On the Saffir simpson scale a tropical cyclone is classified in relation to its maximum windspeed. From this, we derive all the related components of the system (storm surge, etc). I realize that it is somewhat more complicated than that, but this is at least how it is from the public’s perception …which is where the scale was designed to register in the first place. Once the storm makes landfall, the intensity can be re-evaluated by looking at the damage caused, much like how they rate tornadoes on the Fujita scale.
My question is, to what building code is the Saffir Simpson scale based upon?
I think it was devised sometime in the early 70’s, but does it take into account the ever-changing building codes in a given area (for example, houses are built considerably different in Miami that they are in, say, New Jersey)?
Thinking along these lines, I came to the conclusion that the system may be flawed in other respects. Classification based on wind damage may not be the best approach for such a multifaceted natural disaster, which deals with intense rainfall and surge, as well as wind. For example, Charley was stronger at landfall at the barrier islands around Captiva and Punta Gorda, yet you could ride the storm out at the coast (granted you had something along the lines of a military bunker) with little difficulty. However I would never even think of camping out around the Fl panhandle/Gulf Shores coast when Ivan, a weaker storm, made landfall. Case in point, the surge and therefore immediate costal damage was far greater, yet the impact of Ivan was somewhat dampened by his lower status on the Saffir Simpson scale. Should the scale, then, be revised to accommodate the unique properties of every hurricane?
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