Northwest Florida Area Agency on Aging

How Are Hurricanes Rated?

Hurricanes vary in power and speed. The Saffir-Simpson scale breaks them into the following five categories according to wind speeds:

  • Category 1:
    74-95 mph, minimal structural damage

  • Category 2:
    96-110 mph, moderate structural damage to walls, roofs

  • Category 3:
    111-130 mph, extensive damage to walls, roofs

  • Category 4:
    131-155 mph, extreme damage to structures and roofs

  • Category 5:
    greater than 155 mph, catastrophic damage, structures destroyed
    •  Return to previous page

    Department of Elder Affairs The Northwest Florida Area Agency on Aging, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) private, not-for-profit charitable organization funded under the Older Americans Act and the State of Florida Department of Elder Affairs.

    Page was last updated on 3/19/2004.
    If there are problems with any links or you have any comments, please let us know: Comments

    Valid HTML 4.01!