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'''Herbert Saffir''' ([[29 March]] [[1917]] &ndash; [[21 November]] [[2007]]) was the developer of the [[Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale]], for measuring the intensity of hurricanes. As recently as 2005, Saffir was the principal of Saffir Engineering<ref>http://www.enr.construction.com/opinions/lettersUpdates/archives/051121.asp</ref> in [[Coral Gables, Florida]]. He has published articles on designing buildings for high wind resistance.<ref>[http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&lr=&safe=off&q=author%3Ah-saffir&btnG=Search Google Scholar search for H Saffir]</ref>
'''Herbert Saffir''' ([[29 March]] [[1917]] &ndash; [[21 November]] [[2007]]) was the developer of the [[Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale]], for measuring the intensity of hurricanes. As recently as 2005, Saffir was the principal of Saffir Engineering<ref>http://www.enr.construction.com/opinions/lettersUpdates/archives/051121.asp</ref> in [[Coral Gables, Florida]]. He has published articles on designing buildings for high wind resistance.<ref>[http://scholar.google.com/scholar?hl=en&lr=&safe=off&q=author%3Ah-saffir&btnG=Search Google Scholar search for H Saffir]</ref>


Saffir graduated from the [[Georgia Institute of Technology]] in 1940 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering.<ref>http://www.alumni.gatech.edu/news/ttopics/win95/hallfame.html</ref> Saffir worked for [[Dade County, Florida]] beginning in 1947 as an assistant county engineer, and worked on updating the county [[building code]]. In 1969, while working on a study of windstorm damage on low-cost housing commissioned by the [[United Nations]], Saffir developed a scale to measure the intensity of hurricanes. [[Bob_Simpson_(meteorologist)|Robert Simpson]], then-director of the [[National Hurricane Center]], added information on the damage done by storm surge, resulting in the [[Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale]].<ref>http://www.novalynx.com/saffir-interview.html Q&A with Herbert Saffir&nbsp;&mdash; June 2001 interview from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel</ref>
Saffir graduated from the [[Georgia Institute of Technology]] in 1940 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering.<ref>http://www.alumni.gatech.edu/news/ttopics/win95/hallfame.html</ref> Saffir worked for [[Dade County, Florida]] beginning in 1947 as an assistant county engineer, and worked on updating the county [[building code]]. In 1965, while working on a study of windstorm damage on low-cost housing commissioned by the [[United Nations]], Saffir developed a scale to categorize the intensity of hurricanes by their maximum wind speed. In 1969, his friend [[Bob_Simpson_(meteorologist)|Robert Simpson]], then-director of the [[National Hurricane Center]], added information on the potential storm surge and range of central pressures for each category, resulting in what later became known as the [[Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale]].<ref>http://www.novalynx.com/saffir-interview.html Q&A with Herbert Saffir&nbsp;&mdash; June 2001 interview from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel</ref>


Saffir survived the burning of the cruise ship [[SS Morro Castle]] ship on [[8 September]] [[1934]], en route from Havana to New York when the ship caught fire and burned, killing a total of 137 passengers and crew members. He floated for nearly five hours before being rescued, according to his account related to friends.
Saffir survived the burning of the cruise ship [[SS Morro Castle]] ship on [[8 September]] [[1934]], en route from Havana to New York when the ship caught fire and burned, killing a total of 137 passengers and crew members. He floated for nearly five hours before being rescued, according to his account related to friends.

Revision as of 13:42, 12 December 2007

National Weather Service Director Jack Kelly presents Herbert Saffir (on right) with a framed poster of Hurricane Andrew depicting the Saffir-Simpson scale

Herbert Saffir (29 March 191721 November 2007) was the developer of the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale, for measuring the intensity of hurricanes. As recently as 2005, Saffir was the principal of Saffir Engineering[1] in Coral Gables, Florida. He has published articles on designing buildings for high wind resistance.[2]

Saffir graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology in 1940 with a B.S. in Civil Engineering.[3] Saffir worked for Dade County, Florida beginning in 1947 as an assistant county engineer, and worked on updating the county building code. In 1965, while working on a study of windstorm damage on low-cost housing commissioned by the United Nations, Saffir developed a scale to categorize the intensity of hurricanes by their maximum wind speed. In 1969, his friend Robert Simpson, then-director of the National Hurricane Center, added information on the potential storm surge and range of central pressures for each category, resulting in what later became known as the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale.[4]

Saffir survived the burning of the cruise ship SS Morro Castle ship on 8 September 1934, en route from Havana to New York when the ship caught fire and burned, killing a total of 137 passengers and crew members. He floated for nearly five hours before being rescued, according to his account related to friends.

Saffir died of a heart attack late 21 November 2007 at South Miami Hospital, according to his son, Richard Saffir.[5]

References

  1. ^ http://www.enr.construction.com/opinions/lettersUpdates/archives/051121.asp
  2. ^ Google Scholar search for H Saffir
  3. ^ http://www.alumni.gatech.edu/news/ttopics/win95/hallfame.html
  4. ^ http://www.novalynx.com/saffir-interview.html Q&A with Herbert Saffir — June 2001 interview from the South Florida Sun-Sentinel
  5. ^ "Obituary: Herb Saffir of Saffir-Simpson Scale dies". Retrieved 2007-11-27.

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