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Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
This National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's disaster-potential scale defines the strength of a hurricane. This scale can be used to give an estimate of the potential property damage and flooding expected along the coast during a hurricane.
| Category | Definition | Effects |
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One
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Winds 74-95 mph
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No real damage to building structures. Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees. Some coastal road flooding and minor pier damage.
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Two
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Winds 96-110 mph
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Some roofing material, door, and window damage to buildings. Considerable damage to vegetation, mobile homes, and piers. Coastal and low-lying escape routes flood 2-4 hours before arrival of center. Small craft in unprotected anchorages break moorings.
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Three
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Winds 111-130 mph
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Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings with a minor amount of curtainwall failures. Mobile homes are destroyed. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by floating debris. Terrain continuously lower than 5 feet ASL may be flooded inland 8 miles or more.
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Four
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Winds 131-155 mph
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More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof structure failure on small residences. Major erosion of beach. Major damage to lower floors of structures near the shore. Terrain continuously lower than 10 feet ASL may be flooded requiring massive evacuation of residential areas inland as far as 6 miles.
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Five
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Winds greater than 155 mph
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Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. Major damage to lower floors of all structures located less than 15 feet ASL and within 500 yards of the shoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5 to 10 miles of the shoreline may be required.
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Here are some informative Internet sites that will provide you with further helpful information on hurricanes:
1. Hurricane City: Here you will find information for cities that are threatened by Atlantic hurricanes.
2. Atlantic Hurricane Information Network: Keep up to date on hurricane information.
3. Federal Emergency Management Agency: FEMA for Kids: Hurricane information and fun hurricane learning games for kids!
4. FEMA: Federal Emergency Management Agency: Find out a lot of information on hurricanes, from protecting your home to hurricane tracking charts.
Here are some informative books to read that deal with hurricane safety. Use Amazon.com's secure server to order:
 Eye of the Storm: Inside the World's Deadliest Hurricanes, Tornadoes, and Blizzards: - Jeffrey P. Rosenfeld Gain more knowledge about the strong forces behind mother nature, and the scientific studies that are being done. Buy it NOW through Amazon.com's secure server!
Click HERE or on the image of the books to give this gift to yourself or someone else!
Hurricane Survival Made Easy: A Guide for Hurricane Preparedness: - Morris I. Taite, Joe Masia (Editor). This book explains how to prepare for and survive a hurricane. Buy it now through Amazon.com's secure server!
Click HERE or on the image of the books to give this gift to yourself or someone else!
The safety information contained on these pages is provided as a courtesy to My ParenTime's visitors. My ParenTime makes no representations or guarantees concerning the effectiveness of such information. In no event shall My ParenTime be held liable for any failure of such safety information.
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