HAW: High Winds and Tornadoes
09:04 AM EDT - 22 May 2001
Today in Hurricane Awareness week the spotlight is on high winds and tornadoes. This is a good time to go over the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale.
Category | Windspeed & Pressure | Effects/Example |
1 |
74-95 mph >980 MB |
Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes,
shrubbery, and trees. Also, some coastal road flooding
and minor pier damage. Example: Hurricane Erin (1995) |
2 |
96-110 mph 965-679 MB |
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. Examples: Hurricane Bertha (1996), Georges (keys landfall) (1998) |
3 |
111-130 mph 945-964 MB |
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. Example: Hurricane Opal (1995), Hurricane Fran (1996) |
4 |
131-155 mph 920-944 MB |
More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof structure failure on small residences. Major erosion of beach areas. 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. Example: Hurricane Andrew (1992) |
5 |
155 + mph <920 MB |
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. Examples: Hurricane Camille (1969), Mitch (1998) |
- [mac]