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TROPICAL STORM
Winds of 39-73 mph |
HURRICANE WATCH
Possible threat to area within 24 to 36 hours |
HURRICANE WARNING
Hurricane conditions expected within 12-24 hours |
HURRICANE
Constant wind speed of 74 mph + |
STORM SURGE
Deadliest part of a hurricane |
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HURRICANE DAMAGE POTENTIAL SCALE
(Saffir/Simpson Scale)
| CATEGORY |
WINDS (mph) |
TIDES (feet) |
DAMAGES |
| 1 |
74-95 |
4 -5 |
Minimal |
| 2 |
96-110 |
6-8 |
Moderate |
| 3 |
111-130 |
9-12 |
Extensive |
| 4 |
131-155 |
13-18 |
Extreme |
| 5 |
156 + |
18 + |
Catastrophic |
Measures Strength and Impact of a Hurricane
Minimal
- Damage to shrubs and tree foliage
- Damage to unanchored mobile homes
- No real damage to other structures
- Low-lying coastal roads flooded
- Minor pier damage
- Small boats in exposed areas torn from moorings
Moderate
- Some small trees uprooted
- Major damage to mobile homes
- Some damage to roof materials
- Considerable damage to piers and marinas flooded
- Coastal roads and low-lying escape routes cut off
- Evacuation of shoreline homes in low-lying areas
Extensive
- Large trees blown down
- Mobile homes destroyed
- Damage to roofs, windows and doors
- Structural damage to small buildings
- Major beach erosion and coastal flooding
- Possible evacuation of residents within 500 yards of shore
- Possible evacuation of low-lying one-story homes within 2 miles of shore
Extreme
- Signs blown down
- Mobile Homes Destroyed
- Complete failure of roofs on small homes
- Flat terrain less than 10 ft above sea level flooded
Catastrophic
- Massive evacuation of low-lying areas within 5-10 miles of shore
- Major damage to structures less than 15 ft above sea level near shore
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