Category 5 storms are the strongest hurricanes. Monster cyclones powered by the hot waters of the Atlantic, Caribbean, and Mexico bring catastrophic destruction along their way with sustained winds of over 157 mph. Though any hurricane would be dangerous no matter what category, category 5 storms might leave a strong impact on the record books because of the sheer strength they bear in hand and awful consequences they deliver.
According to reliable records, about 40 hurricanes have reached the top tier; among them is a record-shattering storm whose wind speed and barometric pressure remain unparalleled among storms, causing some to take years to recover from their damage. Let’s discuss some of the notable Category 5 hurricanes, their impacts, and what makes them unforgettable.
Hurricane Allen (1980): The Wind Speed Record Holder
Hurricane Allen, a legendary Category 5 hurricane in history, holds the record for the highest sustained winds ever recorded in the Atlantic basin. Born off of the central Atlantic, Allen became a monster storm as it moved through the Caribbean in August 1980. Without any significant land interference in its path to dissipate it, Allen’s sustained winds reached an astonishing 190 mph as it closed in on the southeastern Gulf of Mexico.
Despite weakening before landfall, Hurricane Allen still made a significant impact when it made landfall as a major hurricane in South Texas. Despite its peak strength, the storm’s excessive winds and widespread flooding caused significant destruction.
The Labour Day Hurricane (1935): U.S. Landfall at Peak Strength
The Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 is considered one of the most potent ever to strike the U.S. With sustained winds of 185 mph, it slammed the Florida Keys, becoming the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the United States and striking the land at full intensity.
The hurricane destroyed entire communities in the Florida Keys and claimed hundreds of lives. NOAA claims that a reassessment of the storm revealed its highest sustained winds at landfall were actually at 185 mph, making it one of the deadliest and most intense to ever make landfall in the United States.
Hurricane Wilma (2005): Pressure Record Holder
While Hurricane Allen still holds the record for the strongest winds, Hurricane Wilma holds another title: lowest barometric pressure in Atlantic hurricane history. Wilma’s central pressure dropped to 882 millibars as it passed over the Caribbean Sea in October 2005. A Hurricane Hunter aircraft measured the low pressure reading by dropping a small instrument known as a dropsonde into the storm to measure pressure, temperature, and wind speed.
With the hurricane’s record low pressure, despite all this, Wilma’s maximum sustained wind peaked at an estimated 185 mph. Finally, it made landfall in Mexico and later in South Florida, leaving a swath of destruction and flooding in its wake.
Hurricane Gilbert (1988): Caribbean Monster
The lowest pressure in the Atlantic prior to Wilma was Hurricane Gilbert’s, with a central pressure of 888 millibars. Gilbert’s development began in September 1988 and strengthened in the Caribbean Sea as it moved within the region. By the time it reached Jamaica, it had already become a Category 5 storm, with gusts at over 185 mph.
Gilbert continued on its path of destruction as it crossed Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, finally making landfall in northern Mexico. The storm’s significant damage led to its permanent removal from the Atlantic hurricane list.
Hurricane Dorian (2019): The Newest Monster
Hurricane Dorian, which slammed into the Bahamas in September 2019 and caused severe destruction in the islands, is the newest addition to the infamous Category 5 hurricane list. It rapidly intensified as it approached the Bahamas and reached a peak sustained wind strength of 185 mph with a central pressure of 910 millibars.
The slow pace of Dorian over the Bahamas caused devastating flooding and wind damage and left thousands of people without homes. The hurricane was historic over the Bahamas, becoming the costliest storm to hit the area as damage estimates rose above $5 billion. Dorian then brushed the eastern seaboard of the U.S. and weakened but continued to cause damage along the coast.
The Impact of Category 5 Hurricanes
Category 5 hurricanes are a tremendous destroyer when they make landfall at or close to their peak. When the effects of extreme wind, storm surges, and constant rain occur together, areas can become uninhabitable for months, sometimes years. Some of the deadliest impacts from storm surges will raise sea levels by 20 feet or more, overwhelming coastal regions.
Despite being the most intense storms according to the Saffir-Simpson scale, most of them do not cause such devastating losses. Category 5 hurricanes that stay over the open ocean or lose strength significantly before making landfall can mitigate their destruction.
Retired Names: Legacy of Destruction
A hurricane whose occurrence causes significant death or destruction will have its name stricken off the WMO’s rotating list of storm names. Therefore, the WMO never renames the worst and most destructive hurricanes to honor the victims who perished and to recall the devastating experiences in affected communities.
These storms have permanently retired names like Allen, Gilbert, Wilma, and Dorian after wreaking havoc on the landscape. Not all powerful hurricanes imply disastrous damage, though. An example of this is the Lorenzo Hurricane of 2019, which achieved Category 5 status due to its speed of 160 mph and a central pressure of 925 millibars, but it mostly stayed over the eastern Atlantic. The WMO continues to include the name Lorenzo in its list of rotating storm names, despite its lack of catastrophic land impacts.
Conclusion
Category 5 hurricanes are the most powerful and violent storms of nature, as they can cause the most destruction in coastal areas. Despite the fact that only a handful of documented cases exist, their impact endures for decades, resulting in fatalities, economic disruption, and irreversible changes to landscapes. Starting from the record-breaking wind speed of Hurricane Allen to the historic destruction of Hurricane Dorian, the cyclones have left their mark in history.
Changes in climate patterns and ocean warming may increase the likelihood of hurricanes becoming more powerful, leading to increased anxiety in coastal areas. However, individuals affected by hurricanes need to prepare, draw lessons from their past experiences, and acknowledge the power these storms possess.
Let’s hope that the next generation of Category 5 storms will continue to stay out in the open sea, far from vulnerable communities.
