Saffir-Simpson Scale

The Saffir-Simpson Scale is a measure of the wind intensity of a hurricane. Because water damage caused by the storm surge varies greatly depending on the coastine and tidal conditions, the scale does not take this into account.

Some people also tend to say "Oh, it's only a Category 1" storm, but remember that ALL tropical storms have the potential to be deadly. It's important to heed warnings given by the authorities and to prepare and evacuate as needed. Storms are often unpredictable in both intensity and direction, and you don't want to be caught off-guard and under-prepared.

	Wind Speed	Typical Storm Surge	Typical Damage Profile
Category 1	74-95 mph	4-5 feet above normal	Some damage to signs, unanchored mobile homes, trees, shrubbery. Coastal road flooding and minor pier damage.
Category 2	96-110 mph	6-8 feet above normal	Door, window, roofing material damage. Trees blown down. Heavy damage to mobile homes and piers. Small boat damage with broken moorings in unprotected areas. Coastal evacution routes will flood 2-4 hours before the storm arrives.
Category 3	111-130 mph	9-12 feet above normal	Structural damage to small residences and outbuildings. Large trees blown down. Mobile homes destroyed. Evacuation routes flooded 3-5 hours before central part of the storm arrives. Coastal flooding destroys and damanges structures, including battering by floating debris. Extensive flooding of low-lying areas, extending as far as 8 miles inland.
Category 4	131-155 mph	13-18 feet above normal	Wall and roof failures. Signs and trees all blown down. Mobile homes completely destroyed. Heavy door and window damage. Evacuation routes flooded hours before center of the storm approaches. Major damage to coastal structures. Extensive inland flooding of low-lying areas.
Category 5	155+ mph	18+ feet above normal	Complete roof failures, complete building failures, all trees and signs blown down. Extensive destruction of coastal structures. Extreme flooding of low-lying areas within 5-10 miles of the shoreline.