Trajectory of Hurricane ‘Milton’, live | The cyclone has fallen to Category 4, but officials warn it is still “extremely dangerous”

Explainer What does it mean to reach a 4 or 5 on the hurricane scale?

The intensity of hurricanes is classified within the Saffir–Simpson Wind Scale, which grades them from 1 to 5 based on the speed of their sustained winds. Right now, Milton has dropped from a 5 to a 4 on the scale. According to the US National Weather Service, this is what could happen in each category:

– type 1: winds intermittently 119 and 152 kilometers per hour (74 to 95 miles) which are “very dangerous and cause some damage.” They generally do not damage well-built structures, but may cause damage to the roofs of wooden homes and buildings. Tree branches fall. There may be power outage for several days.

– Category 2: winds intermittently 154 and 177 kilometers per hour (96 to 110 miles) which are “extremely dangerous and cause widespread damage.” There can be considerable damage to the roofs and walls of houses. Many trees with shallow roots may fall and block roads. This can lead to almost complete power loss with power outages lasting several days and even weeks.

-grade 3: winds intermittently 178 and 208 kilometers per hour (111 to 129 mph) causing “catastrophic damage.” They can cause structural damage to homes and small buildings, such as loss of roofs and pillars. Roads have been blocked due to falling trees. Electricity and other services are disrupted for days or weeks after a storm.

-tier 4: winds intermittently 209 and 251 kilometers per hour (130 to 156 miles) causes “catastrophic damage”. Well-built homes may suffer severe damage, including destruction of most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls. Most of the trees are broken or uprooted and electric poles are downed. Power outages last weeks and even months. Much of the area becomes uninhabitable for weeks or months.

– Category 5: over sustained winds 252 kilometers per hour (over 157 miles) caused “catastrophic damage” with complete collapse of roofs and walls of residences and industrial buildings. Complete destruction of wooden habitats often occurs. Trees and power poles fall and power outages last weeks and even months. Much of the area remains uninhabitable for weeks or months.