Poorly attached roof shingles or tiles can blow off.

Coastal flooding and pier damage are often associated with Category 1 storms.
Power outages are typically widespread to extensive, sometimes lasting several days. Even though it is the least intense type of
hurricane, they can still produce widespread damage and can be life-threatening storms. [11]

Hurricanes that peaked at Category 1 intensity and made landfall at that intensity
include: Juan (1985), Ismael (1995), Danny (1997), Stan (2005), Humberto (2007), Isaac (2012), Manuel (2013), Earl (2016), Newto
n (2016), Nate (2017), Barry (2019), Lorena (2019), Hanna (2020), Isaias (2020), Gamma (2020), Nicholas (2021), Pamela (2021),
Julia (2022), Lisa (2022), Nicole (2022), Debby (2024), and Oscar (2024).

Category 2
[edit]
See also: List of Category 2 Atlantic hurricanes and List of Category 2 Pacific hurricanes

Category 2

Sustained win
Most recent landfall
ds

43–49 m/s
83–95 kn
154–177 km/h
96–110 mph

Francine in 2024 at landfall

near Morgan City, Louisiana

Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage

Storms of Category 2 intensity often damage roofing material, sometimes exposing the roof, and inflict damage upon poorly
constructed doors and windows. Poorly constructed signs and piers can receive considerable damage and many trees are uprooted
or snapped. Mobile homes, whether anchored or not, are typically damaged and sometimes destroyed, and many manufactured
homes suffer structural damage. Small craft in unprotected anchorages may break their moorings. Extensive to near-total power
outages and scattered loss of potable water are likely, possibly lasting many days. [11]

Hurricanes that peaked at Category 2 intensity and made landfall at that intensity
include: Alice (1954), Ella (1958), Ginny (1963), Fifi (1974), Diana (1990), Gert (1993), Rosa (1994), Erin (1995), Alma (1996), Mart
y (2003), Juan (2003), Alex (2010), Richard (2010), Tomas (2010), Carlotta (2012), Arthur (2014), Sally (2020), Olaf (2021), Rick (2
021), Agatha (2022), and Francine (2024).

Category 3
[edit]
See also: List of Category 3 Atlantic hurricanes and List of Category 3 Pacific hurricanes
 Category 3

Sustained win
Most recent landfall
ds

50–58 m/s
96–112 kn
178–208 km/h
111–129 mph

Rafael in 2024 just prior to its

landfall in Cuba

Devastating damage will occur

Tropical cyclones of Category 3 and higher are described as major hurricanes in the Atlantic, Eastern Pacific, and Central
Pacific basins. These storms can cause some structural damage to small residences and utility buildings, particularly those of wood
frame or manufactured materials with minor curtain wall failures. Buildings that lack a solid foundation, such as mobile homes, are
usually destroyed, and gable-end roofs are peeled off.[11]

Manufactured homes usually sustain severe and irreparable damage. Flooding near the coast destroys smaller structures, while
larger structures are struck by floating debris. A large number of trees are uprooted or snapped, isolating many areas. Terrain may
be flooded well inland. Near-total to total power loss is likely for up to several weeks. Home water access will likely be lost or
contaminated.[11]

Hurricanes that peaked at Category 3 intensity and made landfall at that intensity
include: Easy (1950), Carol (1954), Hilda (1955), Audrey (1957), Olivia (1967), Ella (1970), Caroline (1975), Eloise (1975), Olivia (19
75), Alicia (1983), Elena (1985), Roxanne (1995), Fran (1996), Isidore (2002), Jeanne (2004), Lane (2006), Karl (2010), Otto (2016),
Zeta (2020), Grace (2021), John (2024), and Rafael (2024).

Category 4
[edit]
See also: List of Category 4 Atlantic hurricanes and List of Category 4 Pacific hurricanes

Category 4

Sustained win
Most recent landfall
ds
 58–70 m/s
113–136 kn
209–251 km/h
130–156 mph

Helene in 2024 just prior to

its Florida Big Bend landfall

Catastrophic damage will occur

Category 4 hurricanes tend to produce more extensive curtainwall failures, with some complete structural failure on small
residences. Heavy, irreparable damage and near-complete destruction of gas station canopies and other wide span overhang type
structures are common. Mobile and manufactured homes are often flattened. Most trees, except for the hardiest, are uprooted or
snapped, isolating many areas. These storms cause extensive beach erosion. Terrain may be flooded far inland. Total and long-
lived electrical and water losses are to be expected, possibly for many weeks.[11]

The 1900 Galveston hurricane, the deadliest natural disaster to hit the United States, peaked at an intensity that corresponds to a
modern-day Category 4 storm. Other examples of storms that peaked at Category 4 intensity and made landfall at that intensity
include: Hazel (1954), Gracie (1959), Donna (1960), Carla (1961), Flora (1963), Betsy (1965), Celia (1970), Carmen (1974), Madeli
ne (1976), Frederic (1979), Joan (1988), Iniki (1992), Charley (2004), Dennis (2005), Ike (2008), Harvey (2017), Laura (2020), Eta (
2020), Iota (2020), Ida (2021), Lidia (2023), and Helene (2024).

Category 5
[edit]
See also: List of Category 5 Atlantic hurricanes and List of Category 5 Pacific hurricanes

Category 5

Sustained w
Most recent landfall
inds

≥ 70 m/s
≥ 137 kn
≥ 252 km/h
≥ 157 mph
 Otis in 2023 nearing its landfall
in Acapulco, Mexico

Catastrophic damage will occur

Category 5 is the highest category of the Saffir–Simpson scale. These storms cause complete roof failure on many residences and
industrial buildings, and some complete building failures with small utility buildings blown over or away. The collapse of many wide-
span roofs and walls, especially those with no interior supports, is common. Very heavy and irreparable damage to many wood-
frame structures and total destruction to mobile/manufactured homes is prevalent. [11]

Only a few types of structures are capable of surviving intact, and only if located at least 3 to 5 miles (5 to 8 km) inland. They include
office, condominium and apartment buildings and hotels that are of solid concrete or steel frame construction, multi-story concrete
parking garages, and residences that are made of either reinforced brick or concrete/cement block and have hipped roofs with
slopes of no less than 35 degrees from horizontal and no overhangs of any kind, and if the windows are either made of hurricane-
resistant safety glass or covered with shutters. Unless most of these requirements are met, the catastrophic destruction of a
structure may occur.[11]

The storm's flooding causes major damage to the lower floors of all structures near the shoreline. Many coastal structures can be
completely flattened or washed away by the storm surge. Virtually all trees are uprooted or snapped and some may be debarked,
isolating most affected communities. Massive evacuation of residential areas may be required if the hurricane threatens populated
areas. Total and extremely long-lived power outages and water losses are to be expected, possibly for up to several months. [11]

Historical examples of storms that made landfall at Category 5 status

include: "Cuba" (1924), "Okeechobee" (1928), "Bahamas" (1932), "Cuba–Brownsville" (1933), "Labor
Day" (1935), Janet (1955), Inez (1966), Camille (1969), Edith (1971), Anita (1977), David (1979), Gilbert (1988), Andrew (1992), De
an (2007), Felix (2