Saffir / Simpson Hurricane Intensity Scale
 Category One Hurricane:
     Winds 74-95 mph (64-82 kt or 119-153 kph). Storm surge generally 4-5 ft
     above normal. No real damage to building structures. Damage primarily to
   unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees. Some damage to poorly
      constructed signs. Also, some coastal road flooding and minor pier damage.
      Category Two Hurricane:
    Winds 96-110 mph (83-95 kt or 154-177 kph). Storm surge generally 6-8
feet above normal. Some roofing material, door, and window damage of
         buildings. Considerable damage to shrubbery and trees with some trees blown
       down. Considerable damage to mobile homes, poorly constructed signs, and
             piers. Coastal and low-lying escape routes flood 2-4 hours before arrival of the
        hurricane center. Small craft in unprotected anchorages break moorings.
        Category Three Hurricane:
    Winds 111-130 mph (96-113 kt or 178-209 kph). Storm surge generally
          9-12 ft above normal. Some structural damage to small residences and utility
            buildings with a minor amount of curtainwall failures. Damage to shrubbery and
         trees with foliage blown off trees and large tress blown down. Mobile homes
          and poorly constructed signs are destroyed. Low-lying escape routes are cut
           by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the hurricane center. Flooding nea
 the coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by
         battering of floating debris. Terrain continuously lower than 5 ft above mean
   sea level may be flooded inland 8 miles (13 km) or more. Evacuation of
       low-lying residences with several blocks of the shoreline may be required.
          Category Four Hurricane:
          Winds 131-155 mph (114-135 kt or 210-249 kph). Storm surge generally
                 13-18 ft above normal. More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete
         roof structure failures on small residences. Shrubs, trees, and all signs are
         blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Extensive damage to
              doors and windows. Low-lying escape routes may be cut by rising water 3-5
              hours before arrival of the hurricane center. Major damage to lower floors of
          structures near the shore. Terrain lower than 10 ft above sea level may be
                  flooded requiring massive evacuation of residential areas as far inland as 6 miles.
           Category Five Hurricane:
    Winds greater than 155 mph (135 kt or 249 kph). Storm surge generally
              greater than 18 ft above normal. Complete roof failure on many residences and
           industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings
     blown over or away. All shrubs, trees, and signs blown down. Complete
            destructon of mobile homes. Severe and extensive window and door damage.
              Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the
           hurricane center. Major damage to lower floors of all structures located less
     than 15 ft above sea level and within 500 yards of the shoreline. Massive
          evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5-10 miles (8-16 km) of
                     the shoreline may be required. Geoff Mackley may be in the area.


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