The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale Categories Explained

When you hear terms like Category 1, Category 3 or even the rare Category 5 mentioned regarding hurricanes, what is being discussed is the classification system for hurricanes based on their winds.

Here is what the scale means: The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale was first developed in the early 1970s by Herbert Saffir, a consulting engineer who lived in Florida, and Dr. Robert Simpson, who was then director of the National Hurricane Center.

The current version is strictly a wind scale rating a hurricane's winds from Category 1 through 5.

Here is what the scale does not measure: Previous versions of the scale listed central pressures typically associated with each category due to a relationship that exists between pressure and wind. However, the details can vary quite a bit depending on the nature of each particular hurricane.

Also, storm surge was previously quantified by category. But, hurricanes with wind fields which are very large in size can produce storm surge heights that are much higher than is average for a given category, such as was the case with Category 2 Hurricane Ike in 2008.

Conversely, very compact hurricanes, even if extremely strong wind-wise and with very low central pressures as was the case with Hurricane Charley in 2004, can produce surges substantially lower than what was included in the original scale.

This scale also does not account for how much rainfall or how many tornadoes a hurricane will produce either. 

Tropical storms can create more rainfall flood damage than Category 5 hurricanes in some cases, as we saw with Tropical Storm Allison in 2001.

B​reaking Down The Scale

The scale provides examples of the type of damage and impacts in the United States associated with winds of the indicated intensity. In general, damage rises by about a factor of four for every category increase.

Category 1: Very dangerous winds will produce some damage.

People, livestock, and pets struck by flying or falling debris could be injured or killed.

Older (mainly pre-1994 construction) mobile homes could be destroyed, especially if they are not anchored properly as they tend to shift or roll off their foundations.

Newer mobile homes that are anchored properly can sustain damage involving the removal of shingle or metal roof coverings, and loss of vinyl siding, as well as damage to carports, sunrooms, or lanais.

Some poorly constructed frame homes can experience major damage, involving loss of the roof covering and damage to gable ends as well as the removal of porch coverings and awnings. Unprotected windows may break if struck by flying debris.

Masonry chimneys can be toppled. Well-constructed frame homes could have damage to roof shingles, vinyl siding, soffit panels, and gutters.

Failure of aluminum, screened-in, swimming pool enclosures can occur. Some apartment building and shopping center roof coverings could be partially removed. Industrial buildings can lose roofing and siding, especially from windward corners, rakes, and eaves.

Failures to overhead doors and unprotected windows will be common. Windows in high-rise buildings can be broken by flying debris. Falling and broken glass will pose a significant danger even after the storm. There will be occasional damage to commercial signage, fences, and canopies. Large branches of trees will snap and shallow rooted trees can be toppled. Extensive damage to power lines and poles will likely result in power outages that could last a few to several days.

Examples: Nate (2017) | Hermine (2016) | Isaac (2012)

Category 2: Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage.

There is a substantial risk of injury or death to people, livestock, and pets due to flying and falling debris. Older (mainly pre-1994 construction) mobile homes have a very high chance of being destroyed and the flying debris generated can shred nearby mobile homes.

Newer mobile homes can also be destroyed. Poorly constructed frame homes have a high chance of having their roof structures removed especially if they are not anchored properly. Unprotected windows will have a high probability of being broken by flying debris.

Well-constructed frame homes could sustain major roof and siding damage. Failure of aluminum, screened-in, swimming pool enclosures will be common. There will be a substantial percentage of roof and siding damage to apartment buildings and industrial buildings. Unreinforced masonry walls can collapse.

Many shallowly rooted trees will be snapped or uprooted and block numerous roads. Near-total power loss is expected with outages that could last from several days to weeks. Potable water could become scarce as filtration systems begin to fail.

Examples: Arthur (2014) | Ike in the Gulf of Mexico (2008) | Gustav in Louisiana (2008)

Category 3: Devastating damage will occur.

There is a high risk of injury or death to people, livestock, and pets due to flying and falling debris. Nearly all pre-1994 mobile homes will be destroyed. Most newer mobile homes will sustain severe damage with potential for complete roof failure and wall collapse.

Poorly constructed frame homes can be destroyed by the removal of the roof and exterior walls. Unprotected windows will be broken by flying debris. Well-built frame homes can experience major damage involving the removal of roof decking and gable ends.

There will be a high percentage of roof covering and siding damage to apartment buildings and industrial buildings. Isolated structural damage to wood or steel framing can occur. Complete failure of older metal buildings is possible, and older unreinforced masonry buildings can collapse.

Numerous windows will be blown out of high-rise buildings resulting in falling glass, which will pose a threat for days to weeks after the storm. Most commercial signage, fences, and canopies will be destroyed. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to a few weeks after the storm passes.

Examples: Otto (2016) | Sandy in Cuba (2012) | Irene in the Bahamas (2011)

Category 4: Catastrophic damage will occur.

There is a very high risk of injury or death to people, livestock, and pets due to flying and falling debris. Nearly all pre-1994 mobile homes will be destroyed. A high percentage of newer mobile homes also will be destroyed.

Poorly constructed homes can sustain complete collapse of all walls as well as the loss of the roof structure. Well-built homes also can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls.

Extensive damage to roof coverings, windows, and doors will occur. Large amounts of windborne debris will be lofted into the air. Windborne debris damage will break most unprotected windows and penetrate some protected windows.

There will be a high percentage of structural damage to the top floors of apartment buildings. Steel frames in older industrial buildings can collapse. There will be a high percentage of collapse to older unreinforced masonry buildings. Most windows will be blown out of high-rise buildings resulting in falling glass, which will pose a threat for days to weeks after the storm.

Nearly all commercial signage, fences, and canopies will be destroyed. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Long-term water shortages will increase human suffering. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.

Examples: Ian (2022) | Laura (2020) | Harvey (2017) | Maria (2017)

Category 5: Catastrophic damage will occur.

People, livestock, and pets are at very high risk of injury or death from flying or falling debris, even if indoors in mobile homes or framed homes. Almost complete destruction of all mobile homes will occur, regardless of age or construction.

A high percentage of frame homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse. Extensive damage to roof covers, windows, and doors will occur. Large amounts of windborne debris will be lofted into the air.

Windborne debris damage will occur to nearly all unprotected windows and many protected windows. Significant damage to wood roof commercial buildings will occur due to loss of roof sheathing. Complete collapse of many older metal buildings can occur. Most unreinforced masonry walls will fail which can lead to the collapse of the buildings.

A high percentage of industrial buildings and low-rise apartment buildings will be destroyed. Nearly all windows will be blown out of high-rise buildings resulting in falling glass, which will pose a threat for days to weeks after the storm.

Nearly all commercial signage, fences, and canopies will be destroyed. Nearly all trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Long-term water shortages will increase human suffering. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.

Examples: Michael (2018) | Irma in the Caribbean (2017) | Andrew (1992)