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InfoCenter: Summary of the 5 Hurricane categories
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Intensity Scale
Herbert Saffir a Florida engineer specializing in wind damage to buildings and Robert Simpson then director of NHC developed
a scale in the 1970's to rate the strength & destructive power of a hurricane.
Click here to see detailed definitions for each category
CLICK Here or SCROLL DOWN to see NAVY INFO CARDCategory One- A Minimal Hurricane
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Winds: 74-95 mph
Minimum surface pressure: higher than 980 mbar
Storm surge: 3-5 ft
Example: Hurricane Jerry (1989)
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At around 90+ miles asphalt shingles start to flip up
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Category Two- A Moderate Hurricane
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Winds: 96-110 mph
Minimum surface pressure: 979-965 mbar
Storm surge: 6-8 ft.
Example: Hurricane Bob (1991)
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At around 100mph asphalt shingles start to rip in two...
at 110m mph non nailed down ceramic tiles start to lift up...
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Category Three- An Extensive Hurricane
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Winds: 111-130 mph
Minimum surface pressure: 964-945 mbar
Storm surge: 9-12 ft
Example: Hurricane Gloria (1985)
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At 111 mph and higher the hurricane can punch the air out of your lungs if you're outdoors... non- nailed down ceramic tiles are quickly being flown away
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Category Four- An Extreme Hurricane
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Winds 131-155 mph
Minimum surface pressure: 944-920 mbar
Storm surge: 13-18 ft.
Example: Hurricane Andrew (1992)
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Category Five- A Catastrophic Hurricane
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Winds: greater than 155 mph
Minimum surface pressure: lower than 920 mbar
Storm surge: higher than 18 ft.
Example: Hurricane Camille (1969) - Ivan (2004)
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Click here to see detaile definitions for each category
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Click here to see detailed descriptions of each HURRICANE category
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