2.2 Saffir–Simpson Scale and associated cyclone hazards
The Saffir–Simpson Scale is a guideline for the damage potential of a tropical cyclone based solely on sustained windspeed (Saffir and Simpson, 1969). Potential cyclone damages due to storm winds, storm surges and storm waves associated with the five Saffir–Simpson categories are shown in Figure 2.1, Table 2.1 and 2.2.
Figure 2.1 Windspeed based on the Saffir–Simpson Scale and
associated cyclone damage levels (USACE, 2002)
| Cat |
Central pressure [mb] |
Wind speed [km/h] |
Peak
storm surge elevation above MSL [m] |
Cyclone
centre forward speed [km/h] |
Storm
surge rise time [hr] |
Average
beach erosion volume [m3/m shoreline] |
Max.
beach erosion volume [m3/m shoreline] |
Damage potential |
|
1
|
>980
|
119–
153 |
1.2–1.7
|
50–88
|
2.5–4.5
|
3.0–8.3
|
6.3–17.6
|
Minimal
|
|
2
|
965–979
|
154–
177 |
1.7–2.6
|
29–50
|
4.5–7.5
|
8.3–25
|
17.6–53
|
Moderate
|
|
3
|
945–964
|
178–
210 |
2.6–3.8
|
19–29
|
7.5–11
|
25–63
|
53–133
|
Extensive
|
|
4
|
920–944
|
211–
250 |
3.8–5.5
|
10–19
|
11–21
|
63–190
|
133–400
|
Extreme
|
|
5
|
<920 b="">
|
>250
|
>5.5
|
<10 b="">
|
>21
|
>190
|
>400
|
Catastrophic
|
Table 2.2
Local sea states with characteristic wave heights (H) and wave periods (T)
generated by cyclones for the Saffir–Simpson categories
(USACE, 2002)
(USACE, 2002)
