Hurricane Category 1
Winds 74-95 mph
Storm Surge 4-5 feet
Damage primarily to shrubbery, trees, and unanchored
mobile homes. No real damage to other structures. Some damage to
poorly-constructed signs. Low-lying coastal roads inundated, minor pier
damage, some small craft in exposed anchorage torn from moorings
Hurricane
Category 2
Winds 96-110 mph
Storm Surge 6-8 feet
Considerable damage to shrubbery and tree foliage; some
trees blown down. Major damage to exposed mobile homes. Extensive damage
to poorly constructed signs; some damage to roofing materials of
buildings; and some window and door damage. No major damage to
buildings. Coastal roads and low-lying escape routes inland cut by
rising water two-four hours before arrival of the hurricane’s center.
Considerable damage to piers. Marinas flooded and small craft in
unprotected anchorages torn from moorings.
Hurricane
Category 3
Winds 111-130 mph
Storm Surge 9-12 feet
Foliage torn from trees; large trees blown down.
Practically all poorly-constructed signs blown down; some damage to
roofing materials of buildings; some window and door damage; and some
structural damage to small buildings. Mobile homes destroyed. Serious
flooding at coast and many smaller structures near coast destroyed;
low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water three-five hours
before the hurricane’s center arrives.
Hurricane
Category 4
Winds 131-155 mph
Storm Surge 13-18 feet
Shrubs and trees blown down; all signs down. Extensive
damage to roofing materials, windows and doors; complete failure of
roofs on many small residences; complete destruction of mobile homes.
Major damage to lower floors of structures near shore due to flooding
and battering by waves and floating debris.
Hurricane
Category 5
Winds 155+ mph
Storm Surge 18+ feet
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 buildings; extensive shattering of glass in windows and
doors; some complete building failures; small buildings overturned or
blown away and complete destruction of mobile homes. Low-lying escape
routes inland cut by rising water three-five hours before the
hurricane’s center arrives. |