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Hurricane Fast Facts
What is a Hurricane?
A "hurricane" is the most severe category of the meteorological phenomenon known as the "tropical cyclone."
Tropical cyclones are low pressure systems that have thunderstorm activity and rotate counterclockwise. A tropical
cyclone that has winds of 38 mph (33 kt) or less is called a tropical depression. When the tropical cyclone's winds reach
39-73 mph (34-63 kt), it is called a tropical storm. When the winds exceed 74 mph (64 kt), the storm is considered
to be a hurricane.
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale defines hurricane strength by categories. A Category 1 storm is the weakest hurricane
(winds 74-95 mph or 64-82 kt); a Category 5 hurricane is the strongest (winds greater than 155 mph or 135 kt).
The category of the storm does not necessarily relate directly to the damage it will inflict. Lower category storms (and
even tropical storms) can cause substantial damage depending on what other weather features they interact with, where
they strike, and how slow they move.
Anatomy of a Hurricane
Typical hurricanes are about 300 miles wide although they can vary considerably in size.
The eye at a hurricane's center is a relatively calm, clear area approximately 20-40 miles across.
The eyewall surrounding the eye is composed of dense clouds that contain the highest winds in the storm.
The storm's outer rainbands (often with hurricane or tropical storm-force winds) are made up of dense bands of
thunderstorms ranging from a few miles to tens of miles wide and 50 to 300 miles long.
Hurricane-force winds can extend outward to about 25 miles in a small hurricane and to more than 150 miles for a large
one. Tropical storm-force winds can stretch out as far as 300 miles from the center of a large hurricane.
Frequently, the right side of a hurricane is the most dangerous in terms of storm surge, winds, and tornadoes.
A hurricane's speed and path depend on complex ocean and atmospheric interactions, including the presence or absence
of other weather patterns. This complexity of the flow makes it very difficult to predict the speed and direction of a hurricane.
Do not focus on the eye or the track–hurricanes are immense systems that can move in complex patterns that are difficult
to predict. Be prepared for changes in size, intensity, speed, and direction.
How Tropical Cyclones are Observed
Direct measurements of tropical storm and hurricane dimensions and wind speeds are taken primarily by reconnaissance
aircraft, although ships and buoys also take important measurements. Once a hurricane is near and/or on land, Automated
Surface Observation Systems (ASOS) provide surface conditions, and radio sondes take upper air measurements.
Indirect observational methods include satellite imagery and Doppler radar. In particular, satellites have greatly improved
our ability to monitor and understand hurricanes. Radar data are important once the storm comes close to shore
and after landfall for forecasting hurricane-related weather.
There is nothing like them in the atmosphere. Born in warm tropical waters, these spiraling masses
require a complex combination of atmospheric processes to grow, mature, and then die. They are not
the largest storm systems in our atmosphere or the most violent, but they combine these qualities
as no other phenomenon does.
In the Atlantic Basin, they are called hurricanes, a term that echoes colonial Spanish and Caribbean
Indian words for evil spirits and big winds. These awesome storms have been a deadly problem for
residents and sailors ever since the early days of colonization. Today, hurricane damage costs billions of
dollars. During this century, 23 hurricanes have each caused damage in excess of $1 billion
(adjusted for inflation). Damage from Hurricane Andrew (1992) alone was estimated at more than
$25 billion in South Florida and Louisiana and undoubtedly would have been higher had the
storm hit Miami directly.
Thankfully, the number of people injured or killed during tropical cyclones in the United States has been
declining, largely because of improvements in forecasting and emergency preparedness. Nonetheless,
our risk from hurricanes is increasing. With population and development continuing to increase along
coastal areas, greater numbers of people and property are vulnerable to hurricane threat. Large numbers
of tourists also favor coastal locations, adding greatly to the problems of emergency managers and
local decision makers during a hurricane threat.
Hurricanes cannot be controlled, but our vulnerability can be reduced through preparedness. Local
decision makers must make difficult choices between public safety and possible economic losses when
faced with a hurricane, but these decisions will be solid if they are based on an understanding of
hurricanes, their hazards, the value and limitations of forecasts, and a good decision-making process.
The Richelieu Apartments before Hurricane Camille The Richelieu Apartments after Hurricane Camille
The ingredients for a hurricane include a pre-existing
weather disturbance, warm tropical oceans, moisture,
and relatively light winds aloft. If the right conditions
persist long enough, they can combine to produce the
violent winds, incredible waves, torrential rains, and
floods we associate with this phenomenon.
Each year, an average of ten tropical storms develop
over the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, and Gulf of
Mexico. Many of these remain over the ocean. Six of
these storms become hurricanes each year. In an
average 3-yearperiod, roughly five hurricanes
strike the United States coastline, killing
approximately 50 to 100 people anywhere from
Texas to Maine. Of these, two are typically major
hurricanes (winds greater than 110 mph).
Hurricane Bonnie, 1998
What is a Hurricane?
A hurricane is a type of tropical cyclone, which is a generic term for a low pressure system that generally
forms in the tropics. The cyclone is accompanied by thunderstorms and, in the Northern Hemisphere, a
counterclockwise circulation of winds near the earth's surface. Tropical cyclones are classified as follows:
Tropical An organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with
Depression a defined surface circulation and maximum sustained
winds* of 38 mph (33 kt**) or less
Tropical Storm An organized system of strong thunderstorms with a
defined surface circulation and maximum sustained
winds of 39-73 mph (34-63 kt)
Hurricane An intense tropical weather system of strong
thunderstorms with a well-defined surface circulation
and maximum sustained winds of 74 mph (64 kt) or
* Sustained winds are defined as a 1-minute average wind measured at about 33 ft (10
meters) above the surface.
** 1 knot = 1 nautical mile per hour or 1.15 statute miles per hour. Abbreviated as "kt".
Hurricanes are categorized according to the strength of their winds using the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale
A Category 1 storm has the lowest wind speeds, while a Category 5 hurricane has the strongest. These are
relative terms, because lower category storms can sometimes inflict greater damage than higher
category storms, depending on where they strike and the particular hazards they bring. In fact,
tropical storms can also produce significant damage and loss of life, mainly due to flooding. .
When the winds from these storms reach 39 mph (34 kt), the cyclone is given a name. Years ago, an international
committee developed six separate lists of names for these storms . Each list alternates between male and female
names. The use of these easily remembered names greatly reduces confusion when two or more tropical cyclones
occur at the same time. Each list is reused every six years, although hurricane names that have resulted in substantial
damage or death are retired.
Hurricane Basics (cont.)
Hurricane Names Assigned between 1999 and 2004
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Arlene Alberto Allison Arthur Ana Alex
Bret Beryl Barry Bertha Bill Bonnie
Cindy Chris Chantal Cristobal Claudette Charley
Dennis Debby Dean Dolly Danny Danielle
Emily Ernesto Erin Edouard Erika Earl
Floyd Florence Felix Fay Fabian Frances
Gert Gordon Gabrielle Gustav Grace Gaston
Harvey Helene Humberto Hanna Henri Hermine
Irene Isaac Iris Isidore Isabel Ivan
Jose Joyce Jerry Josephine Juan Jeanne
Katrina Keith Karen Kyle Kate Karl
Lenny Leslie Lorenzo Lili Larry Lisa
Maria Michael Michelle Marco Mindy Matthew
Nate Nadine Noel Nana Nicholas Nicole
Ophelia Oscar Olga Omar Odette Otto
Philippe Patty Pablo Paloma Peter Paula
Rita Rafael Rebekah Rene Rose Richard
Stan Sandy Sebastien Sally Sam Shary
Tammy Tony Tanya Teddy Teresa Tomas
Vince Valerie Van Vicky Victor Virginie
Wilma William Wendy Wilfred Wanda Walter
Origin and Life Cycle
The Birth of a Tropical Cyclone
Tropical cyclones form over warm waters from pre-existing disturbances. These disturbances typically
emerge every three or four days from the coast of Africa as "tropical waves" that consist of areas of unsettled
weather. Tropical cyclones can also form from the trailing ends of cold fronts and occasionally from
The process by which a tropical cyclone forms and subsequently strengthens into a hurricane depends on at
least three conditions shown in the figure below
1. A pre-existing disturbance with thunderstorms
2. Warm (at least 80ºF) ocean temperatures to a depth of about 150 feet
3. Light upper level winds that do not change much in direction and speed throughout the depth of the
atmosphere (low wind shear)
Heat and energy for the storm are gathered by the disturbance through contact with warm ocean waters. The
winds near the ocean surface spiral into the disturbance's low pressure area. The warm ocean waters add
moisture and heat to the air which rises. As the moisture condenses into drops, more heat is released,
contributing additional energy to power the storm. Bands of thunderstorms form, and the storm's cloud tops
rise higher into the atmosphere. If the winds at these high levels remain relatively light (little or no wind
shear), the storm can remain intact and continue to strengthen.
Origin and Life Cycle (cont.)
Stages of Hurricane Development
Growth and Maturity
In these early stages, the system appears on the satellite image as a relatively unorganized cluster of
thunderstorms. If weather and ocean conditions continue to be favorable, the system can strengthen and
become a tropical depression (winds less than 38 mph or 33 kt). At this point, the storm begins to take on
the familiar spiral appearance due to the flow of the winds and the rotation of the earth.
If the storm continues to strengthen to
tropical storm status (winds 39-73 mph,
34-63 kt), the bands of thunderstorms
contribute additional heat and moisture to
the storm. The storm becomes a
hurricane when winds reach a minimum
of 74 mph (64 kt). At this time, the
cloud-free hurricane eye typically forms
because rapidly sinking air at the center
dries and warms the area.
During their life span, hurricanes can last
for more than two weeks over the ocean
and can travel up the entire Atlantic Coast.
The Storm's End
Just as many factors contribute to the birth
of a hurricane, there are many reasons
why a hurricane begins to decay. Wind Three stages of tropical cyclone development
shear can tear the hurricane apart. Moving
over cooler water or drier areas can lead to weakening as well. Landfall typically shuts off the hurricane's
main moisture source, and the surface circulation can be reduced by friction when it passes over land.
Generally, a weakening hurricane or tropical cyclone can reintensify if it moves into a more favorable
region or interacts with mid-latitude frontal systems.
Contrary to how many weather maps appear, a hurricane is more than a point on a weather map, and its path
is more than a line. It is a large system that can affect a wide area, requiring that precautions be taken
far from where the eye is predicted to come ashore.
The main parts of a hurricane are the rainbands on its outer edges, the eye, and the eyewall.
Air spirals in toward the center in a counter-clockwise pattern, and out the top in the opposite direction. In the
very center of the storm, air sinks, forming the cloud-free eye.
The hurricane's center is a relatively
calm, clear area usually 20-40 miles
across. People in the midst of a
hurricane are often amazed at how the
incredibly fierce winds and rain can
suddenly stop and the sky clear when
the eye comes over them. Then, just as
quickly, the winds and rain begin
again, but this time from the opposite
Details of the hurricane eye's structure
The dense wall of thunderstorms surrounding the eye has the strongest winds within the storm. Changes in the
structure of the eye and eyewall can cause changes in the wind speed, which is an indicator of the storm's intensity.
The eye can grow or shrink in size, and double (concentric) eyewalls can form.
The Spiral Rainbands
The storm's outer rainbands (often with hurricane or tropical storm-force winds) can extend a few hundred miles
from the center. Hurricane Andrew's (1992) rainbands reached only 100 miles out from the eye, while those in
Hurricane Gilbert (1988) stretched over 500 miles. These dense bands of thunderstorms, which spiral slowly
counterclockwise, range in width from a few miles to tens of miles and are 50 to 300 miles long. Sometimes the
bands and the eye are obscured by higher level clouds, making it difficult for forecasters to use satellite imagery
to monitor the storm.
Typical hurricanes are about 300 miles wide although they can vary considerably, as shown in the two
enhanced satellite images below. Size is not necessarily an indication of hurricane intensity. Hurricane
Andrew (1992), the most devastating hurricane of this century, was a relatively small hurricane.
Hurricane Danny (left) in 1997 and Hurricane Fran in 1996 show the variability in hurricane size
Hurricane destructive winds and rains cover a wide swath. Hurricane-force winds can extend outward to
about 25 miles from the storm center of a small hurricane and to more than 150 miles for a large one.
The area over which tropical storm-force winds occur is even greater , ranging as far out as almost 300 miles
from the eye of a large hurricane.
Hurricane Circulation and Movement
In the northern hemisphere, hurricane winds circulate around the
center in a counter-clockwise fashion. This means that the wind
direction at your location depends on where the hurricane's eye is.
A boat on the northern edge of the orange area in Hurricane Fran
would experience winds from the east, while a boat on the southern
edge would have westerly winds.
A hurricane's speed and path
depend on complex interactions
between the storm with its own internal
circulations and the earth's atmosphere.
The air in which the hurricane is
embedded is a constantly moving and
changing "river" of air. Other features in
that flow, such as high and low pressure
systems, can greatly alter the speed and
the path of the hurricane. In turn, it can
modify the environment around the storm.
Typically, a hurricane's forward speed
averages around 15-20 mph. However,
some hurricanes stall, often causing
devastatingly heavy rain. Others can
accelerate to more than 60 mph.
Hurricane Hazel (1954) hit
North Carolina on the morning of
15 October; fourteen hours later it reached
Toronto, Canada where it caused
80 deaths. Some hurricanes follow a
fairly straight course, while others loop
and wobble along the path These
seemingly erratic changes are difficult to
forecast and will be discussed in more detail
in the Forecasting section of this module.
Track of Hurricane Gordon, 1994
The Right Side of the Storm
As a general rule of thumb, the hurricane's right
side (relative to the direction it is travelling) is
the most dangerous part of the storm because of
the additive effect of the hurricane wind speed and
speed of the larger atmospheric flow (the steering
winds). The increased winds on the right side
increase the storm surge. Tornadoes are also more
Looking at the figure above, pretend you are
standing behind the hurricane with your back to the
steering flow. In this case, the right side is the
eastern section of the hurricane. (If it were travelling
east to west, the right side would be the north
section.) The winds around the hurricane's eye are
moving in a counterclockwise fashion. At Point A,
the hurricane winds are nearly in line with the
steering wind, adding to the strength of the winds. For example, if the steering currents are 30 mph and the average
hurricane winds are 100 mph, the wind speed would be 130 mph at Point A. On the other hand, the winds at Point B
are moving opposite those of the steering wind and therefore slow to 70 mph (100 - 30 mph). Incidentally, National
Huricane Center forecasts take this effect into account in their official wind estimates.
NOAA's National Weather Service (NWS)
has several tools to monitor
hurricanes. While they are still far out
in the ocean, indirect measurements
using satellites are the main tool,
although ships and buoys also
provide observations. Once the
storms come closer to land, more
direct measurements (reconnaissance
aircraft, radiosondes, and Automated
Surface Observing Stations) are also
used. Within about 200 miles of the
coast, radar provide important indirect
measurements of the storm.
Computer models used to forecast
storm intensity and movement require
a great deal of data about the
atmosphere. Lack of observations
(especially over the ocean) and errors
and inconsistencies in the data are
major sources of forecast errors.
The main hazards associated with tropical cyclones and especially hurricanes are storm surge, high winds, heavy
rain, and flooding, as well as tornadoes. The intensity of a hurricane is an indicator of damage potential. However,
impacts are a function of where and when the storm strikes. Hurricane Diane (1955) hit the northeastern U.S. and
caused 184 deaths. It was only a Category 1 hurricane but the thirteenth deadliest since 1900. Hurricane Agnes
(1972), also a Category 1 hurricane, ranks fifth with damages estimated at 6.9 billion when adjusted for inflation 1.
A storm surge is a large dome of water, 50 to 100 miles
wide, that sweeps across the coastline near where a
hurricane makes landfall. It can be more than 15 feet deep
at its peak. The surge of high water topped by waves is
devastating. Along the coast, storm surge is the greatest
threat to life and property.
Hurricane winds not only damage structures, but the barrage of debris they carry
is quite dangerous to anyone unfortunate enough (or unwise enough!) to be
caught out in them. Damaging winds begin well before the hurricane eye
Tropical cyclones frequently produce huge amounts of rain,
and flooding can be a significant problem, particularly for
inland communities. A typical hurricane brings at least 6
to 12 inches of rainfall to the area it crosses. The resulting
floods cause considerable damage and loss of life, especially
in mountainous areas where heavy rains mean flash floods
and can also result in devastating mudslides.
Tornadoes spawned by landfalling hurricanes can cause
enormous destruction. As a hurricane moves shoreward,
tornadoes often develop on the fringes of the storm.
These hazards can bring other consequences not directly
related to the storm. For example, hurricane-related
deaths and injuries are often the result of fires started by
candles used when the electricity fails. Heart attacks and
accidents frequently occur during the clean-up phase. And
depending on the industrial facilities in your area, hurricane
damage might cause chemical spills that could make the
disaster even worse.
1 Hurricanes: Their Nature and Impact on Society , (Pielke and Pielke, 1997, p. 125)
Hurricane Hazards Summary
Storm surge is the greatest potential threat to life and property associated with hurricanes.
A storm surge is a large dome of water, 50 to 100 miles wide, that sweeps across the coastline near where a hurricane
makes landfall. It can be more than 15 feet deep at its peak.
The level of surge in a particular area is primarily related to the intensity of the hurricane and slope of the continental shelf.
The Sea, Lake, and Overland Surges from Hurricanes (SLOSH) model is used by communities to evaluate storm surge
threat from different categories of hurricanes striking from various directions.
Because storm surge has the greatest potential to kill more people than any of the other hurricane hazards, it is wise to
err on the conservative side by planning for a storm that is one category more intense than is forecast.
Typically, the more intense the storm (in terms of the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale), the more wind damage a community
will sustain, particularly if it does not have an effective mitigation program and has not prepared in advance for the storm.
Tropical storm-force winds (39-73 mph) can also be dangerous, and it is wise to have evacuations completed before
they reach your area.
Hurricanes (and some tropical storms) typically produce widespread rainfall of 6 to 12 inches or more, often resulting
in severe flooding.
Inland flooding has been the primary cause of tropical cyclone-related fatalities over the past 30 years.
Rains are generally heaviest with slower moving storms (less than 10 mph).
The heaviest rain usually occurs to the right of the cyclone track in the period 6 hours before and 6 hours after landfall.
However, storms can last for days, depending on what inland weather features they interact with.
Large amounts of rain can occur more than 100 miles inland where flash floods and mudslides are typically the
Hurricane Hazards Summary (cont.)
Tornadoes are most likely to occur in the right-front quadrant of the hurricane. However, they are also often found
elsewhere in the rainbands.
Typically, the more intense a hurricane is, the greater the tornado threat.
Tornado production can occur for days after landfall.
Most tornadoes occur within 150 miles of the coast.
The National Weather Service's Doppler radar systems can provide indications of tornados from a few minutes to
about 30 minutes in advance. Consequently, preparedness is critical.
Over the past 20 years, improvements in hurricane computer modeling, observational instrumentation, and better
training for forecasters have greatly increased forecast accuracy. New data systems give forecasters a greater
understanding of tropical cyclones and provide better and more timely input for computer models used to predict
Despite these advances, the many complex interactions that occur within the atmosphere are not fully understood
or adequately modeled, limiting the accuracy of forecasts. When all is said and done, hurricane forecasting is still
a very difficult job.
The forecasting process that is the joint responsibility of NOAA's Tropical Prediction Center’s National Hurricane
Center (NHC) and the local Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs). The forecasting process contributes to a significant
reduction in the number of deaths attributed to tropical cyclones and their related hazards.
Part of the mission of the National Weather Service (NWS) Tropical Prediction Center (TPC) is to save lives and
protect property by issuing watches, warnings, forecasts, and analyses of hazardous weather conditions in
The TPC is comprised of the National Hurricane Center (NHC), the Tropical Analysis and Forecast
Branch (TAFB), and the Technical Support Branch (TSB). During hurricane season, the latter two
provide support to the NHC.
A Hurricane Liaison Team (HLT) is activiated during hurricanes to provide a link between the NHC and emergency
managers and decision makers.
The local NWS Weather Forecast Offices (WFOs) in hurricane-prone areas are also important
participants in the forecast process.
The NHC and your local WFO have various roles in the forecast process that are closely coordinated.
In general, the NHC provides products that have a broad view of the hurricane and its potential impacts, while the
local forecast office (the WFO) takes the information from NHC and tailors it to their specific locale, providing local
emergency managers with additional information about the hazards expected in their area. The NHC issues
hurricane advisories, watches and warinings. Information includes strike probability and wind speeds.
Observations are the basis for all forecast and warning products issued by the NHC. Quality,
timeliness, and quantity of remote sensing observations are critical for accurate and timely
forecasts and warnings.
The various observations are checked for quality, analyzed, and put into a suite of computer models
Central Model Guidance/Interpretation
The computer models take in the observations and perform millions of calculations to generate
predictions of hurricane behavior and the general conditions of the atmosphere in which the hurricane
is embedded. The model results are packaged as guidance for the appropriate national centers and local
offices and for evaluation and use in the NWS’s forecast and warning process.
Coordination within the NWS
Model results are coordinated between the national centers and local forecast offices to provide
consistency, which is critical during severe weather episodes.
Once the coordination and collaboration process reaches group consensus, the issuing offices generate
forecast and warning products for release to the public.
Timely and reliable dissemination of forecasts and warnings is critical to the protection of life and
Coordination with Customers
The NHC and the local WFO work with customers to determine the level of satisfaction with the
service provided and, in particular, whether the forecast and warning products issued were useful.
Local Level: The Weather Forecast Office (WFO)
All of the National Weather Service Forecast Offices are staffed 24 hours a day and produce:
Watches and warnings for severe local storms, floods, flash floods, as well as local and zone
Local aviation forecasts, watches, and warnings
Marine warnings and forecasts for coastal areas
Hydrologic services such as support for flood and run-off forecasts
Offices affected by hurricanes analyze the products created by the NHC and fine tune them for their own
locale in order to provide local officials with the necessary information to make timely and efficient decisions.
The WFOs produce local weather statements to inform the public about current and anticipated storm effects in
their area and to augment NHC advisories and releases. The local statements are highly specific and are
designed to keep the media, local decision makers, and the public current on present and anticipated storm
Local forecasters initiate or participate in inter-site coordination between NHC and other local WFOs to ensure
forecast and warning consistency. Following product delivery, the local office coordinates with local officials,
the media, and the emergency management community. These coordination calls focus on the pending
weather threat and what implications the forecast or warning has for the local area. Following the storm, the
local Warning Coordination Meteorologist evaluates the service with the forecast users.
Who Produces Hurricane Forecasts
NOAA's National Hurricane Center is responsible for providing information on the current status of the storm and
future forecasts of its behavior.
Local NOAA Weather Forecast Offices fine tune NHC status reports and forecasts for their particular area.
Tropical cyclone public advisories (issued every 6 hours) are intended for the general public in areas threatened by a
tropical storm or hurricane.
Intermediate public tropical cyclone advisories are issued every 3 hours once a watch or warning has been issued and
every 2 hours once a reliable center appears on radar. Hourly radar position estimates are issued between the 2-hourly
public advisories. They are similar to the 6-hour product.
Tropical cyclone forecast/advisories (issued every 6 hours) are intended mainly for ships at sea and other marine
interests, but also very useful to emergency managers because they contain wind field forecasts.
Tropical cyclone discussions (issued every 6 hours) explain the rationale for the current forecast level of confidence.
Tropical cyclone strike probability forecasts (issued every 6 hours) give the percentage chance that the center of a
tropical cyclone will pass within 65 NM (75 mi) of specific locations within 72 hours.
Hurricane local statements are issued by the local WFO to keep the media, local decision makers, and the public current
on present and anticipated storm effects in their specific area. They include any actions declared by local
Inland high wind watches and warnings are issued when hurricane-force winds are expected to occur
beyond coastal areas.
Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale*
Category Definition—Likely Effects
ONE: Winds 74-95 mph: No real damage to building structures, Damage primarily to unanchored
mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees. Also, some coastal road flooding and minor pier damage.
TWO: Winds 96-110 mph: Some roofing material, door, and window damage to buildings.
Considerable damage to vegetation, mobile homes, and piers. Small craft in unprotected
anchorages break moorings.
THREE: Winds 111-130 mph: Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings with
a minor amount of curtainwall failures, Mobile homes are destroyed. Flooding near the coast
destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by floating debris. Terrain may be
flooded well inland.
FOUR: Winds 131-155 mph: More extensive curtainwall failures with some complete roof structure
failure on small residences. Major erosion of beach areas. Major damage to lower floors of
structures near the shore Terrain may be flooded well inland.
FIVE: Winds greater than 155 mph: Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial
buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away.
Major damage to lower floors of all structures located near the shoreline. Massive
evacuation of residential areas may be required.
*In operational use, the scale corresponds to the 1-minute average sustained wind speed as opposed to
gusts which could be 20 percent higher or more.
The COMET Program
University Corporation for Atmospheric Research
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)