Hurricane Season: Understand what categories 1 to 5 mean

Every year, there is an active hurricane season in the Northern Hemisphere. The United States was hit by a Category 5 hurricane this year, Helene, which left more than 200 people dead.

Additionally, Hurricane Milton gained strength and also became a Category 5 storm, generating several warnings in the USA.

The scale used to measure the intensity of hurricanes is known as Saffir-Simpson. They are divided into five categories according to wind speed and storm surge, which is an abnormal rise in sea level following a storm.

The measurement also estimates the damage that could occur when the hurricane makes landfall.

Category 1: 119 to 152 km/h

Winds reach speeds between 119 and 152.8 kilometers per hour and waves can rise up to 1.5 meters above normal.

A hurricane in this category typically causes damage mainly to “unanchored” homes, and may knock down some trees.

Additionally, there may be flooding on coastal roads and minor damage to docks.

Category 2: 152 to 177 km/h

Winds reach speeds between 154 and 177 kilometers per hour and waves up to 2.4 meters high. It causes damage to the roofs, doors and windows of buildings.

Additionally, trees, bushes, signs and docks are often uprooted.

Hurricane Catarina, which hit Brazil in 2004, was category 2. Three people died and at least 75 were injured.

Category 3: 178 to 208 km/h

In a hurricane of this type, winds reach speeds of up to 208 kilometers per hour and waves of up to 3.6 meters are generated.

It can cause structural damage to small homes and warehouses, destroy plant foliage and uproot large trees.

Sandy, the deadliest storm of 2012, falls into this category. The hurricane killed more than 200 people.

Category 4: 209 to 251 km/h

Winds in this category reach speeds between 209 and 251 kilometers per hour and waves exceed 5 meters in height.

They cause serious damage to coastal homes and the roofs of other homes.

Hurricane Earl, which caused nearly $25 million in damage in 2016, was a Category 4 storm.

Category 5: 252 km/h or more

They are the deadliest type of hurricane and leave devastation in their wake. Winds exceed 250 kilometers per hour and waves reach 6 meters or more.

The roofs of most houses collapse or are blown away by winds and smaller houses can lift. Windows and doors suffer serious damage.

Hurricane Beryl, which hit the region this year, was a Category 5 hurricane.

This content was originally published in Hurricane Season: Understand what categories 1 to 5 mean on the CNN Brasil website.

Source: CNN Brasil

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