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Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale is a rating system based on hurricane intensity. Within each category is a description of wind speed, storm surge, and estimated damages. Examples of each category are noted.
- Category One Hurricane
- Category Two Hurricane
- Category Three Hurricane
- Category Four Hurricane
- Category Five Hurricane
- Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees
- Limited coastal road flooding and minor pier damage
- No significant damage to permanent structures
- Some damage to poorly constructed signs
- Storm surge generally 4 to 5 feet above normal
- Winds 74 to 95 miles per hour (mph)
- Coastal and low-lying escape routes flood 2 to 4 hours before the arrival of the hurricane center
- Considerable damage to mobile homes, poorly constructed signs, and piers
- Considerable damage to shrubbery and trees
- Small craft in unprotected anchorages break moorings
- Some roofing material, door, and window damage of buildings
- Some trees blown down
- Storm surge generally 6 to 8 feet above normal
- Winds 96 to 110 miles per hour (mph)
- Evacuation of low-lying residences with several blocks of the shoreline may be required
- Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by floating debris
- Foliage blown off trees
- Large trees blown down
- Low-lying escape routes are covered by rising water 3 to 5 hours before arrival of the hurricane center
- Mobile homes and poorly constructed signs are destroyed
- Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings with a minor amount of curtain wall failures
- Storm surge generally 9 to 12 feet above normal
- Terrain lower than 5 feet above mean sea level may be flooded 8 miles inland
- Winds 111 to 130 miles per hour (mph)
- Complete destruction of mobile homes
- Extensive damage to doors and windows
- Hurricane Luis of 1995 was a Category Four hurricane while moving over the Leeward Islands
- Hurricanes Felix and Opal of 1995 also reached Category Four status at peak intensity
- Low-lying escape routes may be covered by rising water 3 to 5 hours before arrival of the hurricane center
- Major damage to lower floors of structures near the shore
- Shrubs, trees, and all signs are blown down
- Storm surge generally 13 to 18 feet above normal, more extensive curtain wall failures with some complete roof structure failures on small residences
- Terrain lower than 10 feet above sea level may be flooded, requiring the massive evacuation of residential areas as far inland as 6 miles (10 kilometer)
- Winds 131 to 155 miles per hour (mph)
- All shrubs, trees, and signs blown down
- Complete destruction of mobile homes
- Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings
- Hurricane Gilbert of 1988 was a Category Five hurricane at peak intensity and is the strongest Atlantic tropical cyclone of record
- Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3 to 5 hours before arrival of the hurricane center
- Major damage to lower floors of all structures located less than 15 feet above sea level 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
- Severe and extensive window and door damage
- Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown away
- Storm surge generally greater than 18 feet
- Winds greater than 155 miles per hour (mph)