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Alternative Metrics of Tropical Cyclone Impact
Tropical cyclone damage potential, as currently defined by the Saffir-Simpson scale and the maximum sustained surface wind speed in the storm, fails to consider the area impact of winds likely to force surge and waves or cause particular levels of damage. Integrated Kinetic Energy (IKE) represents a framework that captures the physical process of ocean surface stress forcing waves and surge while also taking into account structural wind loading and the spatial coverage of the wind.
A wind destructive potential rating is constructed by weighting wind speed threshold contributions to the integrated kinetic energy, based on observed damage in Hurricanes Andrew, Hugo, and Opal. A combined storm surge and wave destructive potential rating was assigned according to the integrated kinetic energy contributed by winds greater than tropical storm force. The ratings are based on the familiar 1-5 range, with continuous fits to allow for storms as weak as 0.1 or as strong as 5.99.
For references click here..
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"Tropical Cyclone Destructive Potential by Integrated Kinetic Energy"
Powell and Reinhold (April 2007) Bulletin of the AMS
"The maximum sustained surface wind speed and the Saffir-Simpson scale are poor indicators of a hurricane?s destructive potential; integrated kinetic energy is more relevant to damage by wind, storm surge, and waves."
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