What does each hurricane category mean in Georgia? What to know
Summer is here and that means beach trips, cookouts and ever-changing weather. While hot temperatures prevail, strong thunderstorms and hurricanes are also at the top of the list for summertime.
Here’s what to know about hurricanes in Georgia, what each category means and which category has been the highest to ever hit Georgia.
When is hurricane season?
Hurricane season is from June through November and according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the 2025 hurricane season has “a 30% chance of a near-normal season, a 60% chance of an above-normal season, and a 10% chance of a below-normal season.”
The Administration has also predicted that there will be between 13 and 19 storms, with around six to 10 of those becoming hurricanes this season. Within that, the NOAA forecasted about three to five “major hurricanes” in 2025, which could reach up to category five.
So, how serious is each category and what does each one mean? Let’s take a look:
What determines each hurricane category?
Hurricane categories are actually based on wind speed from the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
“This scale estimates potential property damage. Hurricanes reaching Category 3 and higher are considered major hurricanes because of their potential for significant loss of life and damage,” as stated on the National Weather Service’s (NWS) website.
Here’s a more in-depth look at each category:
Category 1: Winds 74-95 mph. This category will produce some damage to homes and may come with power outages.
Category 2: Winds 96-110 mph with extensive damage to roofs and siding of homes. Power outages are expected.
Category 3: Winds 111-129 mph with devastating damage to homes. Electricity and water is expected to be out for several days to weeks.
Category 4: Winds 130-156 mph with catastrophic damage. Power outages could last weeks to months.
Category 5: Winds 157 mph or higher with catastrophic damage to large areas. Power outages could last months and areas may be uninhabitable for weeks to months.
What’s the highest hurricane category to hit Georgia?
The worst hurricane to hit Georgia was in 1898 in Cumberland Island. According to the National Hurricane Center, it made landfall as a Category 4 storm and claimed 179 lives.
Another powerful hurricane to make landfall in Georgia was Hurricane Helene in 2024, which was a Category 2 storm.
Do you have more questions? Let me know in the comments or email me at cmadden@mcclatchy.com
