Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 5.1
Saffir-Simpson Scale
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
Scale Number
(Category)
Sustained
Winds (mph)
Storm
Surge (ft)
Damage
1
74-95
Minimal: Unanchored
mobile homes, vegetation,
and signs.
4-5
2
96-110
Moderate: All mobile homes,
roofs, small crafts, flooding.
6-8
3
111-130
Extensive: Small buildings,
low-lying roads cut off.
9-12
4
131-155
Extreme: Roofs destroyed,
trees down, roads cut off,
mobile homes destroyed.
Beach homes flooded.
13-18
5
>155
Catastrophic: Most buildings
destroyed. Vegetation
destroyed. Major roads cut
off. Homes flooded.
>18
Source: Saffir-Simpson Scale, Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Consequences of Tropical Storms and Hurricanes
Tropical storms and hurricanes can cause widespread damage over large areas. Size,
strength, and forward speed of tropical systems contribute to what damages could
occur. Initial effects of a tropical storm or hurricane can include flash flooding,
storm surge inundation, structural damage to residences and businesses (lead-
ing to temporary housing and economic loss issues), infrastructure damage, and
large amounts of debris. Some of the secondary effects of tropical cyclones include
long-term power outages, mass evacuations of people and animals, mass casualties,
infrastructure failure, agricultural damage or destruction, contamination of water
supplies (through contaminated fresh water or salt water inundation), and hazard-
ous materials incidents. As with other hazards, the cascading effects of disasters
depend on multiple variables, so this list is by no means comprehensive.
Preparation and Planning
The Emergency Manager that works in a hurricane-prone area must know the
different watches and warnings that are issued for tropical depressions, tropical
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