The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating based on a hurricane's sustained wind speed. The scale was conceptualized by Meteorologists Robert Simpson and Herbert Saffir and estimates potential property damage from hurricanes.
Category 1 and 2 storms are weaker classifications of hurricanes, but are still dangerous to those especially east of the center of circulation.
Hurricanes reaching category 3 stage are considered major hurricanes because of their potential for significant loss of life and damage. The same strength of storms in the Pacific, named Typhoons, are classified as "Super Typhoons" at this stage.
Within the early part of this century, storm surge/flash flooding has been added to the Saffir Simpson Scale due to the increasing vulnerability of coastal and low-lying areas due to storm surge.
