GEOLOGY

Detailed explanation-1: -The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating based only on a hurricane’s maximum sustained wind speed. This scale does not take into account other potentially deadly hazards such as storm surge, rainfall flooding, and tornadoes. The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale estimates potential property damage.

Detailed explanation-2: -To be classified as a hurricane, a tropical cyclone must have one-minute-average maximum sustained winds at 10 m above the surface of at least 74 mph (64 kn, 119 km/h; Category 1). The highest classification in the scale, Category 5, consists of storms with sustained winds of at least 157 mph (137 kn, 252 km/h).

Detailed explanation-3: -They are among the strongest tropical cyclones that can form on Earth, having 1-minute sustained wind speeds of at least 137 knots (254 km/h; 158 mph; 70 m/s). The United States National Hurricane Center currently estimates that a total of 38 tropical cyclones between 1851 and 2023 have peaked as Category 5 hurricanes.

Detailed explanation-4: -Category 1: Dangerous winds 74 to 95 mph, which may cause some damage to roofs and siding and topple trees and power lines. Power outages could last a few to several days.

Detailed explanation-5: -A Category 4 with 130 to 156 mph winds and a Category 5 hurricane with winds of 157 mph or greater will cause catastrophic damage, taking out trees, power lines and doing major damage to any building in its path.