Template:Saffir-Simpson full
| Category | Windspeed & Pressure* | Effects/Example |
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Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees. Also, some coastal road flooding and minor pier damage. Example: Hurricane Erin (1995), Gaston (2004), Humberto (2007) |
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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), Frances, Jeanne (2004) |
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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), Ivan (2004) |
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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 Charley (2004), Katrina (2005) |
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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), Andrew (1992). Michael (2018) |
Not included in the chart, but also important are: Tropical Depressions (30-40MPH) warm core systems, and Tropical Storms (40-74MPH).
* - The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is based on Windspeed alone, the pressures are only included as a general reference and may not always apply (Surrounding atmosphere at degree of pressure gradient can adjust these numbers by as much as 25+/-). Storm Surge also does not apply, as it is mostly a function of hurricane wind field size and coastal depth and and shape.