What to Know About Hurricane Categories
Hurricanes are powerful storms that can devastate a large area in a matter of minutes. When the National Hurricane Center (NHC) issues a hurricane watch or warning, it is important to know what a hurricane category means so that communities would know exactly how to prepare for an incoming storm. Hurricane categories may not be able to predict everything, but they can indicate the potential effects a hurricane might cause a local area. ServiceMaster of Savannah discusses them below. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale is used to measure a hurricane's maximum sustained wind speed using a rating of 1 to 5. The NHC uses this scale for assessing the potential magnitude of a hurricane's impact in order to alert residents and help them prepare their properties ahead of time. However, the Saffir-Simpson Scale cannot be used to measure the likelihood of hurricane-related hazards such as storm surges, heavy rainfall and tornadoes. Hurr