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Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale is a 1 to 5 rating based on the hurricane's sustained wind speed.This scale estimates potential property damage.Hurricanes or Typhoons reaching Category 3 and higher are considered major hurricanes because of their great potential for loss of life and damage.Category 1 and 2 storms are still very dangerous and warrant preventative measures. For more detailed information on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale for Hawaii,please visit:www.weather.gov/cphc/pages/aboutsshs.php. Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale Category 1 Hurricane: Sustained winds 74-95 mph(64-82 kt or 119-153 km/hr).Damaging winds are expected.Some damage to building structures could occur,primarily to unanchored structures(such as school portables). Damage to signs. Loose outdoor items become projectiles. Numerous broken branches from large trees and smaller trees uprooted. Hurricane Iwa(passing just northwest of Kauai in 1982)and Hurricane Dot(landfall on Kauai in 1959)are examples of Category One hurricanes that directly impacted Hawaii. Category 2 Hurricane: Sustained winds 96-110 mph (83-95 kt or 154-177 km/h). Very strong winds will produce widespread damage. Damage to windows and roofs.Considerable damage to poorly constructed buildings. Extensive damage to utility poles and lines. There is no record of a Category Two hurricane directly impacting Hawaii. Category 3 Hurricane: Sustained winds 111-130 mph (96-113 kt or 178-209 km/h). Dangerous winds will cause extensive damage. Some structural damage to well constructed homes and buildings. Poorly constructed structured destroyed. Large trees snapped or uprooted. Near total power loss. Considerable damage to above ground utilities. There is no record of a Category Three hurricane directly impacting Hawaii. Category 4 Hurricane: Sustained winds 131-155 mph (114-135 kt or 210-249 km/h). Extremely dangerous will cause devastating damage. Some wall failures and complete roof structure failures on houses will occur. Complete destruction of poorly constructed buildings. Most trees uprooted or snapped. Widespread damage to above ground utilities and complete power loss. Hurricane Iniki,which made landfall on Kauai in 1992,is an example of a Category Four hurricane at landfall in Hawaii. Category 5 Hurricane: Sustained winds greater than 155 mph (135 kt or 249 km/hr). Catastrophic damage. Complete roof failure on many residences and industrial buildings. Some complete damage to well built homes. Nearly all trees snapped or uprooted. Most wooden utility poles blown down. Power outages will last for weeks and possible months. There is no record of a Category Five hurricane directly impacting Hawaii. 4