TAMPA, Fla. — As Hurricane Helene continues on its path toward the Florida coast, it's expected to intensify into a category 3 storm before it makes landfall somewhere in the Big Bend region.
So, what do the different categories mean? The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is all about wind speed and the damage the winds can cause. Any storm category 3 or higher is considered a major hurricane. Here's a breakdown of each category as defined by the National Hurricane Center.
Category 1 Hurricane
A category 1 hurricane is defined by wind speeds ranging from 74 to 95 mph. NHC said a category 1 storm could cause damage to rooves, shingles, vinyl sidings and gutters, as well as snap large tree branches and uproot shallow trees. Extensive powerline damage is also possible.
Category 2 Hurricane
A category 2 hurricane is defined by wind speeds ranging from 96 to 110 mph. Damage to rooves and siding is expected and the winds could uproot many shallow-rooted trees.
"Near total power loss is expected with outages that could last from several days to weeks," the NHC said.
Category 3 Hurricane
A category 3 hurricane is defined by wind speeds ranging from 111 to 129 mph. The NHC said storms of this strength bring devastating damage. Homes may see major damage, roof decks could be ripped up and many trees could be snapped or uprooted. This could cause major road blockages.
"Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks after the storm passes," the NHC said.
Category 4 Hurricane
A category 4 hurricane is defined by wind speeds ranging from 130 to 156 mph. Homes could see severe damage with rooves and walls partially or totally torn off. Most trees and power poles would not stay upright and residential areas could be isolated. The NHC said power outages could last weeks to months.
"Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months," the NHC said.
Category 5 Hurricane
A category 5 hurricane is defined by wind speeds of 157 or higher. The NHC said storms of this strength are associated with catastrophic damage. A large amount of homes could be destroyed with rooves and walls totally collapsed. Again, the NHC said power outages could last weeks to months and much of the impacted area could be uninhabitable for a similar timeframe.
