What’s the significance of straight-line winds in a thunderstorm?

Straight-line winds are often responsible for most of the wind damage associated with a severe thunderstorm. These high speed winds are common with the gust front of a thunderstorm or they originate with a downburst from a thunderstorm.

These winds are often confused with tornadoes because of the amount of damage that can be produced. The National Weather Service will usually survey the damage after the event and look for signs of a tornado. If there is a lack of a rotation in the damage pattern it is classified as straight-line winds. 

One of the most destructive examples of this was Wichita, Kan., on June 19, 1990. Winds were clocked at 116 mph and produced more then $50 million dollars in damage. Winds toppled trees, ripped apart small buildings, and knocked down more than 1,000 power poles.