The 5 Categories Of Hurricanes
August 27, 2008
Hurricanes are classified into five categories (the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale) based on wind speed, central pressure, and damage potential. Here are the categories according to the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA):
| Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Scale Number (Category) |
Sustained Winds (MPH) |
Damage | Storm Surge |
| 1 | 74-95 | Minimal: Unanchored mobile homes, vegetation and signs. |
4-5 feet |
| 2 | 96-110 | Moderate: All mobile homes, roofs, small crafts, flooding. |
6-8 feet |
| 3 | 111-130 | Extensive: Small buildings, low-lying roads cut off. |
9-12 feet |
| 4 | 131-155 | Extreme: Roofs destroyed, trees down, roads cut off, mobile homes destroyed. Beach homes flooded. |
13-18 feet |
| 5 | More than 155 | Catastrophic: Most buildings destroyed. Vegetation destroyed. Major roads cut off. Homes flooded. |
Greater than 18 feet |
Source: FEMA
Related lists:
- States With Most Hurricanes
- Deadliest U.S. Hurricanes
- Deadliest Hurricanes in Texas History
- The 5 Categories Of Hurricanes
- What To Do in Hurricane-Force Winds
- Tips For Protecting Pets In An Emergency
0 responses so far ↓
There are no comments yet...Kick things off by filling out the form below.
You must log in to post a comment.