Is your area under a warning for a Category 1 hurricane? Are you worried about preparation? Hurricanes can be terrifying, which begs the question, should you be evacuating for a Category 1 hurricane?
No, evacuation is unnecessary when a Category 1 hurricane hits an area. This category of the storm brings minimal damage, power outages, and a slight chance of flooding. There is insignificant damage to houses, but mobile homes are at risk of damage. Evacuation plans are still advised in case the hurricane worsens and a need for evacuation presents itself.
This article discusses the categories of hurricanes and provides insight into how to deal with the situation.
What Is A Category 1 Hurricane?
Category 1 hurricanes are the least intense hurricanes on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale. They typically have sustained winds of 74 to 95 mph (119 to 153 km/h) and a central pressure of 980 to 982 bar (29.13 to 29.26 inHg).
Category 1 hurricanes can cause minimal damage but can still generate power outages and minor structural damage.
What Are Hurricane Categories?
Hurricanes vary in strength, speed, and extent. Hurricane categories are determined based on the rate of the storm and the damage it causes. Five main categories are set in place. Let us see how the speed varies across these categories.
Category 1 – The wind speed of a Category 1 hurricane is 74-95 mph or 119-153 km/h.
Category 2 – A category two hurricane’s wind speed of a Category 2 hurricane is 96-110 mph or 154-177 km/hr.
Category 3 – The maximum sustained wind speed of a Category 3 hurricane is between 111 and 129 mph or 178 to 209 km/h.
Category 4 – The average wind speed of a Category 4 hurricane is between 130-156 mph or 209-251 km/h.
Category 5 – The lowest sustained wind speed of a Category 5 hurricane is 157 mph or 250 km/h. However, a category five hurricane can have a higher rate; the limit is not set.
How Much Damage Can Category 1 Hurricanes Cause?
Category 1 hurricanes can cause some damage to trees, power lines, and unsecured buildings. Wind speeds are usually between 74-95 mph with gusts up to 115 mph, so they can cause damage to roofs and windows and knock down power lines and trees.
Should I Evacuate In A Category 1 Hurricane?
A Category 1 hurricane is mild and does not cause much damage. Most government sources recommend only evacuating your house once it can be subject to extreme flooding and high winds that can cause structural damage to the home.
Evacuation is done to ensure the safety of people in the area, as the storm can bring powerful winds, flooding, and flying debris that can cause injury or death. However, a Category 1 hurricane does not bring along any of these dangers.
Slight damage is expected to houses. For people who live in mobile houses, it is recommended that they evacuate their houses as mobile homes are more susceptible to damage. The structure is not strong enough to sustain a hurricane, even a mild one.
It is recommended to stay in touch with the news and have an evacuation plan in place regardless of your type of residence. If the hurricane escalates and gets stronger, immediate evacuation should be done.
How Much Damage Do Other Hurricane Categories Cause?
Let us look at categories of hurricanes succeeding Category 1 and the damage they may cause.
Damage From Category 2 Hurricanes
Category 2 hurricanes can cause extensive damage to roofs, windows, and doors. They can also cause widespread power outages and flooding of coastal areas.
Winds associated with Category 2 hurricanes can range from 96 to 110 miles per hour and cause property damage, downed trees, and power outages.
Damage From Category 3 Hurricanes
Category 3 hurricanes can cause extensive damage. Winds can range from 111 to 129 mph and can cause extensive damage to buildings, trees, and power lines.
Additionally, flooding from the storm surge and heavy rains can cause extensive damage to homes and other structures and disrupt transportation and communication systems.
Damage From Category 4 Hurricanes
Category 4 hurricanes can cause catastrophic damage. Wind speeds can exceed 155 mph, which can demolish well-built structures, uproot trees, and cause devastating flooding. The storm surge can be up to 18 feet high, causing severe coastal flooding.
In addition, these storms can produce tornadoes and dump up to 20 inches of rain, resulting in major flooding.
Damage From Category 5 Hurricanes
Category 5 hurricanes can cause catastrophic damage, including total roof failure on many structures, destruction of mobile homes, and major damage to lower floors of facilities due to flooding and high winds.
Additionally, these storms can cause severe flooding, up to 20 feet of storm surge or more, and extreme winds up to 175 mph or higher.
Preventative Measures To Take For Safety In A Category 1 Hurricane
Stay cautious when faced with a hurricane warning, and follow these steps.
- Know your evacuation plan – Listen to local officials for evacuation orders and know your evacuation routes if the condition worsens.
- Secure your property – Secure outdoor items and prepare to board windows and doors.
- Have an emergency kit – Include flashlights, batteries, tools, first aid supplies, and non-perishable food items.
- Have a communication plan – Make sure your family can stay in touch before, during, and after the storm.
- Monitor the storm – Stay up-to-date on its progress and any changes to its trajectory.
- Stay indoors – Don’t venture outside until the storm has passed and it’s safe to do so. Stay away from windows and doors.
- Be prepared for power outages – Have a backup plan if the power goes out. Have extra cash, food, and water on hand.
- Take care of yourself – Make sure to rest and stay hydrated during the storm.
Final Conclusion
Natural disasters can be stressful and cause large-scale panics. We advise you to stay close to the news and take as many preventative measures as possible. We are here to help you with any questions you may have during the process. Stay safe!