Wednesday, September 6, 2017

Hurricanes and what we're dealing with

According to the Weather Guide:

Category 3 Hurricanes
Any hurricane of Category 3 strength or higher is considered a “major” hurricane. A Category 3 hurricane has winds of 111 to 130 mph. Along with the type of damage noted above also comes the destruction of some buildings, particularly unanchored or older mobile homes. Other small buildings like sheds and detached garages can also be damaged and destroyed by Category 3 winds. Blackouts may cover large areas.

Category 4 Hurricanes
Category 4 hurricanes are very strong, with winds of 131 to 155 mph. Many types of buildings, including houses, mobile homes, and stores can suffer extreme damage and even destruction. Signs are also destroyed. Trees are snapped and uprooted. Blackouts will be long and widespread.

Category 5 Hurricanes
A Category 5 hurricane packs winds of more than 155 mph. Category 5 hurricanes cause absolute devastation. Most buildings in the path of the eye of a landfalling Category 5 hurricane are damaged or destroyed. Trees are blown over. Signs are destroyed. Power lines are knocked over. Some towns hit by Category 5 hurricanes take years to recover, as was the case with Homestead, Florida, which suffered catastrophic devastation after Hurricane Andrew hit in 1992.

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