The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Intensity Scale is used to categorize hurricane strength and potential damage. Public broadcasts generally include a hurricane’s category. This table shows the parameters (wind speed and storm surge), criteria, and expected damage of each category of hurricane. Note: Damage descriptions are provided in NOAA's "Hurricane and Disaster Brochure".
Category |
Wind Speed
km/hr mi/hr |
Storm Surge
m ft |
Damage |
1 |
119-154 74-95 |
1-2 4-5 |
Minimal |
2 |
155-178 96-110 |
2-3 6-8 |
Moderate |
3 |
179-210 111-130 |
3-4 9-12 |
Extensive |
4 |
211-250 131-155 |
4-6 13-18 |
Extreme |
5 |
>250 >155 |
>6 >18 |
Catastrophic |
Fortunately, there are very few Category 5 storms, most storms that achieve Category 5 status only hit Category 5 status for a very short time, then the winds subside to a less powerful level. Some of the strongest recent hurricanes (Atlantic Ocean tropical cyclones) that hit Category 5 status include:
Hurricane Wilma (October 2005) -- Gulf of Mexico, Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico, Cuba, and Southern Florida
Hurricane Rita (September 2005) -- hit Texas, Louisiana
Hurricane Katrina (August 2005) -- hit southern Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama
Hurricane Isabel (September 2003) -- hit North Carolina, Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.
Hurricane Gilbert (September 1988) -- hit Jamaica, Mexico
Hurricane Andrew (August 1992)-- hit southeastern Florida and southeastern Louisiana
Hurricane Mitch (October 1988) -- hit Honduras, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Guatemala
Hurricane Edith (1971) -- hit Nicaragua
Hurricane Camille (August 1969) -- hit Mississippi, SE Louisiana, and Virginia
Hurricane Janet (1955) -- hit Mexico, the Caribbean
"New England" Hurricane (September 1938) -- hit New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts (perhaps a Category 5 hurricane).
"Labor Day" Hurricane (September 1935) -- hit the Florida Keys.
Damage
| Category |
Damage Level |
Description |
Example |
| 1 |
MINIMAL |
Damage primarily to shrubbery, trees, foliage, and unanchored homes. No real damage to other structures. Some damage to poorly constructed signs. Low-lying coastal roads inundated, minor pier damage, some small craft in exposed anchorage torn from moorings. |
Hurricane Earl (1998) |
| 2 |
MODERATE |
Considerable damage to shrubbery and tree foliage; some trees blown down. Major damage to exposed mobile homes. Extensive damage to poorly constructed signs. Some damage to roofing materials of buildings; some window and door damage. No major damage to buildings. Coast roads and low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 2 to 4 hours before arrival of hurricane center. Considerable damage to piers. Marinas flooded. Small craft in unprotected anchorages torn from moorings. Evacuation of some shoreline residences and low-lying areas required. |
Hurricane Georges (1998) |
| 3 |
EXTENSIVE |
Foliage torn from trees; large trees blown down. Practically all poorly constructed signs blown down. Some damage to roofing materials of buildings; some wind and door damage. Some structural damage to small buildings. Mobile homes destroyed. Serious flooding at coast and many smaller structures near coast destroyed; larger structures near coast damaged by battering waves and floating debris. Low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 3 to 5 hours before hurricane center arrives. Flat terrain 5 feet or less above sea level flooded inland 8 miles or more. Evacuation of low- lying residences within several blocks of shoreline possibly required. |
Hurricane Fran (1996) |
| 4 |
EXTREME |
Shrubs and trees blown down; all signs down. Extensive damage to roofing materials, windows and doors. Complete failures of roofs on many small residences. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Flat terrain 10 feet of less above sea level flooded inland as far as 6 miles. Major damage to lower floors of structures near shore due to flooding and battering by waves and floating debris. Low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 3 to 5 hours before hurricane center arrives. Major erosion of beaches. Massive evacuation of all residences within 500 yards of shore possibly required, and of single- story residences within 2 miles of shore. |
Hurricane Andrew (1992) |
| 5 |
CATASTROPHIC |
Shrubs and trees blown down; considerable damage to roofs of buildings; all signs down. Very severe and extensive damage to windows and doors. Complete failure of roofs on many residences and industrial buildings. Extensive shattering of glass in windows and doors. Some complete building failures. Small buildings overturned or blown away. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Major damage to lower floors of all structures less than 15 feet above sea level within 500 yards of shore. Low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 3 to 5 hours before hurricane center arrives. Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5 to 10 miles of shore possibly required. |
Hurricane Camille (1969) |
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale from the National Hurricane Center.
Most Intense US Hurricanes from the National Hurricane Center.
Click here to view the costliest hurricanes in U.S. history.
Click here to view the deadliest hurricanes in U.S. history.
This is taken from http://www.wunderground.com/
The Deadliest, Costliest, and Most Intense United States Tropical Cyclones From 1851 to 2004, updated in August, 2005.
More Information About: The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
National Hurricane Center Publication: The Deadliest Atlantic Tropical Cyclones, 1492 - Present
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