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HURRICANE 101
PREPARING FOR THE STORM

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THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE SCALE

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale is a five-category scale used to
generally describe the strength of a hurricane and the damage that can be expected.

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CATEGORY 1 IMPACTS

  • Winds 74 - 95 mph
  • No significant damage to permanent structures
  • Can topple unanchored mobile homes
  • Can uproot or snap trees
  • Poorly attached roof shingles or tiles can blow off
  • Coastal flooding, pier damage can occur
  • Outages are widespread, can last for several days

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CATEGORY 2 IMPACTS

  • Winds 96 - 110 mph
  • Damage to roofing material and poorly constructed doors and windows
  • Considerable damage to poorly constructed signs and piers
  • Many trees are uprooted or snapped
  • Mobile homes, anchored or not, are typically damaged or sometimes destroyed
  • Manufactured homes can suffer damage
  • Extensive to near-total power outages can last for several days

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CATEGORY 3 IMPACTS

  • Winds 111 - 129 mph
  • Damage to small homes and utility buildings
  • Mobiles homes are often destroyed
  • Manufactured homes can sustain severe damage
  • Large number of trees are uprooted or snapped, isolating many areas
  • Near-total power losses are likely for up to several weeks
  • Water will likely be lost or contaminated in some areas

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CATEGORY 4 IMPACTS

  • Winds 130 - 155 mph
  • Produce more extensive damage to homes and businesses, some with complete structural failure
  • Near-complete destruction of gas station canopies and other overhang-type of structures
  • Most trees are uprooted or snapped
  • Total and long-lived power and water losses are expected, possibly for many weeks

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CATEGORY 5 IMPACTS

  • Winds over 156 mph
  • Complete roof failure on many homes and industrial buildings and some complete building failures
  • Severe and irreparable damage to many wood-frame structures
  • Total destruction to mobile or manufactured homes
  • Virtually all trees uprooted or snapped, and some may be debarked
  • Total and long-lived power outages and water losses are expected, possibly for several months

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READY. SET. GO.

A timeline of how to prepare your home and family a week before a hurricane is expected to hit

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PREPARE YOUR HURRICANE KIT

It is essential to be prepared for a hurricane.
Everyone living in a hurricane-prone area should always have their hurricane kit ready before a storm threatens the area