MEXICO BEACH, Fla. — Scientists with NOAA's National Hurricane Center have upgraded Hurricane Michael to a Category 5 storm.
NOAA said detailed post-storm analysis data showed the hurricane's estimated intensity at landfall was 160 miles per hour. Scientists said the final wind intensity was 5 miles per hour more than the original estimate of 155 miles per hour.
Hurricane Michael made landfall on Oct. 10, 2018, near Mexico Beach and Tyndall Air Force Base in the Florida Panhandle.
According to the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, the standard used by the National Hurricane Center based on sustained wind speeds, Michael was originally categorized as a strong Category 4 with its previously measured 155 miles per hour sustained winds.
The last Category 5 hurricane to hit the United States was Andrew in 1992.
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