| The Saffir-Simpson scale is used to classify the strength of tropical
storms and hurricanes. The scale uses wind speed as a
determining factor...with hurricanes rated from Category 1 (74-95 mph) to Category 5 (155
+ mph). As the wind speed increases, storm surge becomes
more of an issue. The storm surge is ocean water that has been piled up by the wind and
driven inland...sometimes causing serious flooding.
Below is a table showing the Saffir-Simpson scale (wind speeds and expected storm
surge), along with a few past hurricanes and where they were represented on the scale.
|
www.weather.gov
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