Types Of Hurricanes
There are 5 categories of wind strength according to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Scale.
Category 1:
Category 1 hurricanes strength have winds speeds of 74 mph to 95 mph. Category 1 hurricanes can cause damage to mobile homes and some street signs. People can loose outdoor objects (like lawn furniture) Trees can also be severely damaged by hurricane winds, with large branches that can break from the wind speed and some trees can be completely uprooted. Power outages may also result.
Category 2:
Category 2 hurricanes have wind speeds up to 96 mph to 110 mph. The winds are strong enough to break power poles, which can create blackouts. Category 2 hurricane winds can also cause damage to residential roofs, windows, and doors. Even windows in big buildings like skyscrapers can be damaged and broken.
Category 3:
Any hurricane of Category 3 strength or higher is considered a “major” hurricane. A Category 3 hurricane has winds of 111 to 130 mph. They can cause the destruction of some buildings, particularly unanchored or older mobile homes. Other small buildings like sheds and detached garages can also be damaged and destroyed by Category 3 winds. Blackouts can also cover large areas.
Category 4:
Category 4 hurricanes are very strong, with winds of 131 to 155 mph. Buildings, including houses, mobile homes, and stores can suffer extreme damage and even destruction. Signs can also be completely destroyed. Trees can snap and uproot. Blackouts will be long and widespread.
Category 5:
A Category 5 hurricane packs winds of more than 155 mph. Category 5 hurricanes cause absolute devastation. Trees can blow over, signs get destroyed, power lines knock over. Some towns hit by Category 5 hurricanes take years to recover, as was the case with Homestead, Florida, which suffered catastrophic devastation after Hurricane Andrew hit in 1992.
Category 1:
Category 1 hurricanes strength have winds speeds of 74 mph to 95 mph. Category 1 hurricanes can cause damage to mobile homes and some street signs. People can loose outdoor objects (like lawn furniture) Trees can also be severely damaged by hurricane winds, with large branches that can break from the wind speed and some trees can be completely uprooted. Power outages may also result.
Category 2:
Category 2 hurricanes have wind speeds up to 96 mph to 110 mph. The winds are strong enough to break power poles, which can create blackouts. Category 2 hurricane winds can also cause damage to residential roofs, windows, and doors. Even windows in big buildings like skyscrapers can be damaged and broken.
Category 3:
Any hurricane of Category 3 strength or higher is considered a “major” hurricane. A Category 3 hurricane has winds of 111 to 130 mph. They can cause the destruction of some buildings, particularly unanchored or older mobile homes. Other small buildings like sheds and detached garages can also be damaged and destroyed by Category 3 winds. Blackouts can also cover large areas.
Category 4:
Category 4 hurricanes are very strong, with winds of 131 to 155 mph. Buildings, including houses, mobile homes, and stores can suffer extreme damage and even destruction. Signs can also be completely destroyed. Trees can snap and uproot. Blackouts will be long and widespread.
Category 5:
A Category 5 hurricane packs winds of more than 155 mph. Category 5 hurricanes cause absolute devastation. Trees can blow over, signs get destroyed, power lines knock over. Some towns hit by Category 5 hurricanes take years to recover, as was the case with Homestead, Florida, which suffered catastrophic devastation after Hurricane Andrew hit in 1992.