Saffir–Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale

Category One Hurricane: Winds 74-95 mph (64-82 kt or 119-153 km/hr). Storm surge

generally 4-5 ft above normal. 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.

Category Two Hurricane: Winds 96-110 mph (83-95 kt or 154-177 km/hr). Storm surge

generally 6-8 feet above normal. 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.

Category Three Hurricane: Winds 111-130 mph (96-113 kt or 178-209 km/hr). Storm surge

generally 9-12 ft above normal. 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 trees blown down. Mobile homes and poorly constructed

signs are destroyed. Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before

arrival of the center of the hurricane. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures

with larger structures damaged by battering from 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.

Category Four Hurricane: Winds 131-155 mph (114-135 kt or 210-249 km/hr). Storm surge

generally 13-18 ft above normal. 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 by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the

hurricane. 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).

Category Five Hurricane: Winds greater than 155 mph (135 kt or 249 km/hr). Storm surge

generally greater than 18 ft above normal. 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 destruction of mobile homes.

Severe and extensive window and door damage. Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising

water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane. 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.