What hurricane ‘strength’ means
A high intensity hurricane in Beaufort County could cause flooding, major damage to buildings and require mass evacuations. Not all hurricanes would bring such destruction, though. The National Weather Service groups hurricanes into five categories based on their wind speed.
CATEGORY 1
Wind speed: 74 to 95 mph
Storm surge: Such winds cause a “storm surge,” pushing the ocean toward the coast, which would cause the water level at the shoreline to rise four to five feet.
CATEGORY 2
Wind speed: 96 to 110 mph
Storm surge: Six to eight feet. A storm of this strength would cause flooding to coastal and low-lying escape routes two to four hours before the arrival of the storm’s center.
CATEGORY 3
Wind speed: 111 to 130 mph
Storm surge: Nine to 12 feet. The storm surge could cut off low-lying escape routes three to five hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane.
CATEGORY 4
Wind speed: 131 to 155 mph
Storm surge: 13 to 18 feet. Roofs would be destroyed on some small residences; doors and windows would be damaged. Lower floors of larger structures near the shore would have major damage.
CATEGORY 5
Wind speed: Greater than 155 mph
Storm surge: Exceeds 18 feet. Roofs would be destroyed on many homes and industrial buildings, and some structures would be destroyed.
Aug. 20, 2015 A look at Beaufort County's hurricane vulnerabilities | READ
This story was originally published May 27, 2016 at 12:02 PM with the headline "What hurricane ‘strength’ means."