* * Weather By Giannetta * *

Charles A. Giannetta

Meteorologist - Professor

* * Bath, Pa. USA* *

* * Hurricanes - Saffir Simpson Scale * *

The Saffir - Simpson Hurricane Intensity Scale is know after its designers. H. S. Saffer, a consulting engineer, and R. H. Simpson, former director of the National Hurricane Center.

Property damages rises rapidy with ranking on the Saffir - Simpson Scale.

Destruction from a catagory 4 or 5 hurricane is 100 to 300 times greater than that caused by a catagory 1 hurricane.

The scale rates hurricanes from 1 to 5, as depicted in the form below.

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"Saffir - Simpson Hurricane Intensity Scale"

* Scale No. *	* Speed in MPH *	* Storm Surge *	* Damage *
1	74 - 95	4 - 5	Minimal: Mainly to trees, shrubbery & unanchored mobile homes.
2	96 - 110	6 - 8	Moderate: Some trees blown down. Major damage to mobile homes. Damage to roofs.
3	111 - 130	9 - 12	Extensive: Leaves blown off trees. Large trees blown down. Mobile homes destroyed. Some damage to small buildings.
4	131 - 155	13 - 18	Extreme: Signs blown down. Heavy damage to roofs, windows, doors. Complete damage to mobile homes. Flooding.
5	155+	18+	Catastrophic: Severe damage to homes and industrial buildings. Small buildings blown down. Major flooding.

© 2013 Charles A. Giannetta

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