| Cat |
Damage
Level |
Wind
Speed |
Type
of Damage Done |
| 1 |
Minimal |
74-95
mph |
No real damage
to building structures. Damage primarily to unanchored
mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees. Also, some coastal
road flooding and minor pier damage |
| 2 |
Moderate |
96-110
mph |
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. |
| 3 |
Extensive |
111-130
mph |
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
ASL may be flooded inland 8 miles or more. |
| 4 |
Extreme |
131-155
mph |
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 continuously lower than 10 feet
ASL may be flooded
requiring massive evacuation of residential areas inland
as far as 6 miles. |
| 5 |
Catastrophic |
156+
mph |
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. |
