Cyclone categories

   

      Land Impact

 

      Sea State

Tropical Low

  land tropical low   sea tropical low

Strong winds 

  Negligible house damage to old thatch houses and some garden crops like banana trees. Whistling heard in power and telephone wires, whole trees in motion.   Large waves begin to form, white foams crests are more extensive from breaking waves. White foams blown in streaks along wind direction.

 Category 1

  land category 1   sea category 1

Gale Force 
 90 - 125 km/h 

  Twigs break off trees. Slight structural damage occurs – roofing dislodged, larger branches break off. Garden crop damage.   Moderately high to high waves of greater length, dense streaks of foam.

Category 2

  land category 2   sea category 2

Storm Force
 125 - 164 km/h

  Considerable structural damage. Trees uprooted, heavy damage to some crops. Risk of power failure.   Very high waves with over hanging crests, dense white streaks, tumbling of sea becomes heavy with visibility affected.

Category 3

  land category 3   sea category 3
 Destructive Hurricane Force winds
 165 - 224 km/h
  Some roof and structural damage. Some local thatch houses destroyed. Power failures likely.   Phenomenal high waves, sea is covered with long white patches of foam, the air is filled with foam and spray, visibility very seriously affected.

 Catgeory 4

   land category 4    sea category 4
Very destructive Hurricane Force winds
 225 - 279 km/h
  Significant roofing loss and structural damage. Many thatch houses destroyed and blown away. Dangerous airborne debris. Widespread power failures.   Phenomenal high waves, sea is covered with long white patches of foam, the air is filled with foam and spray, visibility very seriously affected.

Category 5 

   land category 5    sea category 5
Catastrophic Hurricane Force winds
more than 280 km/h
   Extremely dangerous with widespread destruction.    Phenomenal high waves, sea is covered with long white patches of foam, the air is filled with foam and spray, visibility very seriously affected.