Land Impact |
Sea State |
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Tropical Low |
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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 |
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Gale Force |
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 |
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Storm Force |
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 |
 |
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| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| 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. |
