In 2007, the United States updated how it measures the destructive power of tornadoes
The National Weather Service overhauled its tornado classification system in 2007, introducing the Enhanced Fujita scale to more accurately estimate wind speeds based on specific structural damage to buildings and trees.
For decades, the original Fujita scale relied on a somewhat subjective assessment of damage to estimate a tornado's power. On February 1, 2007, the United States officially transitioned to the Enhanced Fujita (EF) scale. This modern system utilizes 28 different 'damage indicators' ranging from small barns to high-rise skyscrapers.
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