The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale

The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale is a 1 to 5 rating based on a hurricane’s intensity. It is used to estimate a hurricane’s potential impact on coastal areas, including property damage and flooding. Wind speed, measured using a 1-minute average, is the determining factor in the scale.
Category 1: wind speeds 74-95 mph
Category 2: wind speeds 96-110 mph
Category 3: wind speeds 111-130 mph
Category 4: wind speeds 131-155 mph
Category 5: wind speeds over 155 mph