Florida, United States

Set to make landfall in the US state of Florida, Hurricane Milton is expected to be one of the most catastrophic storms in the United States. This deadly storm comes just a week after Hurricane Helene wreaked havoc in the state, resulting in over 230 deaths.

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Hurricane Milton formed in the Gulf of Mexico and is classed as a Category 5 storm, as it gained intensity within a short span of hours. It is predicted that the storm will result in a life-threatening situation in the area in its path. Millions were ordered to evacuate the region and rushing to do so.

How are hurricanes categorised?

Hurricanes are tropical storms that form over tropical or subtropical waters. They are low-pressure systems with thunderstorm activity, which gain their intensity from warm ocean waters. They result in strong surface winds in circular motion and can bring extreme weather conditions to the nearby land.

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Also read | Hurricane Milton to hit Florida: Timing, areas at risk, wind speeds, and what to expect

Hurricanes are classified as per the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which measures a storm’s intensity based on its sustained wind speed. The scale also estimates the damage caused by hurricanes, depending on their category.

According to the National Weather Service (NWS), the hurricanes are categorised as follows:

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Category One Hurricane: These hurricanes have wind speeds of 74-95 mph (119-153 km/hr) and cause some damage. They can result in “power outages that could last a few to several days,” according to the NWS.

Category Two Hurricane: These hurricanes have wind speeds of 96-110 mph (154-177 km/hr) and can cause extensive damage due to dangerous winds. These storms can result in near-total power loss.

Also read | Explained | Hurricane Helene to Milton: Why and how hurricanes get their names—find out here

Category Three Hurricane: The wind speeds for hurricanes under this category are 111-129 mph (km/hr) and can result in devastating damage with many trees uprooted. They would also cause electricity and water outages.

Category Four Hurricane: These hurricanes can have wind speeds as high as 130-156 mph (209-251 km/hr). During these storms, “catastrophic damage will occur” with many homes sustaining severe damage, as per the NWS website. They will result in week or month-long power outages and leave the place uninhabitable for some time.

Category Five Hurricane: The last category classifies storms with winds 157 mph or higher (252 km/hr or higher). “Catastrophic damage will occur” due to these storms with a high percentage of framed homes destroyed, with roofs and walls collapsing, according to the NWS. They will also result in the area being uninhabitable for weeks or months.

(With inputs from agencies)