"Amended Saffir/Simpson Hurricane Damage Potential Scale"

Category
Central Pressure (inches)
Wind Speed (mph)
Peak Storm Tide Elevation above MSL (ft)
Event Forward Speed (mph)
Storm Tide Rise Time (hr)
Average Erosion Volume (YDS(3)/ft)
Maximun Erosion Volume (yds (3)/ft)
Damage Potential
1
>28.94 (>980)*
74-95
4-5.5
31-55
2.5-4.5
1.2-3.3
2.5-7
Minimal
2
28.50-28.91 (965-979)
96-110
5.5-8.5
18-31
4.5-7.5
3.3-10
7-21
Moderate
3
27.91-2847 (945-964)
111-130
8.5-12.5
12-18
7.5-11
10-25
21-53
Extensive
4
27.17-28.88 (920-944)
131-155
12.5-18
6.5-12
11-21
25-75
53-158
Extreme
5
<27.17 (<920)
>155
>18
<6.5
>21
>75
>158
Catastrophic
* Central pressure in parentheses are in millibars

From: Balsillie, James H. 1999. Volumetric Beach and Coast Erosion Due to Storm and Hurricane Impact. Open File Report No. 78. Florida Geological Survey. Tallahassee, Florida.