The difference in hurricane wind speeds and the damage extent

By Mike Maze, WRAL meteorologist

You often hear us talk about categories of hurricanes. It’s the wind speed along the Saffir Simpson Scale that dictates what the category is with each storm.

We can predict what kind of damage will be done to your home and surroundings based on how strong the winds will be.

With a Category 1, damage from this kind of storm is minimal. Some shingles will come off homes and trees will begin to bend.

Winds with a Category 2 storm will certainly cause more extensive damage. Siding can be pulled away from the home, flying debris can break windows and trees are significantly bent over.

A Category 3 storm can cause the door of a house to blow in because the winds are so strong. The roof will likely begin to flap up and down and some trees begin to fall.

A Category 4 storm will cause even worse damage. Most of the trees will begin to fall. Almost all of the windows will break. Most of the roof singles will fly away.

Once you get to a Category 5, you have catastrophic damage. The shingles are completely gone, holes form in the roof and walls begin to fall. No trees remain standing.