Hurricanes are classified into five categories based on their wind speed, central pressure, and damage potential. Category Three and higher hurricanes are considered major hurricanes, though Categories One and Two are still extremely dangerous and warrant your full attention.
|
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale |
|
Scale Number (Category) |
Sustained Winds (MPH) |
Damage |
Storm Surge |
|
1 |
74-95 |
Minimal: Unanchored mobile homes, vegetation and signs. |
4-5 feet |
|
2 |
96-110 |
Moderate: All mobile homes, roofs, small crafts, flooding. |
6-8 feet |
|
3 |
111-130 |
Extensive: Small buildings, low-lying roads cut off. |
9-12 feet |
|
4 |
131-155 |
Extreme: Roofs destroyed, trees down, roads cut off, mobile homes destroyed. Beach homes flooded. |
13-18 feet |
|
5 |
More than 155 |
Catastrophic: Most buildings destroyed. Vegetation destroyed. Major roads cut off. Homes flooded. |
Greater than 18 feet |