Michigan Tornadoes: What the EF Scale Actually Means

Living in Michigan, tornadoes are a part of life. We have drills, sirens, and even shelters named after them. But have you ever wondered how the experts measure their severity? You've heard your meteorologist talk about "an EF4 tornado ripping through town," but have you ever wondered what the heck an EF is, let alone how they come up with the number after it?

RELATED: Michigan Could See Twister Surge in 2025: Tornado Alley Shifts

Do they just eyeball the tornado and go, ‘Yep, that’s a big one’? Nope. Is it based on height or width? Nope.

Understanding the Enhanced Fujita Scale

According to the Old Farmer's Almanac, the Fujita Scale, created by University of Chicago Professor Tetsuya "Ted" Fujita, was used in the United States and Michigan until February 1, 2007, when the Enhanced Fujita Scale was introduced.

Get our free mobile app

The difference? The EF scale uses 3-second gust data along with damage assessment to determine a tornado's grade. The EF Scale ranges from EF0 to EF5. What does any of that mean? I needed it spelled out for me, so I've included a graphic for each level below.

Why Tornado Severity Matters in Michigan

We measure the strength of a tornado not for bragging rights, though saying you survived an EF5 would be a heck of a story. As with just about everything in today's world, this grading system is used for financial purposes, especially in Michigan, where twisters and paperwork often go hand-in-hand.

RELATED: Michigan Counties Rocked by 14 Tornadoes in 24 Hours

Insurance companies use the EF Scale to determine the extent of the damage and how much you may receive as a claim.