| The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Damage Potential Scale was developed at the National Hurricane Center
in the early 1970's. |
Category |
Wind speed range |
Central Pressure |
Storm surge |
Damage level |
| 1 |
74 to 95 mph (119
to 153 kph) (64 to 82 knots) |
greater than 28.93
in.
(980 mb) |
4 to 5 ft
(1.5 m) |
minimal: trees
and shrubs damaged, unanchored mobile homes damaged. |
| 2 |
96 to 110 mph (154 to 177 kph) (83 to 95 knots) |
28.50 to 28.91 in.
(965 to 979 mb) |
6 to 8 ft
(2.0 -
2.5 m) |
moderate: trees blown down, some damage to buildings. |
| 3 |
111 to 130 mph (178 to 209 kph) (96 to 113 knots) |
27.91 to 28.47 in.
(945 to 964 mb) |
9 to 12 ft
(2.5 to
4.0 m) |
extensive: large
trees blown down, mobile homes destroyed, structural damage to small buildings. |
| 4 |
131 to 155 mph (210 to 249 kph) (114 to 135 knots) |
27.17 to 27.88 in.
(920 to 944 mb) |
13 to 18 ft
(4.0 to 5.5 m) |
extreme: complete destruction of mobile homes, damage to windows, doors, and roofs of buildings,
flooding for several miles (kilometers) inland. |
| 5 |
greater than 155 mph (249 kph) (135 knots) |
less than 27.17 in.
(920 mb) |
greater than 18 ft
(5.5 m) |
catastrophic: small buildings destroyed, severe damage to large buildings, extensive
inland flooding. |