The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale is
a 1-5 rating based on the hurricane's present intensity. This
is used to give an estimate of the potential property damage
and flooding expected from a hurricane landfall.
TYPE
CATEGORY
WINDS
EXPECTED DAMAGE
Depression
-
<61 km/hr
Minor
Tropical Storm
-
62 km/hr to 118 km/hr
Minor; flooding possible
Hurricane
1
119 km/hr to 153 km/hr
Minimal - damage to plants,
some roofs, and signs; flooding possible
Hurricane
2
154 km/hr to 177 km/hr
Moderate - damage to plants
with some trees down, exposed homes, roofs, windows, and
doors; no major damage to building structures; flooding
possible
Hurricane
3
178 km/hr to 209 km/hr
Extensive - large trees down,
some structural damage to small buildings inland with
small structures near the coast destroyed; larger structures
near the coast would be damaged by the storm surge; flooding
possible.
Hurricane
4
210 km/hr to 249 km/hr
Extreme - shrubs, trees, and
all signs blown down; extensive damage to inland roofs,
windows, and doors; small homes possibly destroyed; storm
surge would cause flooding. Terrain lower than 10 ft above
sea level may be flooded requiring massive evacuation
of residential areas as far inland as 6 miles (10 km).
Hurricane
5
>249 km/hr
Catastrophic - destruction
of some building, considerable damage to roofs, and sever
damage to windows and doors; roofs on many homes and buildings
would collapse; storm surge flooding would cause major
damage to ground floor structures. Massive evacuation
of residential areas on low ground within 5-10 miles (8-16
km) of the shoreline may be required.
