Hurricane Assessment

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale

Scientists and meteorologists have devised methods to measure the power and intensity of hurricanes and other tropical storms. Understanding the size and scope of a storm will help to determine how much damage it is likely to create and how long it might last.

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale is used to explain the size and strength of a hurricane. The scale itself is a basic numerical system from 1 (relatively light) to 5 (extreme), based on how fast the wind from any storm is blowing.

Category 1

The winds from a Category 1 hurricane blow at 74 - 95 miles per hour. Although this is the lightest level of hurricane, it can still do a great deal of damage. The winds can pick up objects and send them crashing into buildings or other structures, tear up bushes and small trees and knock down smaller items such as unanchored tool sheds. Any hurricane may produce a powerful wave of sea water known as a surge storm that can spill over the coastline and flood nearby homes. A Category 1 hurricane is only likely to produce waves that are 4 - 5 feet higher than normal.

Category 2

The winds from a Category 2 hurricane blow at 96 - 110 miles per hour. The heavier winds are able to pick up and move larger objects, and can destroy trees, small boats that are docked, and break windows that are not properly protected with storm shutters. The storm surge waves can be expected to reach approximately 6 - 8 feet over the average size.

Category 3

The winds from a Category 3 hurricane blow at 111 - 130 miles per hour. This level of wind storm can knock over mobile homes, do large amounts of damage to other homes and small buildings and knock down large trees. The winds can also produce dangerous levels of flooding and surge storm waves that are 9 to 12 feet bigger than usual. Individuals living close to the shoreline may need to be evacuated when a Category 3 hurricane forms.

Category 4

The winds from a Category 4 hurricane blow at 131 - 155 miles per hour. A category 4 may require a high level of evacuation as it can be a deadly force. The winds become strong enough to demolish mobile homes and break apart other buildings, carry large objects through the air and send them smashing into cars, houses or anything in it path, and produce waves in a storm surge that are between 13 and 18 feet higher than normal sized waves.

Category 5

The winds from a Category 5 hurricane blow at more than 155 miles per hour. This is a hurricane at its most powerful and destructive. The fierce winds can produce a large amount of flooding, completely knock over and destroy buildings, uproot large trees and send them flying through the air, and wreak havoc on any community. Surge storms caused by a category 5 will be more than 18 feet larger than waves would be without a storm, so they are likely to flood and destroy and structure that is nearby.

Every category of hurricane should be respected for its sheer power and taken seriously. If you live in an area that has a hurricane forming, pay close attention to the status of the storm, and be prepared to evacuate if necessary.