The two types of winds are rotating vortex
Describe the two types of winds associated
winds and straight-line winds, each causing
with tornadoes and severe thunderstorms.
damage in different ways.
Rotating vortex winds can rip structures
How do rotating vortex winds cause damage
apart, completely removing them and leaving
to structures?
only the foundation behind.
The destruction depends on the tornado's
Identify the factors that influence the
intensity, size, path, time of day, and the
destruction caused by a tornado.
duration it remains on the ground.
A tornado is defined as a violently rotating
Define a tornado according to the National
column of air touching the ground, usually
Weather Service.
attached to the base of a thunderstorm.
Strong tornadoes can snap trees at the trunk,
Explain the impact of strong tornadoes on uproot them, or break branches, with damage
trees. patterns depending on the vortex wind's
direction.
Most injuries and fatalities are caused by
What is the primary cause of injuries and
being struck or cut by falling or wind-borne
fatalities during tornadoes?
debris.
The most effective protection is a safe room
How can individuals protect themselves from
or shelter specifically designed to withstand a
vortex winds during a tornado?
tornado's destructive force.
Safe rooms are constructed to FEMA
Describe the characteristics of safe rooms
standards and provide near absolute
built for tornado protection.
protection from high winds and flying debris.
Community safe rooms are intended for larger
What is the purpose of community safe populations, such as schools or areas with
rooms? vulnerable populations, to provide safety
during tornadoes.
Straight-line winds are more likely to cause a
How do straight-line winds differ from rotating
structure to collapse rather than ripping it
vortex winds in terms of structural damage?
apart like rotating vortex winds.
What is the maximum forward speed a The forward speed of a tornado may vary
tornado can reach? from nearly stationary to 70 mph.
FEMA Publication 361 provides standards for
What is the significance of FEMA Publication
constructing safe rooms that protect against
361?
tornadoes and hurricanes.
How do rotating vortex winds affect vehicles Rotating vortex winds can roll vehicles or lift
during a tornado? them off the ground and drop them.
In strong tornadoes, the debris pattern will
What happens to the debris pattern in strong
differ based on the rotational force, often
tornadoes?
resulting in complete removal of structures.
FEMA Publication 320 provides additional
Describe the purpose of FEMA Publication
information and prescriptive plans about
320.
residential tornado safe rooms.
The two FEMA publications discussed are
Identify the two FEMA publications discussed FEMA 320: Taking Shelter from the Storm and
in lesson 5. FEMA 361: Safe Rooms for Tornadoes and
Hurricanes.
Stand-alone shelters are a better option when
Explain the advantages of stand-alone
it is not possible or cost-effective to build a
shelters.
safe room within an existing structure.
List the possible construction locations for External shelters may be constructed above
external shelters. grade, partially above-grade, or below grade.
Storm shelters must be designed and
Define the requirements for storm shelters in
installed in compliance with the International
residential properties.
Code Council (ICC) 500 standard.
Occupants should identify the best available
What should occupants do if they do not have
refuge area within their homes before a
access to safe rooms?
tornado or high wind event occurs.
Identifying and taking refuge in the best
How do best available refuge areas help available space within a building can reduce
during a tornado? the likelihood of injury or death during a
tornado.
The two types of winds are rotating vortex
Summarize the types of winds associated
winds and straight-line winds, each causing
with tornadoes and severe thunderstorms.
damage in different ways.
The lesson aims to examine how rotating
What are the key learning objectives of the vortex winds cause damage and learn about
lesson on vortex winds? mitigation measures to protect people from
these effects.
A tornado is defined as a violently rotating
How does the National Weather Service
column of air touching the ground, usually
define a tornado?
attached to the base of a thunderstorm.
The destruction and injury caused by a
What factors influence the destruction caused
tornado depend on its intensity, size, path,
by a tornado?
time of day, and duration on the ground.
What is the maximum speed of the strongest The strongest tornadoes can have rotating
tornadoes? vortex winds of more than 200 mph.
Extreme tornado winds can rip structures
Describe the effects of extreme tornado
apart, destroy trees, and lift vehicles off the
winds.
ground.
The next lesson will discuss straight-line
What will be discussed in the next lesson
winds associated with the same storms that
following this one?
spawn tornadoes.
Strong tornadoes can completely remove
Describe the impact of strong tornadoes on
structures, leaving only the foundation
structures.
behind.
How do straight-line winds compare to Straight-line winds are more likely to cause a
tornado winds in terms of structural damage? structure to collapse rather than rip it apart.
Rotating vortex winds can snap trees off at
Define the types of damage that rotating
the trunk, uproot them, or break branches,
vortex winds can cause to trees.
depending the tornado's strength.
Vehicles can be rolled, picked up, and
What happens to vehicles during a tornado?
dropped by the strong winds of a tornado.
The only effective life-safety protection from
Identify effective protection measures against strong tornado vortex winds is a safe room or
vortex winds. shelter specifically designed to withstand
their destructive force.
Safe rooms are built within secure structures
Explain the purpose of safe rooms. to protect individuals from high winds and
flying debris associated with tornadoes.
Safe rooms should be constructed to the
What standards should safe rooms meet for
standards of FEMA Publication 361 to provide
optimal protection?
near absolute protection from extreme winds.
Community safe rooms are intended for larger
Differentiate between community safe rooms populations, such as schools, while residential
and residential safe rooms. safe rooms are designed for individual
households.
FEMA Publication 320 provides additional
What is FEMA Publication 320 about? information and prescriptive plans for
residential tornado safe rooms.
Stand-alone shelters are recommended when
When are stand-alone shelters
it is not possible or cost-effective to build a
recommended?
safe room within an existing structure.
External storm shelters can be constructed
List the possible locations for external storm
above grade, partially above-grade, or below
shelters.
grade.
Identifying 'Best Available Refuge Areas' helps
What is the purpose of identifying 'Best
occupants find safer spaces within their
Available Refuge Areas'?
homes during a tornado or high wind event.
'Best Available Refuge Areas' are not
Why are 'Best Available Refuge Areas' not specifically designed as storm shelters or safe
considered safe rooms? rooms, so occupants may still be at risk
during a tornado.
The lesson covered types of damage caused
Summarize the key points learned in this by vortex winds and mitigation measures for
lesson. protecting lives, including safe rooms and
shelters.
What additional risks do straight-line winds Straight-line winds can also cause property
pose? damage and carry a risk of casualties.
Straight-line winds are high-velocity winds not
associated with tornado rotation, capable of
Describe the characteristics of straight-line
causing significant damage to structures.
winds.
They may also be referred to as a derecho,
thunderstorm outflow, or microburst.
Straight-line winds can exert enough force to
How do straight-line winds cause damage to tear off all or part of a roof, with the roof's
roofs? shape potentially acting as a source of lift or a
barrier to the wind.
Straight-line winds can tear off roofs, break
Identify the types of damage straight-line windows, damage siding, cause complete
winds can inflict on structures. structural collapse, and blow down trees and
vegetation.
A continuous load path refers to the method
of connecting and reinforcing the main parts
Define the term 'continuous load path' in the
of a structure to effectively transfer wind
context of wind mitigation.
loads from the top of the structure to its
foundation.
Key connections include roof to upper floor
What are some key connections in a
walls, upper walls to lower walls, lower walls
continuous load path?
to main floor, and main floor to foundation.
Metal brackets and straps, often called
'hurricane straps,' strengthen connections
How can metal brackets and straps enhance
between structural components, ensuring
a structure's resistance to straight-line winds?
that wind loads are effectively transferred and
reducing the likelihood of collapse.
Roof design is crucial as roof failures are a
Explain the role of roof design in mitigating common cause of major damage from high
wind damage. winds. Proper design and reinforcement can
help reduce potential roof damage.
To protect windows, measures include
What mitigation measures can be taken to reinforcing window frames and using impact-
protect windows from straight-line winds? resistant materials to withstand the force of
wind and wind-borne debris.
Outbuildings can be anchored using proper
How can outbuildings be anchored to reduce tie-downs and securing methods to prevent
damage from straight-line winds? them from being blown away or damaged by
high winds.
Mitigation activities such as pruning or
What actions can be taken to improve life eliminating trees near structures can reduce
safety during wind events? the risk of falling debris, thereby improving
life safety during wind events.
The purpose of hardening a structure is to
Recall the purpose of hardening a structure enhance its performance and resilience
against straight-line winds. against wind loads, thereby reducing the risk
of damage during wind events.
Wind-borne debris can facilitate the breakage
Describe the impact of wind-borne debris on of window panels by increasing the force
windows during straight-line wind events. exerted on them, leading to potential damage
and safety hazards.
A microburst is a localized downdraft that can
What is a microburst in relation to straight- produce straight-line winds, causing
line winds? significant damage similar to that of a severe
thunderstorm.
Siding can be peeled back or removed from a
How can siding be affected by straight-line
structure when the design limits are exceeded
winds?
due to the force of straight-line winds.
Reinforcing connections is important as it
Identify the importance of reinforcing
helps ensure that the structure can withstand
connections in a structure during wind
high wind loads, reducing the risk of collapse
events.
and damage.
Wind-resistant roofs, such as hip roofs,
increase the strength of roof framing and
Describe the benefits of designing wind-
improve wind performance, making them
resistant roofs.
more resistant to wind damage compared to
gable roofs.
Gable roof ends can be reinforced by bracing
How can gable roof ends be reinforced to the framing with 2x4s in an X pattern,
resist wind? secured from the top center of the end gable
to the bottom of the brace of the fourth truss.
Roof sheathing, or roof decking, consists of
Define roof sheathing and its importance in boards or plywood nailed to roof rafters or
high-wind events. trusses, and its proper installation is crucial to
prevent failure during high-wind events.
To reduce wind damage, choose shingles with
What are the recommended practices for longer warranties for greater durability and
installing shingles to reduce wind damage? follow local building codes, using roofing nails
instead of staples or adhesives.
Breach points, such as exterior doors and
windows, are the weakest parts of a
Explain the significance of breach points in a
structure's outer shell; if compromised, they
structure during high winds.
allow high winds to enter, creating internal
pressures that can cause serious damage.
Garage doors can be reinforced to mitigate
How can garage doors be reinforced to wind damage by strengthening their
mitigate wind damage? structure, as they are the largest potential
breach point in a building.
Building codes establish minimum
What is the role of building codes in securing requirements for securing roof sheathing, and
roof sheathing? it is advisable to exceed these standards
when feasible to enhance roof stability.
High winds can cause significant damage to
shingles, so it is important to choose shingles
Describe the impact of high winds on shingles
with appropriate wind speed ratings and
and how to choose them.
durability, ideally those with longer
warranties.
Securing double-entry doors can involve
What measures can be taken to secure reinforcing their frames and ensuring they are
double-entry doors against high winds? properly installed to withstand the pressure
from high winds.
The geometry of a hip roof decreases wind
How does the geometry of a hip roof affect pressure on the roof due to its sloped design
wind pressure? on all sides, which is less obstructive to wind
compared to gable roofs.
High winds entering an attached garage can
Describe the impact of high winds on cause structural damage to the entire
attached garages. building, making it essential to reinforce the
garage door.
Garage doors can be reinforced with metal
How can garage doors be reinforced against bars and brackets to enhance their
high winds? performance against high winds and protect
the garage and its contents.
Double-entry doors can be blown in by high
Explain the risks associated with double-entry winds, posing a serious risk; securing them
doors during high winds. with latches at the top and bottom can help
prevent this.
Impact-resistant glass is designed to prevent
What is the purpose of impact-resistant glass damage to the building, reduce injury from
in buildings? broken glass, and prevent water entry
through broken windows.
Impact-resistant glass is laminated with a thin
How is impact-resistant glass constructed? film to prevent shattering and is sealed to its
frame with structural adhesive.
Functional shutters are made of impact-
What are functional shutters and their resistant materials and can be closed over
purpose? windows to protect them quickly during high
winds.
Mitigation measures include anchoring
List some mitigation measures to protect
outbuildings, pruning and thinning trees, and
structures from high winds.
securing structures against wind damage.
Anchoring outbuildings prevents them from
How does anchoring outbuildings help during
becoming flying debris during high winds,
high winds?
reducing the risk of damage.
Pruning and thinning trees reduces the risk of
What is the importance of pruning and
damage to a structure by ensuring that trees
thinning trees near structures?
are not close enough to fall on it.
Key lessons include understanding how
straight-line winds cause damage, the
Summarize the key lessons learned about
importance of a continuous load path, and
wind damage mitigation.
specific mitigation measures for buildings and
surrounding areas.
