Weather Words: Damage Survey

While most people are pretty familiar with the work of meteorologists before and during a storm, their work after a storm passes is just as important. Many don’t realize that once a storm is over, if there is damage, National Weather Service meteorologists have to then go out and assess that damage. This is what’s called a “damage survey."

The team of meteorologists first determine if the damage was caused by an actual tornado, or straight line winds. If it has been determined that it was from an actual tornado, then the survey team has to determine what category rating to give the tornado.

To do this, meteorologists first determine where the worst of the damage is. This is where the category ranking will be given. If there is structural damage to a home, the meteorologists have to take into account how well the structure was built. There are 28 damage indicators that the team combs through, including everything from homes to schools to even trees. Then the level of construction is considered before giving the tornado a rating between EF0 and EF5.

These teams work incredibly quickly. Usually the crews are out within 24 hours of a tornado touching down. Of course, in the event of a tornado outbreak, it will take longer to be able to survey all the locations, simply based on manpower alone.

The data from these damage surveys are critical for storm research as well as storm safety. The more we can learn about these storms, the better equipped we can be when it comes to preparedness.

Jennifer Gray is a weather and climate writer for weather.com. She has been covering some of the world's biggest weather and climate stories for the last two decades.