| HURRICANE INFORMATION |
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Hurricane season is June 1 through November 30. A typical season is most active from August through October. Hurricanes are divided into five categories, from Category 1, which produces the least damage, to Category 5, which causes the most devastating damage.
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| CATEGORY 1 - WINDS 74-95 miles per hour |
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- Damage primarily to shrubbery, trees, and unanchored mobile homes. No real 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.
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| CATEGORY 2 - WINDS 96-110 miles per hour |
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- Considerable damage to shrubbery 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; and some window and door damage. No major damage to buildings.
- Coastal roads and low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 2-4 hours before arrival of hurricane's center.
- Considerable damage to piers. Marinas flooded and small craft in unprotected anchorages torn from their moorings.
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| CATEGORY 3 - WINDS 111-130 miles per hour |
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- 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; structural damage to small buildings.
- Mobile homes destroyed.
- Serious flooding at coast and many smaller structures near coast destroyed.
- Low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 3-5 hours before the hurricane's center arrives.
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| CATEGORY 4 - WINDS 131-155 miles per hour |
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- 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.
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| CATEGORY 5 - WINDS 155+ miles per hour |
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- Shrubs and trees blown down; considerable damage to roofs of buildings; all signs down.
- Very severe and extensive damage to windows and doors; complete failure of roofs on many residences 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.
- Low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 3-5 hours before the hurricane's center arrives.
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| Related Resources |
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Evacuations
Shelters
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Updated August 2007
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