Source: hurricane.sc
Storm LevelDamageWindsPower Outages
Category 1
MinimalSome damage to roofs, siding, gutters, trees, and power lines.74-95 mphOutages could last several days
Category 2
ModerateDangerous winds could cause extensive damage to homes and buildings. Shallowly rooted trees will be snapped or uprooted96-110 mphNear total power loss that could last from several day to weeks
Category 3
ModerateDevastating damage to homes and other buildings. Trees will be snapped and uprooted111-129 mphElectricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks
Category 4
ExtremeCatastrophic damage to roofs and exterior walls and homes of buildings. Affected areas will be uninhabitable for weeks or months130-156 mphOutages could last for weeks to possibly months
Category 5
CatastrophicMany framed homes will be destroyed by total roof failure and wall collapse. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks and months.157 + mphOutages will last for weeks to possibly months
During hurricane season flooding is not the only issue. The wind can be just as deadly as the water. This week’s topic on hurricane preparedness is the wind: its speed by category, the damage it can do, and how it can affect people through power outages.
