The National Hurricane Center uses the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale which estimates potential property damage using a 1 to 5 rating depending on the sustained wind speed of a specific hurricane ...

Simpson Hurricane Wind ScaleWhat is a major hurricane? A major hurricane is a Category 3, 4, or 5 storm with winds of at least 111 mphHow long is hurricane season? June 1 - Nov. 30When does a tropical ...

A storm surge is when storm-driven winds push water toward the coastline. As the tide rises, the water overflows onto coastal ...

Erick peaked as a Category 4 hurricane prior to moving onshore early Thursday morning along the southwestern coast of Mexico, ...

Tropical systems are categorized by wind speed, but experts say there's much more to the story when it comes to storm impacts.

The scale has been in use for decades and gives an idea about what kind of wind damage a hurricane can produce, but it says nothing about impacts from storm surge, flooding rain and tornadoes.

The traditional Saffir-Simpson scale categorizes hurricanes on a 1 to 5 rating system based on maximum sustained wind speed, with a Category 5 bearing winds of at least 157 mph.