SAFFIR-SIMPSON SCALE FOR HURRICANES ----------------------------------- Wind Storm Press. Speed Surge Cat. (hps) (mph) (ft) Damage Type and Description ____________________________________________________________________________ 1 980+ 74- 95 4- 5 MINIMAL - Damage primarily to shrubbery, trees, foilage, and unanchored mobile homes. No real damage to other structures. Some damage to poorly constructed signs. And/or: Low-lying coastal roads inundated in storm surge, minor pier damage, some small craft in exposed anchorage torn from moorings. 2 965-980 96-110 6- 8 MODERATE - Considerable damage to shrubbery and tree foilage; some trees blown down. Major damage to roofing materials of buildings; some window and door damage. No major damage to buildings. And/or: Coastal roads and low- lying escape routes inland cut off by rising water 2 to 4 hours before arrival of hurricane center. Considerable damage ro piers; Marinas flooded. Small craft in unprotected anchorages torn from moorings. Evacuation of some shore- line residences and low-lying island areas required. 3 945-964 111-130 9-12 EXTENSIVE - Foilage torn from trees; large trees blown down. Practically all poorly constructed signs blown down. Some damage to roofing materials of buildings. Mobile homes destroyed. And/or: Serious flooding at coast and many smaller structures near coast destr- oyed; larger structures near coast damaged by battering waves and floating debris. Low- lying escape routes inland cut off 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. Evacu- ation of low-lying residences within several blocks of shoreline possibly required. 4 920-944 131-155 13-18 EXTREME - Shrubs and trees blown down; all signs blown down. Extensive damage to roofing materials, windows and doors. Complete fail- ure of roofs on many small residences. Com- plete destruction of mobile homes. And/or: Flat terrain 10 feet or less above sea level flooded inland as far as 6 miles. Major damage to lower debris. Low-lying escape routes in- land cut off by rising water 3 to 5 hours bef- ore hurricane center arrives. Major erosion of beaches. Massive evacuation of residences within 500 yards of shore possibly required, and of single-story residences on low-ground within 2 miles of shore. 5 <920 155+ 18+ 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 build- ings. Extensive shattering of glass in windows and doors. Some complete building failures. Small buildings overturned or blown away. Complete destruction of mobile homes. And/or: Low-lying escape routes inland cut off by ris- ing water 3 to 5 hours before hurricane center arrives. Massive evacuation of residential area on low ground within 5 to 10 miles of shore possibly required.