This week, all eyes have been on Hurricane Irma, moving through the Caribbean with winds over 180 mph. At the present time, Irma is a Category 5 (CAT-5) hurricane, the highest hurricane level possible. In order for a hurricane to become a CAT-5, it must have sustained winds of 157 mph or greater. With Irma likely impacting Florida and parts of the southeastern U.S. within the next week, let's take a historical look at Atlantic CAT-5 hurricanes.
Since 1924, 35 storms have reached CAT-5 strength. Most of these CAT-5 hurricanes occurred in August and September. In fact, 27 of the 35 storms, or 77 percent, occurred during these two months!
However, only 3 of these 35 hurricanes (9 percent) have made landfall in the United States as a CAT-5 hurricane. The first was the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935 that struck the upper Florida Keys with winds estimated at 165-185 mph and killed over 400 people. It is the strongest hurricane, on record, to strike the United States with a minimum pressure of 892 millibars.
In August 1969, Hurricane Camille, struck the Mississippi coast with winds estimated at 175-190 mph and caused a tremendous amount of damage. Camille is the 2nd strongest U.S. hurricane with a minimum pressure of 900 millibars. It killed 259 people and caused over 1.4 billion dollars in damage.
The last CAT-5 hurricane to make landfall in the U.S. was Hurricane Andrew in August of 1992. It is the third strongest hurricane to hit the United States. It moved across south Florida with winds around 170 mph at landfall and a pressure of 922 millibars. It killed 65 people and caused over 26 billion dollars in damage.
So, it has been 25 years since a CAT-5 hurricane made landfall in the United States. Could Irma be next in line? At this time, Irma is expected to weaken to a strong CAT-4 hurricane by landfall this weekend.
Taft Price
