Hurricane Categories
Explained
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale rates hurricanes from Category 1 (minimal) to Category 5 (catastrophic) based on maximum sustained wind speed. Here's what each category actually means on the ground.
The Five Categories
Category 1: 74–95 mph
Dangerous winds will produce some damage. Well-constructed homes may have damage to roof, shingles, vinyl siding, and gutters. Large tree branches snap. Power outages may last a few days.
Category 2: 96–110 mph
Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage. Well-constructed homes could sustain major roof and siding damage. Many trees uprooted, blocking roads. Power outages could last days to weeks.
Category 3: 111–129 mph — Major Hurricane
Devastating damage. Well-built homes may suffer major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends. Many trees snapped or uprooted. Electricity and water unavailable for days to weeks after the storm.
Category 4: 130–156 mph — Major Hurricane
Catastrophic damage. Well-built homes can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof and exterior walls. Most trees snapped or uprooted. Power outages last weeks to months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
Category 5: 157+ mph — Major Hurricane
Catastrophic damage. A high percentage of homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last weeks to months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months. This is the worst-case scenario.
Before the Hurricane: The Other Classifications
Not every tropical system is a hurricane. The NHC classifies storms by wind speed as they develop:
Tropical Depression
An organized system of clouds and thunderstorms with sustained winds of 38 mph or less. Given a number, not a name. The earliest stage of a tropical cyclone.
Tropical Storm
Sustained winds of 39–73 mph. This is when the storm gets a name. Tropical storm warnings mean dangerous conditions are expected. Can still cause significant flooding and damage.
Hurricane
Sustained winds of 74 mph or greater. Categories 1–2 are "hurricanes." Categories 3–5 are "major hurricanes." All are dangerous.
Wind Isn't the Whole Story
The Saffir-Simpson scale only measures wind speed. But hurricanes kill in many ways:
Storm Surge
The #1 killer in hurricanes. A wall of ocean water pushed ashore by the storm. A Category 1 hurricane can produce 4–5 feet of surge. A Category 5 can push 20+ feet. Storm surge is not measured by the category — a slow-moving Cat 1 can produce more surge than a fast-moving Cat 3.
Inland Flooding
Hurricanes can dump 10–30+ inches of rain. Hurricane Harvey (2017) dropped over 60 inches on parts of Texas as a Category 4 that weakened to a tropical storm. Most hurricane deaths in recent decades have been from inland flooding, not wind.
Tornadoes
Hurricanes frequently spawn tornadoes, especially in the outer rain bands and the right-front quadrant of the storm. These are typically short-lived but can cause significant damage far from the hurricane's center.
Track Hurricanes on Your Phone
StormCast monitors the National Hurricane Center for active storms in the Atlantic and Pacific. You get push notifications when a storm forms, when it intensifies to a higher category, and when it comes within 500 miles of your location. The Hurricane Tracker shows real NHC forecast tracks, wind fields, and GOES satellite imagery.
Download StormCast Free on Google Play