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| The Saffir-Simpson wind scale places a hurricane in one of five categories according to its strength. Category one is the weakest hurricane strength measured and category five is the strongest measured. The strength of a hurricane is determined by how fast the winds are blowing. The height of the storm surge depends on the slope of the continental shelf connected to the area where the storm will strike. Wind speeds less than 74 miles an hour are measured according to the Beufort Wind Scale. | |||
| Strength | Intensity | Wind Speed | Damage |
| Category One | Gale
Force storm surge 4-5 feet above normal |
74 - 95 mph | No real damage to building structures. Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees. Also, some coastal flooding and minor pier damage |
| Category Two | Moderate
Force storm surge 6-8 feet above normal |
96-110 mph | Some roofing material, door, and window damage. Considerable damage to vegetation, mobile homes, etc. Flooding damages piers and small craft in unprotected moorings may break their moorings. |
| Category Three | Significant
Force storm surge 9-12 feet above normal |
111-130 mph | 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 may be flooded well inland. |
| Category Four | Category
Four storm surge 13-18 feet above normal |
131-155 mph | More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof structure failure on small residences. Major erosion of beach areas. Terrain may be flooded well inland. |
| Category Five | Incredible Force storm surge is 18 or more feet above normal |
Winds : 155+ mph | Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. Flooding causes major damage to lower floors of all structures near the shoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas may be required.red |
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