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Severity scale for tornadoes

Author

Listed:
  • H. Jithamala Caldera

    (University of Calgary)

  • S. C. Wirasinghe

    (University of Calgary)

  • Ludo Zanzotto

    (University of Calgary)

Abstract

Tornadoes are the most destructive winds created by nature. Sometimes tornadoes are strong enough to destroy most things in their path. These types of tornadoes are few compared to all tornadoes confirmed/reported. Currently, existing scales describe severity levels in terms of intensity/magnitude, and they are not sufficient to clearly distinguish the severity level. Several discrepancies between various sources of information complicate the interpretation of trends in tornado data. As a solution to these inconsistencies, a technique is required to compare the severity level of tornadoes. Impact factors, such as the number of fatalities, number of injuries, number of homeless, affected population, affected area, and cost of damage, can be considered to evaluate the severity levels. Prior experience, preparedness, awareness, evolving technology, mitigation methods, and early warning systems may minimize the number of fatalities and injuries. Models are used to identify which of the above factors should be considered in a severity scale to indicate the seriousness of tornadoes. However, the lack of data prevents an in-depth analysis of tornado severity. Extreme value theory is used to study potential severity levels of tornadoes. This paper attempts to develop an initial severity scale for tornadoes, which is a primary stage to develop a multi-dimensional severity scale. This common scale provides the criteria to rank tornadoes and allows the impact of one tornado to be compared to the impact of another tornado. Further, the scale allows the impact of a tornado to be compared to any type of natural disaster that occurs.

Suggested Citation

  • H. Jithamala Caldera & S. C. Wirasinghe & Ludo Zanzotto, 2018. "Severity scale for tornadoes," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 90(3), pages 1051-1086, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:nathaz:v:90:y:2018:i:3:d:10.1007_s11069-017-3084-z
    DOI: 10.1007/s11069-017-3084-z
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Samanthi Durage & Lina Kattan & S. Wirasinghe & Janaka Ruwanpura, 2014. "Evacuation behaviour of households and drivers during a tornado," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 71(3), pages 1495-1517, April.
    2. Colin F. Camerer & Howard Kunreuther, 1989. "Decision processes for low probability events: Policy implications," Journal of Policy Analysis and Management, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 8(4), pages 565-592.
    3. Samanthi Durage & S. Wirasinghe & Janaka Ruwanpura, 2013. "Comparison of the Canadian and US tornado detection and warning systems," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 66(1), pages 117-137, March.
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    Cited by:

    1. H. Jithamala Caldera & S. C. Wirasinghe, 2022. "A universal severity classification for natural disasters," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 111(2), pages 1533-1573, March.

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