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Measuring
Hurricane Size and Strength
 The
United States uses the Saffir-Simpson hurricane intensity
scale to rate hurricanes in the Atlantic and Northeast
Pacific. According to this scale there are five classes
of hurricanes.
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Category 1 - winds 74-95
miles per hour
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Category 2 - winds 96-110
miles per hour
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Category 3 - winds 111-130
miles per hour
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Category 4 - winds 131-155
miles per hour
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Category 5 - winds greater
than 155 miles per hour
Obviously, the stronger the wind the greater the
damage caused by hurricanes. Category 3, 4, and 5 hurricanes are
all considered major hurricanes. Major hurricanes cause over 83%
of the damage in the United States but they only account for 21%
of hurricane landfalls. Detailed information on hurricane categories
and potential damage can be found here.
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