The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale is the scale used to classify storms stronger than “tropical storms” and “tropical depressions”. It separates hurricanes into five categories based on their sustained wind speeds, storm surge and barometric pressure. To be classified as a hurricane, a storm has to have sustained winds which are 74mph or more.
The highest classification on the Saffir-Simpson scale is category 5 and is reserved for storms which have windsof more than 155mph. The US National Hurricane Center tells us that hurricanes of category 3 or above are classified as major hurricanes.
The classifications are primarily intended for measuring potential flooding and damage that a hurricane will cause when itarrives on land. The scale is only used to describe hurricanes which form in the Atlantic Ocean and north Pacific Ocean East of the International Date Line (IDL). Other areas utilize different scales to classify storms, and they are known as “cyclones” or “typhoons”, depending on which area they are in.
History of the Saffir-Simpson Scale
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale was first developed in 1971 by meteorologist Robert Simpson and civil engineer Herbert Saffir. It can be said that the scale started coming into existence in 1969, when Saffir was commissioned by the United States to study low-cost housing in areas which were hurricane prone.
While he was conducting the study, Saffir realized that there was not a simple scale which could be used to describe the likely effects of a hurricane. Mirroring the Richter magnitude scale for describing the strength ofearthquakes, he came up with a 1-5 scale based on the speed of the wind, that showed what damage should be expected to structures. Saffir went on to give the scale to the National Hurricane Center, and Robert Simpson, the director at the time, added the effects of flooding and storm surge.
Category 1
Sustained winds: 74-95 mph
Very dangerous winds that will produce some damage. Homes may have damage to roof, shingles and gutters. Large tree branches will snap, and shallow rooted trees might be toppled. Extensive damage to power lines will likely result in power outages that might last as long as several days.
Category 2
Sustained winds 96-110 mph
Extremely dangerous winds which will cause extensive damage. Well-constructed houses might sustain major siding and roof damage. Shallowly rooted trees will often snap and block roads. Almost total power less should be expected with outages that might last to several weeks.
Category 3
Sustained winds 111-129 mph
Damage of a devastating nature will occur. Well built homes might have major damage, with removal of gable ends and roof decking. Trees can be snapped or uprooted. Electricity and water will not be available for up to a few weeks after the storm passes. Tropical cyclones of category 3 or higher are described as major hurricanes.
Category 4
Sustained winds 130-156 mph
Catastrophic damage occurs. Homes can experience severe damage with loss of most of the roof and some exterior walls. Most trees will be either uprooted or snapped with power poles downed. Fallen trees will isolate residential areas. Power outages canlast months. Most of the area can remain uninhabitable for months.
Category 5
Sustained winds 157 mph or higher
A large percentage of homes will be destroyed, with complete roof failure and wall collapse. Fallen power poles and trees isolate residential areas. Power outages can last as long as months. Most of the area will not behabitable for a number of weeks or months. This is the highest category of the scale.
The secret to a long life ..
Of course, in the highest categories of hurricanes, the only rational thing left to do is to leave the area immediately and expect to be away from home for a long period of time. However, for the lower categories ofhurricane, the difference between having protected yourself and not is massive.
If you live in a hurricane prone area, besure to have impact doors, specifically hurricane impact doors. These, combined with hurricane impact windows, could mean the difference between your house being completely ravaged by the storm, and being left in more or less than condition that it was in before the storm came to town.
Plan ahead
