The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale

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
and the shape of the coastline, 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 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. Hurricane Lili of 2002 made landfall on the Louisiana coast
as a Category One hurricane. Hurricane Gaston of 2004 was a Category One hurricane that made landfall along the central
South Carolina coast.

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. Hurricane Frances of 2004 made
landfall over the southern end of Hutchinson Island, Florida as a Category Two hurricane. Hurricane Isabel of 2003 made
landfall near Drum Inlet on the Outer Banks of North Carolina as a Category 2 hurricane.

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. Hurricanes Jeanne and Ivan of 2004 were Category Three hurricanes when they made
landfall in Florida and in Alabama, respectively.

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).
Hurricane Charley of 2004 was a Category Four hurricane made landfall in Charlotte County, Florida with winds of 150 mph.
Hurricane Dennis of 2005 struck the island of Cuba as a Category Four hurricane.

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. Only 3 Category
Five Hurricanes have made landfall in the United States since records began: The Labor Day Hurricane of 1935, Hurricane
Camille (1969), and Hurricane Andrew in August, 1992. The 1935 Labor Day Hurricane struck the Florida Keys with a minimum
pressure of 892 mb--the lowest pressure ever observed in the United States. Hurricane Camille struck the Mississippi Gulf
Coast causing a 25-foot storm surge, which inundated Pass Christian. Hurricane Andrew of 1992 made landfall over southern
Miami-Dade County, Florida causing 26.5 billion dollars in losses--the costliest hurricane on record. In addition, Hurricane
Gilbert of 1988 was a Category Five hurricane at peak intensity and is the strongest Atlantic tropical cyclone on record
with a minimum pressure of 888 mb.

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