Current:Home > Contact-usCategory 1 to 5: The meaning behind each hurricane category-LoTradeCoin
Category 1 to 5: The meaning behind each hurricane category
View Date:2024-12-23 21:16:01
Hurricane Idalia made landfall in Florida's Big Bend region Wednesday morning as an "extremely dangerous" Category 3 storm.
But how intense is a Category 3 hurricane, and what do the different categories mean for people in the storm's path?
The National Weather Service uses the Saffir-Simpson Scale, which only measures a hurricane's sustained wind speeds using a 1 to 5 rating system. This scale provides estimates of potential property damage, according to NWS.
Category 1 hurricane
A Category 1 hurricane has sustained winds between 74-95 mph, according to NWS.
Its "very dangerous winds" will cause some damage to roofs, shingles, vinyl sidings and gutters on well-built homes, NWS said on its website.
"Large branches of trees will snap and shallowly rooted trees may be toppled," the NWS said. "Extensive damage to power lines and poles likely will result in power outages that could last a few to several days."
Category 2 hurricane
Winds on a Category 2 hurricane are between 96-110 mph. According to the NWS, its "extremely dangerous winds" can cause major roof and siding damage to well-constructed homes.
"Many shallowly rooted trees will be snapped or uprooted and block numerous roads. Near-total power loss is expected with outages that could last from several days to weeks," NWS said.
Storms that are Category 3-5 are considered major hurricanes.
Category 3 hurricane
A Category 3 hurricane has continuous winds between 111-129 mph, where "devastating damage will occur," the NWS said.
"Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks after the storm passes," according to the agency.
Category 4 hurricane
Category 4 storms can cause "catastrophic damage" with their 130-156 mph winds. A Category 4 storm can cause severe damage to well-constructed homes, including damaging most of the roof and exterior walls.
"Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months," the NWS said on its website about Category 4 storms.
Category 5 hurricane
Category 5 hurricanes are the most devastating, with sustained winds of at least 157 mph.
"A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas," the NWS said. "Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months."
ABC News' William Mansell and Karma Allen contributed to this report.
veryGood! (796)
Related
- Utah AD Mark Harlan rips officials following loss to BYU, claims game was 'stolen from us'
- 2 Army soldiers killed, 12 injured in crash of military transport vehicle in Alaska
- Pope Francis opens possibility for blessing same-sex unions
- 2 Army soldiers killed, 12 injured in crash of military transport vehicle in Alaska
- Prosecutor failed to show that Musk’s $1M-a-day sweepstakes was an illegal lottery, judge says
- US announces sweeping action against Chinese fentanyl supply chain producers
- Shoppers flee major shopping mall in Bangkok after hearing reports of gunshots
- Want to fight climate change and food waste? One app can do both
- Francesca Farago Details Health Complications That Led to Emergency C-Section of Twins
- 'Wild 'N Out' star Jacky Oh's cause of death revealed
Ranking
- Is Kyle Richards Finally Ready to File for Divorce From Mauricio Umansky? She Says...
- 'Age is just a number:' 104-year-old jumps from plane to break record for oldest skydiver
- 'Jeopardy!' star Amy Schneider reveals 'complicated, weird and interesting' life in memoir
- Woman gets pinned under driverless car after being hit by other vehicle
- Jennifer Garner Details Navigating Grief 7 Months After Death of Her Dad William Garner
- Charlotte Sena update: What we know about the 9-year-old missing in New York
- Lucky Charms returns limited supply of 'Loki' themed boxes for $7.96 available on Walmart.com
- Parents will stand trial in 2021 Michigan school shooting that killed 4 students
Recommendation
-
My Little Pony finally hits the Toy Hall of Fame, alongside Phase 10 and Transformers
-
National Taco Day deals: Where to get free food, discounts on Wednesday
-
Nobel Prize in medicine goes to Drew Weissman of U.S., Hungarian Katalin Karikó for enabling COVID-19 vaccines
-
Banners purportedly from Mexico’s Sinaloa cartel say gang has sworn off sales of fentanyl
-
Kirk Herbstreit berates LSU fans throwing trash vs Alabama: 'Enough is enough, clowns'
-
Judge affirms Arizona can no longer exclude gender-affirming care from state health plans
-
Why college football is king in coaching pay − even at blue blood basketball schools
-
Niger’s junta says jihadis kill 29 soldiers as attacks ramp up