Final answer:
A Category 3 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale produces a storm surge of 9-12 feet, brought on by winds ranging from 111 to 129 mph. Such hurricanes can cause severe coastal flooding due to the significant rise in sea level.
Step-by-step explanation:
The category of hurricane that produces a storm surge of 9-12 feet is typically a Category 3 on the Saffir-Simpson Scale. This scale classifies hurricanes on a spectrum from 1 to 5, with Category 5 being the most dangerous. Category 3 hurricanes have sustained winds ranging from 111 to 129 mph. These intense winds, in combination with low atmospheric pressure, cause a significant rise in sea level known as a storm surge, which can lead to severe coastal flooding.
Hurricanes are powerful storm systems that form over warm ocean waters and can generate high winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges. When winds reach a sustained speed of 74 miles per hour, a storm is classified as a hurricane. The storm surge is a sudden rise in sea level in coastal areas during a storm or hurricane, caused by the strong winds blowing onshore, compounding the normal tidal levels and causing flooding.