The Rosita Valley, TX tornado

On April 25, 2007, a tornadic supercell crossed the Rio Grande River and struck the Rosita Valley community located just south of Eagle Pass, TX damaging or destroying more than one hundred homes including many manufactured homes. The tornado traveled about four miles and had a damage path nearly one-quarter mile wide. Seven people lost their lives. Ground and aerial surveys were conducted. Tornado damage intensity was rated according to the new EF-scale, adopted by the National Weather Service in February 2007. Maximum damage intensity was EF-3 with three second wind gusts around 67 m/s. This paper will present how the EF-scale ratings were determined from the analysis of building damage.