Hurricane Category

9/18/2020 (Permalink)

Hurricane Saffir-Simpson Scale

Each year on average, 10 tropical storms develop over the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, or Gulf of Mexico.  About five hurricanes strike the United States coastline every three years. Of these five, two will usually be major hurricanes. The Saffir-Simpson Scale can be used to give an estimate of the potential property damage and flooding expected along the coast because of hurricane activity. Each category includes wind speeds and expected effects. Listed below is what can be expected by category of a Hurricane.

• Category One
  Wind Speed 74 - 95 mph
• Effects: No real damage to building structures. Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees. Also, some coastal road flooding and minor pier damage.
• Category Two
  Wind Speed 96 - 110 mph
• Effect: 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.
• Category Three
  Wind Speed 111 - 130 mph
• Effect: Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings with a minor amount of curtain wall 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 above sea level (ASL) may be flooded inland 8 miles or more.
• Category Four
  Wind Speed 131 – 155 mph
• Effect: More extensive curtain wall failures with some complete roof structure failure on small residences. Major erosion of beach. Major damage to lower floors of structures near the shore. Terrain that is continuously lower than 10 feet ASL may be flooded requiring massive evacuation of residential areas inland as far as 6 miles.

Category Five
               Wind Speed 155 mph – or greater

• Effect: 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.

  After the Storm

If you have weathered the Storm and have damage leave the clean up to the professionals.  As a leader in storm and water damage restoration, SERVPRO of The Quad Cities has the specialized training and expertise to restore your home back to its pre-storm condition. Our restoration process puts an emphasis on scientific drying techniques, progress monitoring and documentation. With over 1700 Franchises we are prepared for catastrophic storms and major events.