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Hurricane strength
By Times Staff
Published April 17, 2005
Hurricanes are classified according to wind speed and flooding. The Saffir-Simpson Scale has been used by meteorologists since 1969 as a way to compare damage tropical storms inflict.
CATEGORY 1
Winds 74 to 95 mph
Storm surge 4 to 5 feet above normal
Damage primarily to trees and unanchored mobile homes; some coastal flooding.
CATEGORY 2
Winds 96 to 110 mph
Storm surge 6 to 8 feet
Some damage to roofs, doors, windows, trees and shrubbery; flooding damage to piers.
CATEGORY 3
Winds 111 to 130 mph
Storm surge 9 to 12 ft.
Some structural damage; large trees blown down; flooding near shoreline and possibly inland; mobile homes destroyed.
CATEGORY 4
Winds 131 to 155 mph
Storm surge 13 to 18 feet
Extensive damage to doors and windows; major damage to lower floors near shore; terrain may be flooded well inland.
CATEGORY 5
More than 155 mph
Storm surge greter than 18 feet
Complete roof failure and some building failures; massive evacuation; flooding causes major damage to lower floors of all shoreline buildings.
Source: National Hurricane Center
[Last modified April 14, 2005, 10:49:09]
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