Week 06: Tornadoes, Windstorms, & FEMA Mitigation Ideas

Question 1

Tornadoes occur in many parts of the world, including Australia, Europe, Africa, Asia, and South America. Even New Zealand reports about how many tornadoes each year?

Answer 1

20

(Week 06 - Slide 09)

Question 2

Where are two of the highest concentrations of tornadoes outside of the U.S found?

Answer 2

Argentina and Bangladesh

(Week 06 - Slide 09)

Question 3

What are the identifiers and wind speeds (km/h) for each level of the Fujita Scale?

Answer 3

F0: Little damage, 64-116
F1: Roof damage, 117 - 180
F2: Roof gone, 181 - 253
F3: Wall collapse, 254 - 332
F4: House blown down, 333 - 418
F5: House blown away, 419 - 512

(Week 06 - Slide 12)

Question 4

What are the identifiers and wind speeds (km/h) for each level of the Enhanced Fujita Scale?

Answer 4

EF0: Siding and Shingle damage, 105 -137

EF1: Uprooted trees and overturned single-wide mobile homes, 138 - 178

EF2: Permanent houses off foundations, 179 - 218

EF3: Severe damage; houses mostly destroyed, 219 - 266

EF4: Devastating; large sections of school buildings destroyed, 267 - 322

EF5: Incredible damage; deformation of mid- and high-rise buildings, >322

(Week 06 - Slide 12)

Question 5

Experience has show that certain construction practices are essential to wind resistance, what are they? (3)

Answer 5

1. Roof type
2. Truss bracing
3. Gable end bracing

(Week 06 - Slide 29)

Question 6

How can roof types be essential to wind resistance?

Answer 6

Gabled roofs present a flat surface to high winds; thus are more likely to suffer hurricane damage than other roof types, and can collapse if
not properly braced

(Week 06 - Slide 29)

Question 7

How can Truss Bracing be essential to wind resistance?

Answer 7

Roof trusses must be braced horizontally to present them from collapsing under high wind stress

(Week 06 - Slide 29)

Question 8

How can Gable End Bracing be essential to wind resistance?

Answer 8

Additional “x” pattern bracing is needed to ensure that
gable ends do not collapse.

(Week 06 - Slide 29)

Question 9

According to the FEMA Mitigation Ideas document, what are the two Local Planning and Regulations to mitigate the impacts of Tornadoes?

Answer 9

1. Encourage Construction of Safe Rooms
2. Require Wind- Resistant Building Techniques

(Week 06, FEMA - p. 64)

Question 10

According to the FEMA Mitigation Ideas document, what is the Education and Awareness Program to mitigate the impacts of tornadoes?

Answer 10

Conduct Tornado Awareness Activities

(Week 06, FEMA - p.64)