Residents of coastal states know all too well the havoc that can be caused by a hurricane. Long before Hurricane Katrina, the U.S. experienced significant loss of life and property from hurricanes. Hurricanes such as Andrew, Floyd and Camille killed thousands and caused billions of dollars in damages.
Hurricane damage comes in many forms. High winds damage, even flatten residences and businesses. They cause loss of life and billions of dollars in damages. Flooding is a particularly destructive aspect of many hurricanes – the majority of hurricane deaths are from flood. People may be surprised that coastal areas aren’t the only areas heavily impacted by flooding. Inland, urban and river flooding are also common. In mountainous regions mudslides can occur. Storm surges provide one of the greatest threats of all. The National Weather Service says if a surge occurs near high tide, a dome of ocean water of more than 25 feet is possible. A storm surge can be 50 to 100 miles long.
The Saffir-Simpson Scale and Five Types of Hurricanes
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale was developed to give an estimate of the potential property damage and flooding expected along the coast from a hurricane landfall. Wind speed is the determining factor in the scale, as storm surge values are highly dependent on the slope of the continental shelf and the shape of the coastline in the landfall region. Hurricanes reaching Category 3 and higher are considered major hurricanes because of their potential for loss of life and damage. Category 1 and 2 storms are still very dangerous and warrant preventative measures.
Five Types of Hurricanes Based On The Saffir-Simpson Scale
Category 1 – Winds of 74 mph to 95 mph
Minimal Damage – Key Characteristics: Building structures usually receive no significant damage. Low- lying coastal roads may become flooded and there can be damage to shrubbery, trees and unanchored mobile homes. Small boats in exposed anchorages can also be torn from moorings. Recent Category 1 storms include Lili in coastal Louisiana in 2002 and Gaston in 2004 in Central South Carolina.
Category 2 – Winds of 96 to 110 mph
Moderate Damage – Key Characteristics: Coastal roads and low-lying escape routes inland are cut off by rising waters two to four hours before the arrival of the hurricane’s center. A Category 2 storm generally causes some damage to windows, doors and roofing materials. Mobile homes will likely suffer major damage. There will likely be considerable damage to poorly constructed signs, piers, shrubbery and trees with some trees blown down. Hurricane Frances made landfall over Florida in 2004 as a Category 2 storm, and Hurricane Isabel hit the Outer Banks of North Carolina in 2003.
Category 3 – Winds of 111 to 130 mph
Extensive Damage – Key Characteristics: Low-lying escape routes are cut off by rising water 3-5 hours before the hurricane’s center arrives. Mobile homes/trailers are destroyed. Small buildings, including homes, receive structural damage. Small buildings along the coast are damaged by battering waves and floating debris. In 2004, Hurricanes Jeanne and Ivan made landfall as Category 3 hurricanes in Florida and Alabama respectively. In 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast as a Category 3 storm.
Category 4 – Winds of 131 to 155 mph
Extreme Damage – Key Characteristics: Trees are blown down. There’s complete destruction of mobile homes. Major damage occurs to lower floors of buildings near the shore because of flooding and battering by waves and debris. Roofs collapse on residences. Damage is extensive to windows, doors and roofing materials. Examples of Category 4 hurricanes are Hurricane Charley in Florida in 2004 and Hurricane Dennis in Cuba in 2005.
Category 5 – Winds of more than 155 mph
Catastrophic Damage – Key Characteristics: Small buildings are overturned or blown away. Extensive shattering of glass in windows and doors ensues. Roofs collapse on many residential and industrial buildings. Category 5 hurricanes that have struck the U.S are the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 in Florida, Hurricane Camille in 1969 in Mississippi and Hurricane Andrew in 1992 in Florida.
The Tornado Problem
Hurricane winds can also spawn tornadoes, adding to the destruction. According to National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, tornadoes are most likely to occur in the right-front quadrant of a hurricane. They can also be embedded in the rain-bands away from the hurricane center.
More than half of the hurricanes reaching landfall spawn at least one tornado. NOAA notes a study that Hurricane Beulah, a storm that reached landfall in Mexico and Texas in 1967, spawned 141 tornadoes.
NOAA says, in general, tornadoes developed from hurricanes are less intense than the tornados that impact the Great Plains. Regardless, they can produce substantial damage. At this time, it’s not possible to predict which hurricanes will spawn tornadoes or their touchdown.
This post is in: Basics, Hurricane, Hurricane Preparation
[...] A Category Four hurricane on the Saffir Simpson Scale is a storm with maximum sustained winds between 131 – 155 mph. One should expect complete destruction of mobile homes and roof collapses on residences. Damage is extensive to windows, doors and roofing materials. An example of a recent Category four hurricane is Hurricane Charley which caused more than $18 billion in damages in 2004. Please visit the preparedness section of our site for more information on the Saffir Simpson Scale. [...]