Hurricane Categories

The Saffir-Simpson scale

Tropical Storm
Winds 39-73 mph | 35-64 kt | 17,5-32,4 m/s | 63-118 km/h

Category 1 Hurricane
Winds 74-95 mph | 64-82 kt | 32,5-42,4 m/s | 119–153 km/h
No real damage to buildings. Damage to unanchored mobile homes. Some damage to poorly constructed signs. Also, some coastal flooding and minor pier damage.
- Examples: Lili 2002 and Gaston 2004

Category 2 Hurricane
Winds 96-110 mph | 83-95 kt | 42,5-48,9 m/s | 154–177 km/h
Some damage to building roofs, doors and windows. Considerable damage to mobile homes. Flooding damages piers and small craft in unprotected moorings may break their moorings. Some trees blown down.
- Examples: Isabel 2003 and Frances 2004

Category 3 Hurricane
Winds 111-130 mph | 96-113 kt | 50,0-57,9 m/s | 178–209 km/h
Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings. Large trees blown down. Mobile homes and poorly built signs destroyed. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by floating debris. Terrain may be flooded well inland.
- Examples: Jeanne 2004 and Ivan 2004

Category 4 Hurricane
Winds 131-155 mph | 114-135 kt | 58,0-68,9 m/s | 210–249 km/h
More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof structure failure on small residences. Major erosion of beach areas. Terrain may be flooded well inland.
- Examples: Charley 2004, Dennis 2005 and Katrina 2005

Category 5 Hurricane
Winds 156+ mph | 135+ kt | 69,0+ m/s | 250+ km/h
Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. Flooding causes major damage to lower floors of all structures near the shoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas may be required.
- Examples: Gilbert 1988 and Andrew 1992

For more information on hurricanes have a look at National Hurricane Center Website