Saffir-Simpson Scale

The following data is compiled from several sources including:
* Hurricane FAQ from the U.S. Atlantic Oceanographic and Meteorological Laboratory.
* The Tropical Prediction Center at the NOAA National Hurricane Center.
* See also the excellent animated graphics at USA Today and more in their Hurricane Resources Section.

Saffir-Simpson Scale for Hurricane Classification
Strength	Maximum sustained wind speed				Minimum surface pressure	Storm surge
	mph	km/hr	knots	m/s	millibars (or hPa)	ft	m
Category 1	74 - 95	119 - 153	64 - 82	33 - 42	> 980	3 - 5	1.0 - 1.7
Category 2	96 - 110	154 - 177	83 - 95	43 - 49	965 - 980	6 - 8	1.8 - 2.6
Category 3	111 - 130	178 - 209	96 - 113	50 - 58	945 - 965	9 - 12	2.7 - 3.8
Category 4	131 - 155	210 - 249	114 - 135	59 - 69	920 - 945	13 - 18	3.9 - 5.6
Category 5	> 155	> 249	> 135	> 69	< 920	> 18	> 5.6

NOTE: One knot is equal to 1.15 mph.

Hurricane Damage
Category	Damage Level	Description
1	MINIMAL	Damage primarily to shrubbery, trees, foliage, and unanchored 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.
2	MODERATE	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; some window and door damage. No major damage to buildings. Coast roads and low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 2 to 4 hours before arrival of hurricane center. Considerable damage to piers. Marinas flooded. Small craft in unprotected anchorages torn from moorings. Evacuation of some shoreline residences and low-lying areas required.
3	EXTENSIVE	Foliage torn from trees; large trees blown down. Practically all poorly constructed signs blown down. Some damage to roofing materials of buildings; some wind and door damage. Some structural damage to small buildings. Mobile homes destroyed. Serious flooding at coast and many smaller structures near coast destroyed; larger structures near coast damaged by battering waves and floating debris. Low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 3 to 5 hours before hurricane center arrives. Flat terrain 5 feet or less above sea level flooded inland 8 miles or more. Evacuation of low- lying residences within several blocks of shoreline possibly required.
4	EXTREME	Shrubs and trees blown down; all signs down. Extensive damage to roofing materials, windows and doors. Complete failures of roofs on many small residences. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Flat terrain 10 feet of less above sea level flooded inland as far as 6 miles. Major damage to lower floors of structures near shore due to flooding and battering by waves and floating debris. Low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 3 to 5 hours before hurricane center arrives. Major erosion of beaches. Massive evacuation of all residences within 500 yards of shore possibly required, and of single- story residences within 2 miles of shore.
5	CATASTROPHIC	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. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Major damage to lower floors of all structures less than 15 feet above sea level within 500 yards of shore. Low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 3 to 5 hours before hurricane center arrives. Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5 to 10 miles of shore possibly required.