What is the scale of the storms severity?

Answer 1

For hurricanes the Saffir Simpson scale is a measure of the storm's windspeeds and the damage they cause. So a category one is 74 to 90 miles per hour. Category 5 is over 157 miles per hour. The scale includes damage designations for each category: 1 some damage, 2. extensive damage, 3. devastating and 4 and 5 catastrophic. Hurricane Katrina came ashore as a category 3. Hurricane Andrew was a category 5.

For Tornados the enhanced Fugita (EF) scale involves wind speed plus damage. So an EF 1 has wind speeds of about 65 to 85 miles per hour and causes some damage to small buildings where an EF 5 indicates winds over 200 miles per hour and catastrophic damage to large buildings, vehicles and trees. The Joplin tornado was an EF 5.

Earthquakes also have ratings based on the type and amount of movement and depth of the epicenter. They are defined by the Richter scale. Low magnitude earthquakes can be rated from about 1.0 to 3.9, are often not even noticed and cause minimal damage. Medium to Moderate earthquakes fall into the 4.0 to 5.9 range causing noticeable shaking and damages. Earthquakes in the 7.0 to 7.9 range are considered major, 8. to 8.9 great and 9.0 to 10 extreme. The earthquake that caused the nuclear accident in Fukishima, Japan in 2011 was described as a 9.0. The 1960 earthquake in Chile was the largest recorded and and was a 9.5.

Answer 2

The scale of storm severity can be assessed using various classification systems, such as the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale for hurricanes, which ranges from Category 1 (minimal damage) to Category 5 (catastrophic damage). Other storms, like tornadoes, are measured using the Enhanced Fujita Scale, which ranges from EF0 (light damage) to EF5 (incredible damage). Additionally, storms can be evaluated based on factors like wind speed, rainfall, and potential for flooding, which collectively contribute to their overall severity and impact.