Nature of Hurricane Categories

hurricane

Hurricane Impact Explained: Beyond the Category Scale

When it comes to hurricanes, many people often equate higher categories with greater danger. However, hurricanes can wreak havoc even when they are classified as lower categories. For instance, Hurricane Florence in 2018 was downgraded from a Category 4 to a Category 1 as it approached North Carolina, yet it still unleashed devastating rainfall and flooding, resulting in significant loss of life and property damage. This phenomenon emphasizes that the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which primarily considers wind speed, may