Understanding Hurricane Categories: What Each Level Means for Damage and Safety

Hurricane Helene, a Category 4 storm with 140 mph sustained winds, made landfall near Perry, Florida, causing widespread power outages and flooding in the Southeast. This is the strongest hurricane on record to hit Florida’s Big Bend region.

But what do these categories mean? Hurricanes are rated on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale from 1 to 5 based on their wind speed. The damage increases exponentially as the wind speed rises, with a Category 3 storm capable of causing up to 60 times more damage than a Category 1 storm.

Each category poses different risks:

– Category 1 (74-95 mph): Enough to blow shingles off roofs and damage gutters and siding.
– Category 2 (96-110 mph): Can cause extensive damage to a home’s roof and siding.
– Category 3 (111-129 mph): Major damage to well-built homes and buildings, with widespread wind damage.
– Category 4 (130-156 mph): Catastrophic damage, with well-built homes heavily damaged and power out for months.
– Category 5 (157 mph or greater): Most powerful storms, destroying most well-built homes and leaving areas uninhabitable for months.

Hurricane Helene serves as a reminder of the destructive power of these natural disasters and the importance of being prepared for the worst.