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The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale

Category (1)	Sustained wind speed (mph)	Wind damage	Historical example
1	74-95	Very dangerous winds will produce some damage	Hurricane Dolly, 2008, South Padre Island, Texas
2	96-110	Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage	Hurricane Frances, 2004, Port St. Lucie, Florida
3	111-129	Devastating damage will occur	Hurricane Ivan, 2004, Gulf Shores, Alabama
4	130-156	Catastrophic damage will occur	Hurricane Charley, 2004, Punta Gorda, Florida
5	157 or higher	Catastrophic damage will occur	Hurricane Andrew, 1992, Cutler Ridge, Florida

(1) Category 3 or higher storms are classified as "major."

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Hurricane Center.

THE SAFFIR-SIMPSON HURRICANE WIND SCALE

			Historical examples
Category	Sustained wind speed	Wind damage	Gulf coast	Atlantic coast
1	74-95 mph	Damaging winds expected	Hurricane Cindy, 2005	Hurricane Gaston, 2004
2	96-110 mph	Very strong winds producing widespread damage	Hurricane Erin, 1995	Hurricane Isabel, 2003
3	111-130 mph	Dangerous winds causing extensive damage	Hurricane Rita, 2005	Hurricane Jeanne, 2004
4	131-155 mph	Extremely dangerous winds causing devastating damage	Hurricane Charley, 2004	Hurricane Hugo, 1989
5	More than 155 mph	Catastrophic damage expected	Hurricane Camille, 1969	Hurricane Andrew, 1992

Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Hurricane Center.