The Saffir-Simpson Scale uses a hurricane’s sustained wind speeds to determine it’s danger and potential damage. It measures how strong a hurricane is expected to be. And it ranks it in categories from a category one to a category five. Hurricanes begin as tropical storms, and then transition to hurricanes after a storm reaches 74-mile-per-hour winds.
Every hurricane is dangerous, regardless the category it is. However, the Saffir-Simpson Scale gives people an idea of a hurricane’s severity and potential damage. Sustained winds of a hurricane are consistent. They can batter land and water bodies. And they are accompanied by extreme rain (and sometimes sleet) as well as storm surge and flooding. Hurricane winds can cause the bulk of destruction for homes, businesses, streets, and powerlines in a hurricane’s path. Flooding and water damage are also extremely damaging and deadly. However, they are not accounted for in the Saffir-Simpson scale.
Understanding the potential impact of each hurricane category is essential for preparedness. However, you should prepare your home and family for every tropical depression, even tropical storms.
Keep reading as we discuss hurricane categories, the potential damage of each. This information should allow you to better prepare based on the prospective damage.
Damage Potential by Hurricane Categories
Category 1 (74 to 95mph): Some Damage
Category 1 hurricanes are characterized by “very dangerous winds” strong winds that can cause some damage. These winds can shake trees and snap big branches as well as knock over trees that aren’t well rooted. The wind speeds can peel off roof shingles and take down power lines. Winds can also push ocean waves onto seaside roads, causing flooding. Although it is categorized as the weakest hurricane, it can still cause significant issues. This includes causing power outages for large populations of people for several days or longer.
Category 2 (96 to 110mph): Extensive Damage
Category 2 hurricanes have extremely dangerous winds that are intense enough to cause extensive damage. A category 2 hurricane is capable of causing major roof and siding damage to frame homes, rip away siding and paneling, knock down trees, and block roads with debris. The winds can damage power lines, snapping them in half and causing complete power-outages for hundreds of thousands of people for up to weeks. This storm can also cause severe flooding and storm surge resulting in floods into homes, businesses, and streets.
Category 3 (111 to 129mph): Extreme Damage; Major Hurricane
Category 3 hurricanes are powerful and intense, and can cause devastating damage. This category of hurricane can cause major structural damage to frame houses, including removal of roofs, gable ends, and decking of the roof. These devastating winds can also uproot and displace trees from one area to another. Electricity and water could be shut down for weeks. These strong winds can bring water up from the oceans to cause significant swells that can damage infrastructure, properties, and also threaten lives.
Category 4 (130 to 156mph): Catastrophic Damage; Major Hurricane
Category 4 hurricanes have winds that cause catastrophic damage to affected areas due to the intense strength of sustained winds and accompanied storm surge and flooding. Widespread power outages lasting for weeks to months are to be expected, and extreme storm surge and flooding are likely. Homes are likely to sustain major damage, including the loss of roof, foundational damage, and even exterior wall damage. Many if not most trees will be uprooted. Roadways will be blocked, making it very difficult to get in and out of towns. These hurricanes are severe, unstoppable forces that drastically change everything in their path. They have the potential to make the majority of an area unlivable for long periods of time.
Category 5 (157mph or higher): Severe Catastrophic Damage
Category 5 hurricanes are the strongest hurricanes on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. Their sustained and severely dangerous winds can destroy framed homes and buildings, causing roof removal and wall collapse. They also have the ability to crumble infrastructure. Many if not most trees will be uprooted, blocking roadways and isolating areas. The hurricane will destroy power lines leading to complete power outages lasting weeks to months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months. In turn, residents may not be able to return to their homes for weeks, months, or ever after a Category five hurricane.
Additional Considerations: Storm Surge and Flooding Rain
The Saffir-Simpson scale ranks hurricanes and provides potential damage for each hurricane category based on sustained wind speed. High winds pose significant risks during hurricanes. But they are often accompanied by torrential rainfall, which can cause prolonged and severely damaging flooding. Hurricanes can cause storm surge, which pull water up from the ocean and push it in giant waves toward land. As a result, damage from storm surge and flooding can cause additional, devastating damage.
Storm surge is defined by the NOAA as a rise of water that is generated by a tropical cyclone. This water can flood city streets, trapping people in homes and causing panic and potentially lives. In 2005 Hurricane Katrina brought storm surges of 16-30 feet along the Mississippi coastline. Unfortunately, this is far from the only example. The National Hurricane Center states that storm surge levels can reach 20 feet or higher during a hurricane.
Storm surge damage is typically considered alonside wind speeds. This allows local Florida officials to send out immediate evacuation orders as necessary. It is important to follow the evacuation orders if you are affected. This is because storm surge can be devastating and dangerous to both life and property.
Ensure your safety and that of your loved ones by remaining constantly updated and alert. Sign up for weather alerts, local mass communication services, pay attention on social media, and listen to the radio. Don’t put yourself and your household in danger by ignoring evacuation orders.
Further, protect your items before a storm surge event happens. You can use waterproof containers and waterproof bags to store emergency supplies. You can also use them to prevent water damage to important belongings you have to leave behind.
How to Prepare Your Household for Hurricanes
Do you live in an area prone to hurricanes? If so, storm preparedness is paramount to the safety and security of your family. The first thing to do is create an emergency plan. This should include a plan for evacuation and preparation for a natural disaster. Before hurricane season pack emergency kits for each household member in backpacks (“go bags”). Buy supplies well before a storm hits to ensure you can source everything you need. Ensure pets, babies, and those with disabilities or functional needs are prepared with any extra requirements.
Practice hurricane drills with your family. As strange as it may seem it is better to be prepared. Every household member should be expected to know what to do in the event of an approaching hurricane.
Know the difference between a hurricane watch vs hurricane warning. Watches are when a hurricane is possible in an area. Hurricane warnings are when a hurricane is expected to occur in a certain area. It means a hurricane is imminent, and you should prepare your shelter or listen and be prepared for evacuation orders.
You can read our preparation guide for more information: Hurricane Preparation: How to Prepare for a Hurricane in Southwest Florida
Preparing for the Worst: Safety Tips for Hurricanes of Any Category
Understanding the potential damage of each hurricane category can help you better prepare for a hurricane. No matter what hurricane category, there are things you should do to better hurricane proof your home as well as your family. Before hurricane season it is good to trim trees around your home and fix damaged items around your house that have the potential to be blown away. One of the most vulnerable areas of your home are your “glass openings”, such as windows and doors (including garage doors). Reinforcing these openings with either Eurex Shutters hurricane shutters or impact windows and doors (alongside impact garage doors) will protect your home and family.
Pack supplies of bottled water, non-perishable snacks, and warm blankets, then hunker down in your safe space to wait out the storm until local officials declare safety. Prepare hurricane prep kits for your household with one backpack per person, each containing supplies for at least three days of shelter. Run household drills twice yearly (or more) to ensure everyone is prepared in emergencies where you must act quickly.
If you need to evacuate, listen for orders and lie low until you can get to a safe shelter, preferably outside the hurricane zone. Always have an escape route with a plan on where you can go and how to safely get there with your household members and essential emergency items.
Check social media weather channels often or stay connected with NOAA Weather Radio for reliable updates. Remaining updated on a hurricane’s status can help you and your loved ones stay safe and secure during the storm.
Contact the Eurex Shutters team for help to protect your home from potential hurricanes!
Or call (239) 369-8600 for immediate service.
