Tropical Cyclone Classification
Tropical cyclones with an organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with a defined circulation, and maximum sustained winds of 38 mph (61 kph) or less are called "tropical depressions". Once the tropical cyclone reaches winds of at least 39 mph (63 kph) they are typically called a "tropical storm" and assigned a name.
If maximum sustained winds reach 74 mph (119 kph), the cyclone is called:
- A hurricane in the North Atlantic Ocean, the Northeast Pacific Ocean east of the dateline, and the South Pacific Ocean east of 160°E, (The word hurricane comes from the Carib Indians of the West Indies, who called this storm a huracan. Supposedly, the ancient Tainos tribe of Central America called their god of evil "Huracan". Spanish colonists modified the word to hurricane.),
- A typhoon in the Northwest Pacific Ocean west of the dateline (super typhoon if the maximum sustained winds are at least 150 mph / 241 kph),
- A severe tropical cyclone in the Southwest Pacific Ocean west of 160°E or Southeast Indian Ocean east of 90°E,
- A severe cyclonic storm in the North Indian Ocean, and
- Just a tropical cyclone in the Southwest Indian Ocean.
Hurricanes are further classified according to their wind speed. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale is a 1-5 rating based on the hurricane's present intensity. This is used to give an estimate of the potential property damage and flooding expected along the coast from a hurricane landfall.
Wind speed is the determining factor in the scale, as storm surge values are highly dependent on the slope of the continental shelf in the landfall region. Note: all winds are using the U.S. 1-minute average.
Cat. | Wind | Water | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Speed | Damage | Storm Surge | Effect | |
5 | >155 mph >135 kts >249 kph Catastrophic Hurricane |
Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. All shrubs, trees, and signs blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Severe and extensive window and door damage. | Generally >18 ft. above normal |
Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the hurricane center. Major damage to lower floors of all structures located less than 15 ft. above sea level and within 500 yards of the shoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5-10 miles (8-16 km) of the shoreline may be required. |
Examples: Hurricane Mitch of 1998 was a Category Five hurricane at peak intensity over the western Caribbean. Hurricane Gilbert of 1988 was a Category Five hurricane at peak intensity and is the strongest Atlantic tropical cyclone of record. | ||||
4 | 131-155 mph 114-135 kts 210-249 kph Extreme Hurricane |
More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof structure failures on small residences. Shrubs, trees, and all signs are blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Extensive damage to doors and windows. | Generally 13-18 ft. above normal |
Low-lying escape routes may be cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the hurricane center. Major damage to lower floors of structures near the shore. Terrain lower than 10 ft. above sea level may be flooded requiring massive evacuation of residential areas as far inland as 6 miles (10 km). |
Examples: Hurricane Luis of 1995 was a Category Four hurricane while moving over the Leeward Islands. Hurricanes Felix and Opal of 1995 also reached Category Four status at peak intensity. | ||||
3 | 111-130 mph 96-113 kts 178-209 kph Extensive Hurricane |
Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings with a minor amount of curtainwall failures. Damage to shrubbery and trees with foliage blown off trees and large tress blown down. Mobile homes and poorly constructed signs are destroyed. | Generally 9-12 ft. above normal. |
Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the hurricane center. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by battering of floating debris. Terrain continuously lower than 5 ft. above mean sea level may be flooded inland 8 miles (13 km) or more. Evacuation of low-lying residences within several blocks of the shoreline may be required. |
Examples: Hurricanes Roxanne of 1995 and Fran of 1996 were Category Three hurricanes at landfall on the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico and in North Carolina, respectively. | ||||
2 | 96-110 mph 83-95 kts 154-177 kph Moderate Hurricane |
Some roofing material, door, and window damage of buildings. Considerable damage to shrubbery and trees with some trees blown down. Considerable damage to mobile homes, poorly constructed signs, and piers. | Generally 6-8 ft. above normal |
Coast roads and low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 2 to 4 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 areas required. |
Examples: Hurricane Bonnie of 1998 was a Category Two hurricane when it hit the North Carolina coast, while Hurricane Georges of 1998 was a Category Two Hurricane when it hit the Florida Keys and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. | ||||
1 | 74-95 mph 64-82 kts 119-153 kph Minimal Hurricane |
No real damage to building structures. Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees. Some damage to poorly constructed signs. | Generally 4-5 ft. above normal |
Low-lying coastal roads inundated, minor pier damage, some small craft in exposed anchorage torn from moorings. |
Examples: Hurricanes Allison of 1995 and Danny of 1997 were Category One hurricanes at peak intensity. |