What are Enhanced Fujita ratings based on?

Enhanced Fujita ratings are based on observed damage following a storm. This system evaluates the extent and type of damage caused to buildings and vegetation to estimate the wind speeds that caused that damage. By analyzing how structures perform under various wind conditions, the Enhanced Fujita scale categorizes tornadoes into different ratings, ranging from EF0 to EF5, each reflecting increasing levels of destruction.

Factors like wind speed assessments during the storm, rainfall levels before the storm, and damage due to lightning strikes do not directly align with the methodology of the Enhanced Fujita ratings, since the system relies strictly on visible and documented damage to determine the intensity of tornadoes.