Gloria 1985 1 Bob 1991 2 Floyd 1999 Tropical Storm Irene 2011 Tropical Storm Sandy 2012 Super Storm Probability of Future Events Amherst’s location in western Massachusetts reduces the risk of extremely high winds that are associated with hurricanes, although it can experience some high wind events. The probability of future events is estimated to be or between 1 and 10 percent in any given year. “low,” Impact A description of the damages that could occur due to a hurricane is described by the Saffir-Simpson scale, as shown below. Hurricane Damage Classifications Damage Wind Speed Description of Damages (MPH) Category No real damage to building structures. Damage MINIMAL primarily to unanchored mobile shrubbery, 1 and trees. Also, some coastal flooding and minor 74-95 Very dangerous winds will pier damage. An example of a Category 1 hurricane produce some damage is Hurricane Dolly (2008). Some roofing material, door, and window damage. MODERATE Considerable damage to vegetation, mobile homes, etc. Flooding damages piers and small craft in 2 96-110 unprotected moorings may break their moorings. Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage An example of a Category 2 hurricane is Hurricane Francis in 2004. Some structural damage to small residences and EXTENSIVE utility buildings, with a minor amount of curtain wall failures. Mobile homes are destroyed. Flooding 3 near the coast destroys smaller structures, with 111-129 Devastating damage will larger structures damaged by floating debris. occur Terrain may be flooded well inland. An example of a Category 3 hurricane is Hurricane Ivan (2004). 4 EXTREME
Gloria 1985 1 Bob 1991 2 Floyd 1999 Tropical Storm Irene 2011 Tropical Storm Sandy 2012 Super Storm Probability of Future Events Amherst’s location in western Massachusetts reduces the risk of extremely high winds that are associated with hurricanes, although it can experience some high wind events. The probability of future events is estimated to be “low,” or between 1 and 10 percent in any given year. Impact A description of the damages that could occur due to a hurricane is described by the Saffir-Simpson scale, as shown below. Hurricane Damage Classifications Category Damage Description of Damages Wind Speed (MPH) 1 MINIMAL No real damage to building structures. Damage primarily to unanchored mobile shrubbery, and trees. Also, some coastal flooding and minor pier damage. An example of a Category 1 hurricane is Hurricane Dolly (2008). 74-95 Very dangerous winds will produce some damage 2 MODERATE Some roofing material, door, and window damage. Considerable damage to vegetation, mobile homes, etc. Flooding damages piers and small craft in unprotected moorings may break their moorings. An example of a Category 2 hurricane is Hurricane Francis in 2004. 96-110 Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage 3 EXTENSIVE Some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings, with a minor amount of curtain wall failures. Mobile homes are destroyed. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures, with larger structures damaged by floating debris. Terrain may be flooded well inland. An example of a Category 3 hurricane is Hurricane Ivan (2004). 111-129 Devastating damage will occur 4 EXTREME
AmherstHazMitPlanUpdateMarch2016.docx