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
Foliage torn from trees, large trees blown over
Almost all poorly constructed signs down
Some damage to roofing; some window and door damage
Some structural damage to small buildings
Mobile homes destroyed
Storm surge nine to 12 feet above normal
Serious flooding at coast and many smaller structures near coast and many smaller structures near coast destroyed
Larger structures near coast damaged by battering waves and floating debris
Low lying inland escape routes blocked by rising water three to five hours before hurricane center arrives
Flat terrain five feet or less above sea level flooded inland eight miles or more
Evacuation of low-lying residences within several blocks of shoreline possibly required
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
