How dangerous is a waterspout?

Question

I know that if a waterspout reaches land it becomes a tornado but how dangerous is a waterspout? I have heared that they are not that dangerous or as dangerous as a tornado...the most they can do is get you real wet. But how dangerous are they and are they catergorized like the tornado (F-0 to F-5)?

Answer 1

I live in FL, so I hear a lot about those.  They are usually an f-0 or 1, however, you still don't want to   get near one.. :)

Answer 2

They tend to have wind speeds of less than 100 mph.  However, a small percentage of waterspouts will form under a strong to severe thunderstorm over water and can be just as dangerous and deadly.  

I know that from my own experience.  My first year working as meteorologist, I was on duty when a line of strong thunderstorms was moving rapidly toward the coast.  One of those thunderstorms produced a waterspout.  Right before it came onshore, it capsized a fishing boat killing the two crewman on board.  Then it moved onshore and it continued its destructive ways through two coastal communities.  

I also  remember another time when a strong tornado formed under a severe thunderstorm over a coastal town.  It moved offshore and by definition, it became a waterspout.  This waterspout continue to move away from the coast.  The thunderstorm associated with it still looked severe 30 minutes after it went offshore.

So, I would treat any waterspout as dangerous if you have any uncertainties.