The Hurricane Scale

When you hear a weather anchor talking about a hurricane being in a category from 1 to 5, he or she is referring to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale. It is a scale that group hurricanes by their wind speed. And from the wind speed, meteorologists can use it to determine the potential damage a hurricane can do. It was first used in hurricane advisories in 1975.

Category 1: 74-95 MPH

• Minimal damage
• No major damage to properly built structures
• Damage to unanchored shrubs and trees
• Evacuations maybe ordered for areas immediately adjacent to water.

Category 2: 96-100 MPH

• Moderate damage
• Some roof, door and window damage to buildings
• Considerable damages to shrubs and trees with some trees being blown down.
• Coastal and low lying areas flood 2 to 4 hours before arrival of the hurricane's center.
• Evacuations maybe ordered for areas near the water.

Category 3: 111-130 MPH

• Extensive damage
• Structural damage to residences is likely.
• Damage to shrubs and trees with foliage blown off. Large trees are blown down.
• Mobile homes and signs are destroyed.
• Low lying areas flood 3 to 5 hours before arrival of the hurricane's center.
• Small structures near coast are destroyed with larger structures being heavily damaged.
• Evacuations will be likely ordered for areas prone to storm-surge flooding.

Category 4: 131-155 MPH

• Extreme damage
• Complete roofs blown off some residences. Extensive exterior damages to large buildings.
• Shrubs, trees and all signs are blown down.
• Complete destruction of mobile homes.
• Major damage to lower floors of structures near the store.
• Some coastal buildings maybe washed away.
• Evacuations will be likely ordered for areas prone to storm-surge flooding.

Category 5: Higher than 155 MPH

• Catastrophic damage
• Complete roof failure on many residences and prefabricated buildings.
• Extensive damage to exposed glass on all large buildings.
• Some complete building failures.
• All shrubs, trees and signs are blown down.
• Complete destruction of mobile homes.
• Total destruction of all structures near the shoreline.