SAFFIR/SIMPSON HURRICANE SCALE



All hurricanes are dangerous, but some are more so than others.
The way storm surge, wind, and other factors combine determines
the hurricanes destructive power. To make comparisons easier and
to make the predicted hazards of approaching hurricanes
clearer to emergency forces-National Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration's hurricane forecasters use a disaster-potential
scale which assigns storms to five categories.  Category 1 is a
minimum hurricane;  category 5 is the worst case.  The criteria
for each category are shown below.  

This can be used to give an estimate of the potential property
damage and flooding expected along the coast with a hurricane.




CATEGORY      Definition  -  Effects



ONE           Winds 74-95 mph:  No real damage to building       
              structures.  Damage primarily to unanchored mobile 
              homes, shrubbery, and trees.  Also, some coastal   
              road flooding and minor pier damage.

TWO           Winds 96-110 mph:  Some roofing material, door, and
              window damage to buildings.  Considerable damage to
              vegetation, mobile homes, and piers.  Coastal and  
              low-lying escape routes flood 2-4 hours before   
              arrival of center.  Small craft in unprotected     
              anchorages break moorings.




THREE         Winds 111-130 mph:  Some structural damage to small
              residences and utility buildings with a minor      
              amount of curtainwall failures.  Mobile homes are  
              destroyed.  Flooding near the coast destroys       
              smaller structures with larger structures damaged  
              by floating debris.  Terrain continuously lower 
              than 5 feet ASL may be flooded inland 8 miles or   
              more.

  





FOUR          Winds 131-155 mph:  More extensive curtainwall     
              failures with some complete roof structure failure 
              on small residences.  Major erosion of beach areas.
              Major damage to lower floors of structures near    
              the shore.  Terrain continuously lower than 10 feet
              ASL may be flooded requiring massive evacuation of 
              residential areas inland as far as 6 miles.   





FIVE          Winds greater than 155 mph:  Complete roof failure 
              on many residences and industrial buildings.  Some 
              complete building failures with small utility      
              buildings blown over or away.  Major damage to     
              lower floors of all structures located less than 15
              feet ASL and within 500 yards of the shoreline.    
              Massive evacuation of residential areas on low     
              ground within 5 to 10 miles of the shoreline may   
              be required.




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