Category No. 1 - Winds of 74 to 95 mph. Damage primarily to shrub and tree foliage, and unanchored mobile homes. No major damage to other structures. Some damage to poorly constructed signs. Low-lying coastal roads inundated, minor pier damage, some small craft in exposed anchorage torn from moorings.

Category No. 2 - Winds of 96 to 110 mph. Considerable damage to shrub and tree foliage; some trees blown down. Major damage to exposed mobile homes. Extensive damage to poorly constructed signs. Some damage to roofing materials of buildings; some window and door damage. No major damage to buildings. Coastal roads and low-lying inland escape routes cut by rising water two to four hours before arrival of the hurricane center. Considerable damage to piers. Marinas flooded. Small craft in unprotected anchorages torn from moorings.

Category No. 3 - Winds of 111 to 130 mph.
Foliage torn from trees; large trees blown down. Practically all poorly constructed signs blown down. Some damage to roofing materials of buildings; some window and door damage. Some structural damage to small buildings. Mobile homes destroyed. Serious flooding at coast and many smaller structures near coast destroyed; large structures near coast damaged by battering waves and floating debris. Low-lying inland escape routes cut by rising water three to 5 hours before hurricane center arrives.

Category No. 4 - Winds of 131 to 155 mph.
Shrubs and trees blown down; all signs down. Extensive damage to roofing materials, windows, and doors. Complete failure of roofs on many small residences. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Major damage to lower floors of structures near shore due to flooding and battering by waves and floating debris. Low lying inland escape routes cut by rising water three to five hours before hurricane center arrives. Major beach erosion.

Category No. 5 - Winds greater than 155 mph.
Shrubs and trees blown down; considerable damage to roofs of buildings; all signs down. Very severe damage to windows and doors. Complete failure of roofs on many residence and industrial buildings. Extensive shattering of glass in windows and doors. Some complete building failures. Small buildings overturned or blown away. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Storm surge greater than 18 feet above normal tide. Low-lying inland escape routes cut by rising water three to five hours before hurricane center arrives. Dr. Neil Frank, former National Hurricane Center Director, has adapted atmospheric pressure ranges to the Saffir/Simpson Scale.