What’s the difference between Category 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5?

Learn what hurricane categories mean and how to prepare for a hurricane.

But what exactly is the difference between atropical stormand a Category 3 or a Category 5 storm?

Hurricane Map

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Read on for details on how strong these storms are and how to prepare.

The scale lays out the speed of the wind and the punch in ofdamage and impactit can have.

According to the experts at the National Hurricane Center, the system divides storms into five categories.

In general, damage rises by about a factor of four for every category increase.

Power outages could last a few to several days.

Most trees and power poles will be downed.

Can make areas uninhabitable for weeks or months.

Category 5:Catastrophic winds 157 mph or higher that will level many homes.

High winds, of course, are just a part of the damage that comes with a hurricane.

This category indicates a major hurricane with winds ranging from 111 to 129 mph.

National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center.Tropical Cyclone Climatology.

National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center.The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

National Hurricane Center and Central Pacific Hurricane Center.Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.