Tornadoes strike with incredible velocity. Wind speed my approach 300 miles per hour. These winds can uproot trees and structures and turn harmless objects into deadly missiles, all in a matter of seconds. Mobile homes are particularly vulnerable to tornadoes. Injury or death related to tornadoes often occur when buildings collapse, people are hit by flying objects, or caught trying to outrun or escape the tornado in a vehicle.
Tornadoes are most destructive when they touch ground.
Normally, a tornado will stay on the ground for 20 minutes or less. However, one tornado can touch the ground several times in different areas. A tornado is a violent windstorm characterized by a twisting, funnel shaped cloud. The damage from a tornado is a result of the high wind velocity and wind-blown debris. Tornado season is generally March through August, although tornadoes can occur at any time of year.