. The tornados experienced in recent history in Maine have been generated by severe summer storms with the southwestern and central sections of the State most often affected. Because of Maine's sparse population, there has not been significant amounts of property damage or personal injury.
Mobile homes are most vulnerable to substantial damage.
The National Weather Service provides warning of tornado producing conditions and alerts citizens through radio and television broadcasts. Immediate notification is extremely vital as minimal warning is usually all that can be given. Mobile homes are very unsafe and mobile home residents are urged to evacuate to the nearest frame home with a basement. All citizens are urged to go into below ground areas at the earliest warning with flashlights and a radio and to remain there until informed that all danger is past. The near total destruction in the path of a tornado cannot be prevented or minimized, but personal injury may be prevented by being below ground level.