A lead forecaster with the National Weather Service (NWS) branch in Louisville told LEX18 the path to determine a tornado’s rating starts with the damage.
“We actually have what’s called an E-F kit, or the Enhanced Fujita kit, and what it does is you look at the damage, and you have several damage indicators, what you’re looking at was this a house, was this a large warehouse, an apartment building,” said Brian Schoettmer with NWS.
Then, surveyors look at the degree of damage. For example, Schoettmer said it could be the difference between losing just a roof, a roof and walls, or there only being the foundation left. From there, he said you determine what wind speeds would have to occur to create that damage, and check that with the radar…