Hurricanes

Types Of Hurricanes

Hurricanes are measured in 5 categories on the Saffir Simpson Scale 

Category 1 Minimal Wind speeds of 74 - 95 MPH 
Category 2 Moderate Wind speeds of 96 - 110 MPH 
Category 3 Extensive Wind speeds of 111 - 130 MPH 
Category 4 Extreme Wind speeds of 131 - 155 MPH 
Category 5 Catastrophic Wind speeds of over 155 MPH 

Top Ten Hurricane Disasters

Most Deaths Most Damage
1900 Texas 8,000 dead 
1928 Florida 1,836 dead 
1919 Florida 600 dead 
1938 New England 600 dead 
1935 Florida 408 dead 
ANDREW 1992 FL & LA $26.5 billion 
HUGO 1989 SC $7 billion 
FRAN 1996 NC $3.2 billion 
OPAL 1995 FL & AL $3 billion 
FREDERIC 1979 AL & MS $2.3 billion 


Safety Tips...

• Listen to TV or radio for weather bulletins 
• Board up garage and porch doors and stay away from windows 
• Leave home if you might be affected by storm tide or flooding 
• Follow evacuation routes to nearest shelter 
• Turn off electricity and water 
• Fill containers, including bathtub, with several days of drinking water 
• Turn up refrigerator to maximum cold but don't open if not necessary 
• Use phone only for emergencies 

Facts About Hurricanes

o Diameter of the eye can be 12 to 125 meters across 
o Other names for a hurricane are cyclone and typhoon 
o Hurricane season lasts from June 1 to November 30 
o Names are chosen from an alphabetical list of alternating male and female names 
o The National Weather Service started using men's names in 1979