DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF HURRICANE

DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF HURRICANE
Hurricanes are measured on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which runs from
Category 1 up to Category 5. According to The Weather Channel, the scale was developed in
the 1970s by Miami engineer Herbert Saffir and Robert Simpson, a meteorologist who was
director of the National Hurricane Centre.
The categories and their associated damage levels are:

 (Category 1) Minimal: damage primarily to shrubbery, trees and foliage; some
coastal flooding and possible minor damage to boats.
 (Category 2) Moderate: considerable damage to trees; some roof, window and door
damage; coastal flooding requiring evacuation; damage to boats.
 (Category 3) Extensive: large trees blown down; structural damage to small
buildings; serious flooding near coast; evacuation necessary; coastal structures
damaged or destroyed.
 (Category 4) Extreme: extensive destruction of trees and buildings; large-scale
flooding; major damage to low structures within about 450m of shore; possible
evacuation from low ground within eight to 16km of shore.
 (Category 5) Catastrophic: trees down; extensive building damage; coastal area
below 3m flooded up to 10km inland; major damages to coastal structures; beaches
eroded; massive evacuation near coast. Damage primarily to shrubbery, trees and
foliage; some coastal flooding and possible minor damage to boats.
The table below illustrates the wind speed and storm surge heights per hurricane category.
Wind speed
Storm Surge
Category Damage
(ft.)
(km/h) (mph) (knots/kn)
119-153 74-95 64-82 Minimal 4-5

1
154-177 96-110 83-95 Moderate 6-8

2
178-209 111-130 96-113 Extensive 9-12
3
210-249 131-155 114-135 Extreme 13-18

4
>250 >156 >136 Catastrophic >19

5
How are hurricanes monitored?

Hurricanes are monitored using a combination of advanced technologies and observational
tools. Satellites play a key role by providing real-time imagery of storm formation,
movement, and intensity. Infrared and visible sensors on satellites help detect cloud patterns,
temperature, and moisture levels associated with hurricanes. Reconnaissance aircraft, also
called "hurricane hunters," fly directly into storms to collect data on wind speed, pressure,
and temperature, which are critical for understanding the storm's structure and strength.
Weather buoys and ocean sensors measure sea surface temperatures and wave heights, which
influence hurricane development. Radar systems track hurricanes as they approach land,
providing detailed information about rainfall and wind fields. Meteorological models then use
this data to forecast the storm's path, intensity, and potential impact, helping to inform
emergency responses.
Some of the Worst Hurricanes in the History of the Caribbean
Hurricane Gilbert (1988)

Hurricane Gilbert struck Jamaica on September 12, 1988, as a Category 3 storm with
sustained winds of 125 mph (201 km/h), becoming one of the most devastating hurricanes in
the island's history. The storm caused widespread destruction, flattening homes, uprooting
trees, and severely damaging infrastructure, including roads, power lines, and water systems.
Torrential rains and storm surges led to massive flooding and displaced thousands of
residents. The agricultural sector suffered heavily, particularly the banana and sugar
industries, which were vital to Jamaica's economy. Gilbert caused 45 deaths on the island and
inflicted damages estimated at $700 million USD, leaving thousands homeless. After
devastating Jamaica, the hurricane intensified into a Category 5 storm, becoming one of the
strongest hurricanes in the Atlantic Basin at the time, before impacting Mexico and the
United States.
Hurricane Irma (2017)
Hurricane Irma, a catastrophic Category 5 storm, devastated the Caribbean in September
2017. With sustained winds of 185 mph (297 km/h), it was one of the strongest hurricanes
ever recorded in the Atlantic. Irma caused widespread destruction, particularly in the
northeastern Caribbean islands, including Barbuda, Saint Martin, and the Virgin Islands.
Barbuda was left nearly uninhabitable, with 95% of its structures destroyed. The hurricane
displaced thousands, claimed over 130 lives, and caused damages exceeding $77 billion USD
across the region. Irma’s immense size and slow movement compounded its impact, making
it a defining storm of the 21st century.
Hurricane Maria (2017)

Following Irma, Hurricane Maria struck the Caribbean as another Category 5 hurricane in
September 2017. It brought devastating winds of 175 mph (280 km/h) and heavy rainfall,
causing catastrophic flooding and landslides. Puerto Rico was the hardest hit, with much of
the island’s infrastructure destroyed, including its electrical grid, leaving residents without
power for months. The death toll in Puerto Rico alone exceeded 3,000, and the storm caused
an estimated $91.6 billion USD in damages across the Caribbean, making Maria the third-
costliest hurricane in history. Its impact highlighted vulnerabilities in the region’s disaster
preparedness and recovery systems.
The Great Hurricane of 1780

The Great Hurricane of 1780 is considered the deadliest hurricane in the history of the
Atlantic, killing an estimated 22,000–27,000 people across the Caribbean in October 1780.
The storm ravaged Barbados, Saint Lucia, and Martinique, obliterating entire towns and
sinking fleets of ships. Winds were believed to exceed 200 mph (322 km/h), though precise
data does not exist. The hurricane’s ferocity and widespread destruction impacted both the
region’s population and colonial powers, as it disrupted naval battles during the American
Revolutionary War. Its devastation remains unparalleled in Caribbean history.
. Hurricane Dorian (2019)
Hurricane Dorian, a Category 5 hurricane, struck the Bahamas in September 2019, with
sustained winds of 185 mph (297 km/h), tying it with Irma for the strongest Atlantic
hurricane to make landfall. Dorian stalled over the islands of Abaco and Grand Bahama for
nearly two days, bringing catastrophic flooding and destruction. Over 70 people died, and
thousands were displaced, with damages estimated at $3.4 billion USD. Entire communities
were wiped out, and recovery efforts were slow due to the scale of devastation. Dorian’s
prolonged presence and intensity made it one of the most impactful storms in recent history.

DIFFERENT CATEGORIES OF HURRICANE

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The categories and their associated damage levels are:

119-153 74-95 64-82 Minimal 4-5

154-177 96-110 83-95 Moderate 6-8

210-249 131-155 114-135 Extreme 13-18

>250 >156 >136 Catastrophic >19

How are hurricanes monitored?

Some of the Worst Hurricanes in the History of the Caribbean

Hurricane Gilbert (1988)

Hurricane Maria (2017)

The Great Hurricane of 1780

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