On the shoulders of giants
June 7, 2016
Thelma Rounds
June 7, 2016
The Saffir-Simpson scale is used to measure a hurricane’s intensity and estimate the potential property damage and coastal flooding. The scale is determined by wind speed, since storm surge sizes depend on the slope of the continental shelf. These storm descriptions may help your family to be aware and stay prepared:
TROPICAL STORM
This type of storm is your first warning that a hurricane may be on the way. A tropical storm is an organized group of spinning thunderstorms with sustained winds between 39 and 73 mph.
This level of storm is dangerous for people in temporary housing and homes that have not been repaired since last hurricane season. If a tropical storm is slow-moving, the levels of rain produced can cause dangerous inland flooding. Residents should evacuate all temporary housing before tropical storm winds arrive.
CATEGORY 1 HURRICANE
Winds 74-95 mph. Storm surge four to five feet above normal. Damage primarily to unanchored mobile homes, shrubbery and trees. Some damage to poorly constructed signs and piers.
Unanchored mobile homes and weak permanent structures can be damaged or destroyed and homes in flood areas may be extra vulnerable. Hurricane Lili in 2002, a Category 1 storm, killed 16 people and caused $415 million worth of damage.
CATEGORY 2 HURRICANE
Winds 96-110 mph. Storm surge six to eight feet above normal. Some roof, door and window damage of buildings. Considerable damage to mobile homes, small watercraft, trees, poorly constructed signs and piers. Flooding of coastal and low-lying areas.
Hurricane Georges blew across the Caribbean and into the Gulf of Mexico as a Category 2 storm in 1998. Georges damaged six countries, killed 603 people (two in Louisiana), and caused nearly $6 billion worth of damage. In New Orleans, during the height of the storm, 14,000 people took shelter in the Superdome and the levees were topped by nine feet of water.
CATEGORY 3 HURRICANE
Winds 111-130 mph. Storm surge 9 to 12 feet above normal. Some structural damage to small homes. Mobile homes destroyed and large trees blown down. Coastal flooding destroys smaller structures and floating debris damages larger structures. Terrain lower than 5 feet above sea level may flood as far as 8 miles inland.
Residents should take every precaution advised by local officials during a Category 3 hurricane and evacuate safely and calmly from all coastal areas in advance of landfall.
Hurricane Rita, which struck September 2005 along the Texas-Louisiana line, was a Category 3 storm. The extended southerly winds associated with that system pushed a devastating storm surge into lower areas of Lafourche and Terrebonne parishes.
CATEGORY 4 HURRICANE
Winds 131-155 mph. Storm surge 13 to 18 feet above normal. Wall failures and roof collapses on small homes, and extensive damage to doors and windows. Complete destruction of some homes, especially mobile homes. Major coastal flooding damage. Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was a Category 4 storm, as was Hurricane Ivan, which made landfall near Gulf Shores, Ala., in September 2004.
Those old enough to remember Audrey in 1957 will recall that Category 4 hurricane as the deadliest storm in Louisiana before Katrina, with an estimated 500 people killed.
CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE
Winds greater than 155 mph. Storm surge greater than 18 feet above normal. Complete roof failure on many homes and industrial buildings. Smaller buildings and mobile homes blown over or completely blown away. Major damage to lower floors of all structures located less than 15 feet above sea level and within 500 yards of the shoreline. Massive evacuation of residential areas on low ground within 5 to 10 miles inland may be required.
The last Category 5 storm to hit the U.S. was Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Hurricane Camille in 1969 was the “storm to end all storms” in the Gulf region, but because it had much less rainfall and flooding than Katrina, people who survived both storms now believe Katrina was worse. Camille was a smaller, more intense storm than Katrina with winds that caused a 24-foot storm surge that made the Mississippi River run backwards for 125 miles. •
