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Hurricane Terms

Eye:  The center portion of the storm around which winds and rain rotate.  Winds are calm and skies are clear or partly cloudy as the eye of a storm passes.

Gale Warning:  Observed or forecast winds of 34 to 47 knots.

Hurricane:  A topical cyclone with winds of 74 mph or more.

Hurricane Warning:  Hurricane conditions are expected in the warning area, usually within 24 hours.  Complete all storm preparations and evacuate if instructed by officials.

Hurricane Watch:  Hurricane conditions are threatening or possible in the area of the watch, usually within 24 - 36 hours.  Prepare to take immediate action to protect your family and property in case a hurricane warning is issued.

National Hurricane Center:  The National Weather Service offices are located in Dade County, Florida.  It has the responsibility for forecasting tropical storms in the Atlantic Ocean, Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico and the Pacific Ocean east of the international date line.

NOAA:  National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration.

NWS:  National Weather Service.

Small Craft Advisory:  Observed or forecast winds of 18 to 33 knots--Small Craft Advisories may also be issued for hazardous sea conditions or lower wind speeds that may affect small craft operations. Issued up to 12 hours ahead of conditions.  When a hurricane moves within a few hundred miles of the coast, small-craft owners should not venture out into the ocean.

Storm Surge:  A large dome of water often 50 to 100 miles wide that sweeps across the coastline near where a hurricane makes landfall.  The stronger the hurricane and the shallower the offshore water, the higher the surge will be.  Along the coast, the storm surge is the greatest threat to life and property.

Storm Tide:  The combination of the storm surge and the normal astronomical tide.

Storm Warning:  Observed or forecast winds of 48 knots or greater.

Tropical Storm:  A tropical cyclone with 39 to 73 mph winds.  These storms are assigned names.

Tropical Storm Warning:  Observed or forecast winds of 34 to 63 knots associated with a tropical storm.  Tropical storm conditions are expected in the warning area, usually within 24 hours.

Tropical Storm Watch:  Tropical storm conditions are possible in the watch area, usually within 36 hours.

Tropical Depression:  A tropical cyclone with maximum sustained winds near the surface of less than 39 mph.

Tropical Cyclone:  The general term for all circulating weather systems (counterclockwise in the Northern Hemisphere) over tropical waters.  Tropical cyclones are classified as tropical depressions, tropical storms, and hurricanes.

Tropical Disturbance:  A moving area of thunderstorms in the tropics.

Hurricane Categories

Tropical Disturbance (Not Named)

Winds: Less than 38 mph (33 kt or 62 kph).

Tropical Depression (Not Named)

Winds: Less than 38 mph (33 kt or 62 kph).

Tropical Storm (Named)

Winds: 39-73 mph (34-63 kt or 63-118 kph).

Hurricane (Named)

Winds: In excess of 74 mph (64 kt or 119 kph).

 

Saffir-Simpson Category:

Category 1 Hurricane

Category 2 Hurricane

Category 3 Hurricane

Category 4 Hurricane

Category 5 Hurricane

Category 1 Hurricane (Minimal Damage)

Winds: 74-95 mph (64-82 kt or 119-153 kph).

Storm surge: Generally 4-5 ft above normal.

Damage: No real damage to building structures. Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery, and trees. Some damage to poorly constructed signs and minor pier damage.

Flooding: Some coastal road flooding.

Examples: Hurricanes Allison, 1995 and Danny, 1997.

Category 2 Hurricane (Moderate Damage)

Winds: 96-110 mph (83-95 kt or 154-177 kph).

Storm surge: Generally 6-8 feet above normal.

Damage: Some roofing material, door, and window damage of buildings. Considerable damage to shrubbery and trees with some trees blown down. Considerable damage to mobile homes, poorly constructed signs, and piers. Small craft in unprotected anchorages break moorings.

Flooding: Coastal and low-lying escape routes flood 2-4 hours before arrival of the hurricane center.

Examples: Hurricane Bertha, 1996.

Category 3 Hurricane (Extensive Damage)

Winds: 111-130 mph (96-113 kt or 178-209 kph).

Storm surge: Generally 9-12 ft above normal.

Damage: Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings with a minor amount of curtain wall failures. Damage to shrubbery and trees with foliage blown off trees and large tress blown down. Mobile homes and poorly constructed signs are destroyed.

Flooding: Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the hurricane center. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by battering of floating debris. Terrain continuously lower than 5 ft above mean sea level may be flooded inland 8 miles (13 km) or more.

Evacuation: Evacuation of low-lying residences with several blocks of the shoreline may be required.

Examples: Hurricane Fran, 1996.

Category 4 Hurricane (Extreme Damage)

Winds: 131-155 mph (114-135 kt or 210-249 kph).

Storm surge: Generally 13-18 ft above normal.

Damage: More extensive curtain wall failures with some complete roof structure failures on small residences. Shrubs, trees, and all signs are blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Extensive damage to doors and windows.

Flooding: Low-lying escape routes may be cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the hurricane center. Major damage to lower floors of structures near the shore.

Evacuation: Terrain lower than 10 ft above sea level may be flooded requiring massive evacuation of residential areas as far inland as 6 miles (10 km).

Examples: Hurricane Luis of 1995 was a Category Four hurricane while moving over the Leeward Islands. Hurricanes Felix and Opal of 1995 also reached Category Four status at peak intensity.

Category 5 Hurricane (Catastrophic Damage)

Winds: Greater than 155 mph (135 kt or 249 kph).

Storm surge: Generally greater than 18 ft above normal.

Damage: Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. All shrubs, trees, and signs blown down. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Severe and extensive window and door damage.

Flooding: Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the hurricane center. Major damage to lower floors of all structures located less than 15 ft above sea level and within 500 yards of the shoreline.

Evacuation: Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5-10 miles (8-16 km) of the shoreline may be required.

Examples: Hurricane Gilbert, 1988 was a Category Five hurricane at peak intensity and is the strongest Atlantic tropical cyclone of record.