Hurricane Categories
Hurricane Categories
A hurricane's strength is described by five categories, ranging from 1, the least severe, to 5, the most severe. This is called the SAFFIR-SIMPSON hurricane scale.
Category One: Winds of 74-95 MPH
Damage primarily to shrubbery, tree foliage and unanchored mobile homes, some structural roof damage. No real damage to other structures. Storm surge 8-9.5 feet above normal tide level. Low lying coastal roads inundated, minor pier damage, some small craft in exposed anchorage torn from moorings. Evacuation of barrier islands and low lying mainland areas.
Category Two: Winds of 96-110 MPH
Considerable damage to shrubbery and tree foliage. Some trees blown down. Major damage to exposed mobile homes. Some structural and roof damage. Storm surge of 11-13 feet above normal tide level. Coastal roads and low lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 7-8 hours before arrival of hurricane center. Considerable damage to piers. Marinas flooded. Small craft in unprotected anchorages torn from moorings. Evacuation of barrier islands and low lying mainland areas.
Category Three: Winds of 111-130 MPH
Foliage torn from trees, large trees blown down. Damage to roofs, windows and doors, some structural damage. Mobile homes destroyed. Storm surge 17-20 feet above normal tide level. Serious flooding on coast, many structures on coast destroyed. Larger structures near coast damaged by battering waves and floating debris. Low lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 9-10 hours before hurricane center arrives. Large scale evacuation required.
Category Four: Winds of 131-155 MPH
Shrubs and trees blown down, all signs blown down. Considerable structural damage to buildings. Complete failure of roofs on many residences. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Storm surge 23-26.5 feet above normal tide level. Major damage to lower floors of structures near shore due to flooding and battering of waves and floating debris. Low lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 11-12 hours before hurricane center arrives. Major erosion of beaches. Total evacuation of all barrier islands, low lying areas of mainland and most other areas of the county.
Category Five: Winds greater than 155 MPH
Shrubs and tree blown down. Complete failure of residential and commercial roofs. Some complete building failures. Complete destruction of all mobile homes. Storm surge greater than 27 feet above normal tide level. Major damage to lower floors of all structures less than 15 feet above sea level within 500 yards of shore. Low lying escape route inland cut by rising water 12-13 hours before hurricane center arrives. Total evacuation of entire county.
A hurricane's strength is described by five categories, ranging from 1, the least severe, to 5, the most severe. This is called the SAFFIR-SIMPSON hurricane scale.
Category One: Winds of 74-95 MPH
Damage primarily to shrubbery, tree foliage and unanchored mobile homes, some structural roof damage. No real damage to other structures. Storm surge 8-9.5 feet above normal tide level. Low lying coastal roads inundated, minor pier damage, some small craft in exposed anchorage torn from moorings. Evacuation of barrier islands and low lying mainland areas.
Category Two: Winds of 96-110 MPH
Considerable damage to shrubbery and tree foliage. Some trees blown down. Major damage to exposed mobile homes. Some structural and roof damage. Storm surge of 11-13 feet above normal tide level. Coastal roads and low lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 7-8 hours before arrival of hurricane center. Considerable damage to piers. Marinas flooded. Small craft in unprotected anchorages torn from moorings. Evacuation of barrier islands and low lying mainland areas.
Category Three: Winds of 111-130 MPH
Foliage torn from trees, large trees blown down. Damage to roofs, windows and doors, some structural damage. Mobile homes destroyed. Storm surge 17-20 feet above normal tide level. Serious flooding on coast, many structures on coast destroyed. Larger structures near coast damaged by battering waves and floating debris. Low lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 9-10 hours before hurricane center arrives. Large scale evacuation required.
Category Four: Winds of 131-155 MPH
Shrubs and trees blown down, all signs blown down. Considerable structural damage to buildings. Complete failure of roofs on many residences. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Storm surge 23-26.5 feet above normal tide level. Major damage to lower floors of structures near shore due to flooding and battering of waves and floating debris. Low lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 11-12 hours before hurricane center arrives. Major erosion of beaches. Total evacuation of all barrier islands, low lying areas of mainland and most other areas of the county.
Category Five: Winds greater than 155 MPH
Shrubs and tree blown down. Complete failure of residential and commercial roofs. Some complete building failures. Complete destruction of all mobile homes. Storm surge greater than 27 feet above normal tide level. Major damage to lower floors of all structures less than 15 feet above sea level within 500 yards of shore. Low lying escape route inland cut by rising water 12-13 hours before hurricane center arrives. Total evacuation of entire county.