What Are The Different Categories Of A Hurricane?

8/23/2019 (Permalink)

Categories 1- 5 determine how strong a hurricane is.

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale is what is used to determine the strength of a Hurricane.

Here are the 5 Categories that let us know what to expect when it comes to hurricane strength and damage.

Category 1:

Winds 74 to 95 miles per hour. Damage mostly to shrubbery, trees, and unanchored mobile homes; no real damage to other structures. Some damage to poorly constructed signs. Some pier damage; some small craft in exposed anchorages torn from moorings.

Category 2:

Winds 96 to 110 miles per hour. Considerable damage to shrubbery and trees, some trees will be blown down. Major damage to exposed mobile homes; most likely no major damage to buildings; some damage to roofing materials of buildings; some window and door damage. Extensive damage to poorly constructed signs. Considerable damage to piers, marinas flooded. Small craft in protected anchorages may be torn from moorings.

Category 3:

Winds 111 to 129 miles per hour. Foliage is torn from trees, large trees could be blown down. Mobile homes destroyed, some structural damage to small buildings; some damage to roofing materials of buildings; some window and door damage. Practically all poorly constructed signs blown down. Storm surges 9 to 12 feet above normal tide heights and an increased chance of river flooding.

Category 4:

Winds 130 to 156 miles per hour. Shrubs and trees could be blown down; all signs down. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Extensive damage to roofing materials, windows, and doors. Complete failure of roofs on small buildings. Major damage to lower floors of near-shore structures due to flooding and battering by waves and floating debris. Some damage to upper units of buildings close to the impact zone due to wind-driven rain.

Category 5:

Winds greater than 157 miles per hour. Shrubs and trees will be blown down; all signs down. Extensive shattering of glass in windows and doors; complete failure of roofs on many residences and industrial buildings. Complete destruction of mobile homes; small buildings overturned or blown down; some complete failures of other structures. Very dangerous storm damage to basically everything in its direct path!

This information is served to educate you now before a storm comes and helps you evaluate what plan of action you need to take.

If you sustain damage from a hurricane, tropical or severe thunderstorm call SERVPRO ASAP!