Can poured concrete be severely damaged by a tornado?

Question

Many tornado questions, I know, though I am just obsessed with them!

Answer 1

usually not

ever see the remains of a blown apart mobile home?

usually all that remains intact is the cement block it was originally on

Answer 2

I'm pretty sure the only way a tornado could damage concrete is to smash something into it, or pick it up and throw it if it's not anchored well.

Answer 3

The Jarrell, Texas F5 in 1997 was reported to have ripped asphalt off of the highway, and ripped the concrete foundations out of the ground.  I have never heard of damage reports this bad from any other twister.  I know that the one building that wasn't damaged by the Greensburg EF5 last year was a concrete grain elevator.

Overall, I don't think tornado winds alone can do much damage to solid concrete.

Answer 4

an F5 tornado can break anything that is above ground. that's how it's measured

Answer 5

I would assume you mean poured as in on the ground in place not a concrete wall.  If it is a bridge yes.  Concrete torn up by a tornado rarely happens.