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), tion of
a structure may occur.[11] oyed approximately 50 structures in the Florida Panhandle, while thousands of others
in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties suffered damage. There were 23 tornadoes reported across the Southeastern United States
while Sally was a tropical cyclone.[37]

Hurricane Teddy
[edit]
Main article: Hurricane Teddy

Category 4 hurricane (SSHWS)

Duration September 12 – September 23

Peak intensity 140 mph (220 km/h) (1-min);

945 mbar (hPa)

A tropical wave emerged from the west coast of Africa on September 10, leading to the formation of a tropical depression two days
later. On September 14 it intensified into Tropical Storm Teddy, which continued to strengthen while moving across the Atlantic
Ocean. Teddy became a hurricane on September 16, and two days later it reached its peak intensity with maximum sustained winds
of 140 mph (230 km/h) and a minimum barometric pressure of 945 mbar (27.9 inHg). Teddy weakened due to an eyewall
replacement cycle and increased wind shear. The cyclone passed about 230 mi (370 km) east of Bermuda on September 21 as it
turned north-northeastward. Teddy interacted with an approaching trough, causing the hurricane to re-intensify and become more
asymmetric. The hurricane became an extratropical cyclone on September 23, and soon after moved ashore Atlantic
Canada near Ecum Secum, Nova Scotia, with sustained winds of 65 mph (105 km/h). The system was eventually absorbed by a
larger non-tropical low early on September 24 near eastern Labrador.[38]

Hurricane Teddy generated large ocean swells which spread along much of the U.S. Atlantic coast and from the northern Caribbean
to Bermuda, killing three people. Abnormally high tides also caused coastal flooding in Charleston, South Carolina, and the Outer
Banks of North Carolina. About 220 households lost power in Bermuda. The extratropical remnants of Teddy generated wind gusts
up to 90 mph (145 km/h) in Nova Scotia. Approximately 18,000 customers throughout the Atlantic Canada region lost electricity.
There were also isolated reports of minor flooding.[38] Damage from Teddy in all areas impacted totaled roughly $35 million.[35]

Tropical Storm Vicky

[edit]
 Tropical storm (SSHWS)

Duration September 14 – September 17

Peak intensity 50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min);

1001 mbar (hPa)

Early on September 11, a tropical wave exited western Africa. The next day, the system moved across the Cabo Verde Islands,
producing flooding that killed one person in Praia.[39] The city recorded 5 in (88 mm) of precipitation over 24 hours. Flooding blocked
several roads and damaged automobiles, bridges, buildings, and farmland.[103] Continuing to the northwest, the system developed
into Tropical Depression Twenty-One on September 14, which quickly strengthened into Tropical Storm Vicky. Despite strong wind
shear partially caused by Hurricane Teddy's outflow, Vicky intensified to reach peak winds of 50 mph (80 km/h) and a pressure of
1,001 mbar (29.6 inHg) on September 15. Continued wind shear caused Vicky to weaken, and the storm dissipated on
September 17.[39]

Tropical Storm Wilfred

[edit]

Tropical storm (SSHWS)

 Duration September 17 – September 21

Peak intensity 40 mph (65 km/h) (1-min);

1006 mbar (hPa)

A tropical wave exited western Africa on September 13. After a well-defined circulation formed within an area of deep convection,
the system developed into Tropical Storm Wilfred late on September 17 while situated about 345 mi (555 km) southwest of Cabo
Verde. It only reached peak winds of 40 mph (65 km/h) and a minimum pressure of 1,006 mbar (29.7 inHg), before weakening due
to dry air and wind shear. Wilfred weakened to a tropical depression on September 20, and degenerated into an open trough the
next day about 920 mi (1,480 km) east of the northern Leeward Islands.[104]

Subtropical Storm Alpha

[edit]
Main article: Subtropical Storm Alpha (2020)

Subtropical storm (SSHWS)

Duration September 17 – September 19

Peak intensity 50 mph (85 km/h) (1-min);

996 mbar (hPa)

A large extratropical low developed over the northeast Atlantic Ocean on September 14, which moved south-southeastward. The
wind field contracted as thunderstorms formed over the circulation. On September 17, the system developed

(1932), "Cuba–Brownsville" (1933), "Labor Day" (1935), J

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