Saffir/Simpson Hurricane Scale
| Category | Damage | km/h | mph | |
| 1 2 3 4 5 | minimum moderate extensive extreme catastrophic |
119-153 154-177 178-209 210-249 249+ |
74-95 96-110 111-130 131-155 155+ |
Storm surges of 6 metres (20 feet) or more can hit the coastline in super-hurricanes
(category 5). These, more than the hurricanes themselves, bring death and destruction along the
coast. A mound of water builds under the center of the hurricane as the low-pressure area draws
the water up. The mound comes ashore under the eye of the hurricane.
