American Meteorological Society Certification (AMS) Practice

The Saffir-Simpson Scale is the correct choice for classifying hurricanes based on their wind speed and the potential for property damage. This scale categorizes hurricanes into five distinct categories, ranging from Category 1, with wind speeds of 74-95 miles per hour and minimal damage, to Category 5, with wind speeds exceeding 157 miles per hour, which can cause catastrophic damage. The categorization is directly related to the expected impacts on structures and the environment, providing important information for emergency management and preparedness.

In contrast, the Beaufort Scale is used to relate wind speed to observed sea conditions and is not specific to hurricanes. The Richter Scale measures the magnitude of earthquakes, which is unrelated to wind speed or hurricane classification. The Fujita Scale, while it relates to tornado strength based on damage and wind estimates, does not apply to hurricanes and thus is not relevant for this context.