| None |
Threat (limited, or no, impact) -
No discernable threat to life and property; winds to remain below tropical storm-force (39 mph), but windy conditions may still be present.
Minimum Action - Evaluate personal and community disaster plans and ensure seasonal preparedness activities are complete.
Potential Impact - Wind damage is not expected; impact should be negligible. |
| Low |
Threat -
An elevated threat to life and property; the likelihood for moderate tropical storm force sustained winds (39 to 57 mph) with gusts from 58 to 73 mph.
Minimum Action - Prepare for minor to locally moderate wind damage.
Potential Impact - Winds will be capable of causing damage to unanchored mobile homes, porches, carports, and awnings; some shingles blown from roofs. Large branches break off trees; some shallow-rooted and diseased trees blown down. Loose objects are easily blown about and become dangerous projectiles. Winds dangerous on bridges and causeways, especially for high profile vehicles. Scattered power outages, especially in areas with above ground lines. |
| Moderate |
Threat -
A significant threat to life and property; the likelihood for sustained high end tropical storm force winds (58 to 73 mph) with gusts to Category 1 Hurricane Force winds (74 to 95 mph).
Minimum Action - Prepare for moderate wind damage.
Potential Impact - Most mobile homes will experience moderate to substantial damage. Some of poor construction will be destroyed. Houses of poor to average construction will have significant damage to shingles, siding, and gutters; more serious structural damage is possible. Unprotected windows may blow out. Many screened porches will be damaged. Well constructed homes will also see shingle and siding damage, especially with longer lasting winds. Unfastened light to moderate weight items will become airborne causing additional damage and possible injury. Hundreds of wires will be blown down. Local power outages will affect entire neighborhoods.
Many large branches of healthy trees will be snapped, and rotting small to medium sized trees will be uprooted. Numerous palm fronds will be blown down, and minor to moderate damage will occur to citrus orchards and newly planted lowland crops. |
| High |
Threat -
A critical threat to life and property; the likelihood for sustained Category 1 Hurricane-force winds (74 to 95 mph) with frequent gusts to Category 2 (96 to 110 mph).
Minimum Action - Prepare for major wind damage.
Potential Impact - Life-threatening winds are possible. The majority of older mobile homes will be severely damaged or destroyed. Those that remain will be uninhabitable until repaired. Houses of poor to average construction will have major damage including partial wall collapse and roofs being lifted off. Many will be uninhabitable until repaired. Well constructed houses will incur minor to moderate damage of shingles, siding, and gutters, as well as blown out unprotected windows. Partial roof failure is expected in industrial parks, especially to those buildings with light weight steel and aluminum coverings. Older low-rising apartment roofs may also be torn off, as well as siding and shingle damage. Airborne debris will cause damage, injury, and possible death. Power outages will be widespread. Numerous lines will be pulled down, and a number of power poles will fall.
All trees with rotting bases will uproot or snap. Nearly all large healthy branches will snap. Healthy trees will uproot, especially where ground is saturated. Major damage is expected to citrus orchards. Most newly planted crops will be damaged. |
| Extreme |
Threat -
An extreme threat to life and property; the likelihood for sustained hurricane-force winds greater than 95 mph (Category 2 and above) and frequent gusts greater than 110 mph (Category 3 and above).
Minimum Action - Prepare for extreme to catastrophic wind damage.
Potential Impact - For sustained winds between 95 and 110 mph with gusts up to 130 mph: Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive to catastrophic damage. All older mobile homes will be destroyed. Houses of poor to average construction will be destroyed or severely damaged. Moderate to major damage of well constructed houses will include up to one half of all gabled roofs. In addition, a significant number of exterior walls will fail. Aluminum and light weight steel roofs will be torn off buildings at industrial parks. Partial roof and exterior wall failure are likely at low rise apartment buildings, especially those of poor to average construction. Most windows in tall buildings will be blown out, with other minor to moderate damage possible due to swaying. Airborne debris of light to moderate weight will cause additional major damage, as well as injuries and a few fatalities.
Near total power loss is expected. Many power poles will be knocked down, and numerous transformers will pop. The availability of potable water will be diminished as filtration systems begin to fail.
Thousands of trees will be severely damaged. Up to three quarters of all healthy small to medium sized trees will snap or uproot, especially on saturated ground. Severe damage is expected to citrus orchards, some orchards may face total destruction. Most of the newly planted ground crops will be wiped out. Livestock left to weather the storm will be injured, some critically. Some livestock deaths are likely. |
Note: For sustained winds greater than 110 mph
Potential Impact - For Sustained winds greater than 110 mph with gusts greater than 130 mph: Life-threatening winds will produce unprecedented damage. Most of the affected area will be uninhabitable for weeks, perhaps longer in some instances. At least one half of well constructed homes will have roof and wall failure. All gabled roofs will fail, and most of those homes will be destroyed. The majority of industrial buildings will become non-functional; partial to complete wall and roof damage is likely. All wood framed low rising apartment buildings will be destroyed. Concrete block or brick low rise apartments will have major damage, including some wall and roof failure. Tall buildings will sway dangerously, a few to the point of total collapse. All windows will be blown out in them. Airborne debris will be widespread and include heavy items such as household appliances and even some light automobiles. Sport utility vehicles and light trucks will be moved or tossed. The blown debris will create additional destruction. Persons and pets caught outdoors will face certain death if struck.
Power outages will last for weeks as most power poles will blow down, and transformers will be destroyed. Water shortages will make human suffering incredible by modern standards.
A majority of native trees will be snapped or uprooted. Only the heartiest will remain standing, and will be totally defoliated. Few crops will remain standing. Livestock left to weather the storm will be killed.
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