Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
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This scale was developed in the early 1970s by Herbert Saffir, a consulting engineer in Coral Gables, Florida, and Dr. Robert Simpson, then director of the National Hurricane Center. The scale is based primarily on wind speeds and includes estimates of barometric pressure and storm surge associated with each of the five categories. It is used to give an estimate of the potential property damage and flooding expected along the coast from a hurricane landfall.
| Category | Winds | Surge | Central Pressure |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 - Minimal | 74 - 95 mph or 64 - 83 kts | 4 - 5 feet | greater than 980 mb or 28.94 in Examples: Florence 1988 LA Charley 1988 NC |
| 2 - Moderate | 96 - 110 mph or 65 - 96 kts | 6 - 8 feet | 965 - 979 mb or 28.50 - 28.91 in. Examples: Kate 1985 FL Bob 1991 NY |
| 3 - Extensive | 111 - 130 mph or 97 - 113 kts | 9 - 12 feet | 945 - 964 mb or 27.91 - 28.47 in Example: Alicia 1983 TX |
| 4 - Extreme | 131 - 155 mph or 114 - 135 kts | 13 - 18 feet | 920 - 944 mb or 27.17 - 27.88 in Examples: Andrew 1992 FL Hugo 1989 NC |
| 5 - Catastrophic | greater than 155 mph or 135 kts | greater than 18 feet | less than 920 mb or 27.17 in Examples: Camille 1969 MS Labor Day Hurricane 1935 FL Keys |
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