"Morgans" wrote

Although the characterization of them as a rope is accurate in a
way, I
don't think that is correct to say that they are small.


It's the killer part that is small. You are right that the
disturbance extends much farther. The people who were scared, nearly
died, and lived to tell us about it hit that outer disturbance. Not
many have described hitting the rope in the middle. They are a lot
like tornadoes. Look how close the chasers get to the funnels where
they are pelted by debris but live. Then consider the devastation at
the center.

--

Roger Long