Category 1
Winds of 74-95 mph
- Damage primarily to shrubbery, tree foliage and unanchored mobile homes
- No real damage to other structures
- Some damage to poorly constructed signs
- Storm surge four to five feet above normal
- Low lying coastal roads inundated
- Minor pier damage
- Small craft in exposed anchorages torn from moorings
Category 2
Winds of 96-110 mph
- Considerable damage to tree foliage
- Some trees down Major damage to exposed mobile homes
- Extensive damage to poorly constructed signs
- Some damage to roofing
- Storm surge six to eight feet above normal
- Coastal roads and low lying inland escape routes blocked by rising water two to four hours before arrival of hurricane center. Considerable damage to piers.
- Marinas flooded
- Small craft in unprotected anchorages torn from moorings
- Evacuation of some shoreline residences and low lying islands required
Category 3
Winds of 111-130 mph
- Damage primarily to shrubbery, tree foliage and unanchored mobile homes
- No real damage to other structures
- Some damage to poorly constructed signs
- Storm surge four to five feet above normal
- Low lying coastal roads inundated
- Minor pier damage
- Small craft in exposed anchorages torn from moorings
Category 4
Winds of 131-155 mph
- Shrubs and trees down, all signs down
- Extensive damage to roofing, windows and doors
- Roof collapse
- Complete destruction of mobile homes
- Storm surge 13 to 18 feet above normal
- Flat terrain 10 feet or less above sea level flooded inland as far as six miles
- Major damage to lower floors of structure near shore due to flooding, waves and floating debris
- Low lying water three to five hours before hurricane center arrives
- Major erosion of beaches
- Massive evacuation of all residences within 500 yards of shore possibly required, and of single-story residences on low ground within two miles of shore
Category 5
Winds greater than 155 mph
- Shrubs and trees down; considerable damage to roofing; all signs down
- Severe and extensive damage to windows and doors
- Complete roof collapse
- Destruction of glass in windows and doors. Some complete building failures
- Small buildings overturned or blown away
- Complete destruction of mobile homes
- Storm surge higher than 18 feet above normal
- Major damage to lower floors of all structures less than 15 feet above sea level within 500 yards of shore
- Low lying escape routes inland cut off by rising water three to five hours before hurricane center arrives
- Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within five to 10 miles of shore possibly required