Category three hurricane: A hurricane with winds 111-130 mph (96-113 kt or 178-209 km/hr). Storm surge generally 9-12 ft above normal. Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings with a minor amount of curtainwall failures. Damage to shrubbery and trees with foliage blown off trees and large trees blown down. Mobile homes and poorly constructed signs are destroyed. Low-lying escape routes are cut by rising water 3-5 hours before arrival of the center of the hurricane. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures with larger structures damaged by battering from floating debris. Terrain continuously lower than 5 ft above mean sea level may be flooded inland 8 miles (13 km) or more. Evacuation of low-lying residences with several blocks of the shoreline may be required.
Hurricanes are rated on a 1-5 scale based on the hurricane's intensity. The scale is used to give an estimate of the potential property damage and flooding expected along the coast from a hurricane landfall. Wind speed is the determining factor in the scale, as storm surge values are highly dependent on the slope of the continental shelf in the landfall region.
See: Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale.
Example: Hurricane Isabel (2003) in North Carolina Category Three Hurricane. Maximum Sustained Wind Speed: 111-130 miles per hour Damage Category: Extensive
The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale was updated in early 2010. Below are links to the updated documents which were accepted by the National Weather Service.
Category three hurricane: A hurricane with winds 111-130 mph (96-113 kt or 178-209 km/hr). Storm surge generally 9-12 ft above normal. Some structural damage to small ...
Category Three Hurricane (Sustained winds 111-130 mph, 96-113 kt, or 178-209 km/hr). Devastating damage will occur. There is a high risk of injury or death to ...
Category 3 Hurricanes . CATEGORY THREE HURRICANE: Winds 111-130 mph (96-113 kt or 178-209 kph). Storm surge generally 9-12 feet above normal. Some structural damage to ...