When the experts say a Category 5 Hurricane landed, what does that mean? The reference is to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale, which catagorizes hurricanes according to the severity of wind, storm surge and other observable characteristics. Here is how the scale and what it means.
| Category 1: Minimal |
| Maximum Sustained Winds 64-82 Knots 74-95 MPH |
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| Storm Surge 3-5 feet |
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| Observables |
| Some damage to shrubbery, trees, poorly constructed signs. Little real damage to anchored buildings. Low-lying roads and shoreline areas inundated. Small craft in exposed anchorage may be torn from moorings.
Examples: Irene (Florida, 1999); Allison (Mississippi, 1995) |
| Category 2: Moderate |
| Maximum Sustained Winds 83-95 Knots 96-100 MPH |
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| Storm Surge 6-8 feet |
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| Observables |
| Damage to building roofs, doors and windows, signs. Much damage to exposed mobile homes. Most small craft in unprotected areas will be torn from moorings. Most marinas will be flooded. Evacuation of shore and low-lying areas required, as escape routes from the coast will be under water before the eye of the storm hits. Most buildings will not sustain major damage.
Examples: Bonnie (Florida, 1998); Gloria (Florida, 1985) |
| Category 3: Extensive |
| Maximum Sustained Winds 96-113 Knots 111-130 MPH |
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| Storm Surge 9-12 feet |
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| Observables |
| Most leaves, many trees, mobile homes and all but solidly built signs gone. Structural damage to small buildings near coast. Damage to windows, doors and roofs of well-built buildings. Low-lying escape routes cut by flooding three to five hours before eye of storm arrives. Low terrain flooded for eight miles or more inland.
Examples: Fran (Florida, 1900); Betsy (Florida, 1965) |
| Category 4: Extreme |
| Maximum Sustained Winds 114-136 Knots 131-155 MPH |
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| Storm Surge 13-18 feet |
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| Observables |
| Most shrubs, many trees, most signs blown down. Extensive roof damage, including complete loss of many roofs. Mobile homes destroyed. Flooding inland to terrain more than 10 feet above sea level. Major damage to buildings near shore from flooding and battering by waves and debris. Low-lying escape routes cut by flooding, erosions and bridge damage three to five hours before eye of storm arrives. Major beach erosion. Residential areas within a quarter mile or shore, and one-story buildings within two miles or shore, should be evacuated three to five hours before landfall.
Examples: Hugo (Carolinas, 1969); Donna (Florida, 1960) |
| Category 5: Catastrophic |
| Maximum Sustained Winds more than 136 Knots or 156 MPH |
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| Storm Surge more than 19 feet |
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| Observables |
| All of the above, plus very severe damage, including extensive glass shattering to windows and doors of even well-constructed buildings. Complete roof failure at many residences and industrial buildings. Many buildings collapsed, blown over or washed away. Major damage to lower floors of all buildings less than 15' above sea level within a quarter mile of shore. Massive evacuation may be required, but may not be ordered until too late, resulting in increased inconvenience, injury and loss of life. These catastrophic hurricanes are relatively rare, but account for more than 83% of hurricane damage.
Examples: Andrew (Florida, 1992); Katrina (Louisiana, 2005) |
