The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale rates hurricanes on a scale from 1 to 5 based on wind speed. It provides estimated potential property damage and coastal flooding expectations from a hurricane landfall.
| Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale | ||
| Category | Wind Speed (MPH) | Typical Damage |
| 1 | 74-95 | Storm surge 4-5 feet 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. |
| 2 | 96-110 | Storm surge 6-8 feet above normal. Some roofing material, door and window damage to 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 3-4 hours before the arrival of the storm center. Small craft in unprotected anchorages break moorings. |
| 3 | 111-130 | Storm surge 9-12 feet above normal. Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings, with a minor amount of curtain wall 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 the center of the hurricane arrives. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures, with larger structures damaged by flying debris. Inland flooding of terrain lower than 5 feet above mean sea level may extend 8 or more miles. Evacuation of residences within several blocks of a shoreline may be required. |
| 4 | 131-155 | Storm surge 13-18 feet above normal. More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof structure failures on small residences. Shrubs, trees, and all signs blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Low-lying escape routes may be cut 3-5 hours before the hurricane center arrives. Major damage to lower floors of structures near the shore. Flooding of terrain lower than 10 feet above mean sea level may extend up to 6 miles inland, requiring massive evacuations. |
| 5 | 155+ | Storm surge greater than 18 feet above normal. Complete roof failures on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures, with small utility buildings being blown over or away. All shrubs, trees, and signs blown down. Low-lying escape routes may be cut by rising water 3-5 hours prior to the hurricane center’s arrival. Major damage to lower floors of all structures located less than 15 feet above sea level and within 500 yards of the shoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5-10 miles of the shoreline may be required. |