Original: Tropical cyclone A tropical cyclone is classified as making landfall when the center of the storm moves cross the coast; in strong tropical cyclones this is when the eye moves over land.
Simplified: Landfall is when a tropical cyclone or waterspout moves over land after being over water. A tropical cyclone is classified as made landfall when the center of the storm moves over land; in tropical cyclones this can be when the eye moves over land.