Hurricane Damage by Category

8/6/2020 (Permalink)

Here are some tips for hurricane preparations.

In Florida the most common and reoccurring natural disaster is a hurricane. However, no two hurricanes are alike. Its strength will determine the level of destruction it leaves behind. A hurricane’s strength is classified by categories. Below are the five categories and what you can expect:

• Category 1: Wind speeds range between 74-95mph. Damage tend to be minor with the potential for small trees to be uprooted from the ground and branches snapping off of trees.  Power outages are also very common in this category.
• Category 2: Wind speeds range between 96-110 mph. It can cause moderate damage to your property. Includes damage from a Cat 1 hurricane as well as roof, gutter, and siding issues on homes.
• Category 3: Wind speeds range from 111-129 mph. Categories 3-5 are classified as “major threats”. Includes damage from Cats 1&2 as well as potential loss of the roof deck (the base of your roof not just the shingles), flooding and electric/water outages after the storm.
• Category 4: Wind speed range from 130-156 mph. Includes the damages from Cats 1-3 as well as complete detachments of roof and sidings, uprooting of large trees and knocked down power lines.
• Category 5: Wind speeds are 157+ mph. Extremely dangerous and generally requires compete evacuations. Includes damages from Cats 1-4 as well as a potential of complete home destruction. Flooding, power outages, road blocks, and damaged homes often leave communities uninhabitable for months.

It is critical during any hurricane that you always follow the instructions of your local authorities and make all preparations necessary to preserve life and property.

SERVPRO of Vero Beach

www.SERVPROverobeach.com

772-770-0501