The Saffir-Simpson Scale - FOX19.com-Cincinnati News, Weather & Sports

The Saffir-Simpson Scale

SAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE

Category

Winds (mph)

Damage

South Carolina Examples

1

74 - 95

Minimal

Bob (1985)

2

96 - 110

Moderate

Fran (1996)

3

111 - 130

Extensive

David (1979)

4

131 - 155

Extreme

Hugo (1989)

5

> 155

Catastrophic

None

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 along the coast from a hurricane landfall. Wind speed is the determining factor in the scale, as storm surge values are highly dependent on the slope of the continental shelf in the landfall region. Note that all winds are using the U.S. 1-minute average.
 

Category One Hurricane: 

  • Winds 74-95 mph (64-82 knots).
  • Storm surge generally 4-5 ft above normal.
  • Air pressure: 980+ mb.
  • No real damage to building structures. Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees. Some damage to poorly constructed signs. Also, some coastal road flooding and minor pier damage.
  • Hurricanes Allison of 1995 and Danny of 1997 were Category One hurricanes at peak intensity. 

Category Two Hurricane: 

  • Winds 96-110 mph (83-95 knots).
  • Storm surge generally 6-8 feet above normal.
  • Air pressure: 965-979 mb.
  • Some roofing material, door, and window damage of buildings. Considerable damage to shrubbery and trees with some trees blown down. Considerable damage to mobile homes, poorly constructed signs, and piers. Coastal and low-lying escape routes flood 2-4 hours before arrival of the hurricane center. Small craft in unprotected anchorages break moorings.
  • Hurricane Bertha of 1998 was a Category Two hurricane when it hit the North Carolina coast, while Hurricane Georges of 1998 was a Category Two Hurricane when it hit the Florida Keys and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. 

Category Three Hurricane: 

  • Winds 111-130 mph (96-113 knots).
  • Storm surge generally 9-12 ft above normal.
  • Air pressure: 945-964 mb.
  • Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings with a minor amount of curtainwall failures. Damage to shrubbery and trees with foliage blown off trees and large tress blown down. Mobile homes and poorly constructed signs are destroyed. Low-lying escape routes are cut off by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the hurricane center. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by battering of floating debris. Terrain continuously lower than 5 ft above mean sea level may be flooded inland 8 miles (13 km) or more. Evacuation of low-lying residences with several blocks of the shoreline may be required.
  • Hurricanes Roxanne of 1995, Fran of 1996, and Bonnie of 1998 were Category Three hurricanes at landfall on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and in North Carolina, respectively. 

Category Four Hurricane: 

  • Winds 131-155 mph (114-135 knots).
  • Storm surge generally 13-18 ft above normal.
  • Air pressure: 920-944 mb.
  • More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof structure failures on small residences. Shrubs, trees, and all signs are blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Extensive damage to doors and windows. Low-lying escape routes may be cut off by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the hurricane center. Major damage to lower floors of structures near the shore. 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 Luis of 1995 was a Category Four hurricane while moving over the Leeward Islands. Hurricanes Felix and Opal of 1995 also reached Catgeory Four status at peak intensity.

Category Five Hurricane: 

  • Winds greater than 155 mph (135 knots).
  • Storm surge generally greater than 18 ft above normal.
  • Air pressure: less than 920 mb.
  • Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. All shrubs, trees, and signs blown down. Complete destructon of mobile homes. Severe and extensive window and door damage. Low-lying escape routes are cut off by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the hurricane center. Major damage to lower floors of all structures located less than 15 ft above sea level and within 500 yards of the shoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5-10 miles (8-16 km) of the shoreline may be required.
  • Hurricane Mitch of 1998 was a Category Five hurricane at peak intensity over the western Caribbean. Hurricane Gilbert of 1988 was a Category Five hurricane at peak intensity and is the strongest Atlantic tropical cyclone of record. 

Courtesy of the National Weather Service & National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration