'Strongest storm on the planet': Hurricane Dorian's destructive power
Hurricane Dorian has been described as the "strongest storm on the planet" based on modern storm records, with sustained wind speeds of 185 mph, possibly bringing a deadly "triple punch" — wind, rain and storm surge.
With gusts reaching more than 200 mph, and moving west at about 7 mph, Dorian hit land in the Bahamas, and is en route to the eastern coast of Florda.
WHAT IS A CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE?
A Category 5 Atlantic hurricane is one that is considered by the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) to have had sustained wind speeds greater than 136 knots (157 mph; 252 km/h or 70 m/s).
This category is a measure of a hurricane's power based of the Saffir–simpson hurricane wind scale in the Atlantic Ocean north of the equator, the Caribbean Sea, and the Gulf of Mexico.
Hurricane Dorian falls under "super storm" category. It is now described as "strongest storm on the planet" based on modern storm records — with sustained wind speeds of 180 mph.
Hurricanes of such intensity occur once every three years in this region on average, and mostly in September.
It can bring substantial, destructive, life-threatening storm surge associated with the storm.
Only in six seasons — 1932, 1933, 1961, 2005, 2007, and 2017 — have more than one Category 5 hurricane formed. Only in 2005 have more than two Category 5 hurricanes formed, and only in 2007 and 2017 did more than one make landfall at Category 5 strength.
WHY IS THIS HURRICANE CALLED A "TRIPLE PUNCH"?
Triple punch refers to wind, rain and storm surge. If the storm maintains its current ferocity and barrels into the Florida coast, experts predict the Category 5 storm could inflict severe damage to real estate, specially in Miami area.
As of late Sunday, the NHC said Florida may now avoid a direct hit. However, life-threatening storm surge and dangerous hurricane-force winds are still possible along portions of Florida's east coast through mid-week.
WHAT IS A STORM SURGE?
A storm surge is a lifethreatening inundation from rising water moving inland from the coastline, fanned by strong winds.
WHERE IS THE STORM SURGE WATCH UP?
Currently, part of Florida's Atlantic coast are now under a storm surge watch, according to the NHC. The watch runs from North of Deerfield Beach to the Volusia/brevard County Line, the center said.
A watch means there is a possibility in the said locations over the next 48 hours.
Moreover, strong winds and dangerous storm surge watch are also up along the coasts of Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
HOW IS 'SUSTAINED WIND SPEED' DEFINED — AND HOW ARE THEY MEASURED?
The anemometer is a a device used for measuring wind speed. It was invented in 1846.
The NHC considers sustained wind speeds to be those that occur over a one-minute period at 10 metres (32.8 ft) above ground.
These wind speeds are estimated by using a blend of data from a variety of sources, which include observations from nearby ships, reconnaissance aircraft, or automatic weather stations and pictures from various satellites.
Thirty-five Category 5 hurricanes have been recorded in the Atlantic basin since 1851, when records began. Since 1851, the following Category 5 hurricanes were formed (by month):
July: 1 - August: 8 - September: 19 - October: 6 - November: 1
There have been no officially recorded June or off-season Category 5 hurricanes.
The July and August Category 5 hurricanes reached their high intensities in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean Sea.
September sees the most Category 5 hurricanes. This coincides with the climatological peak of the Atlantic hurricane season, which occurs in early September.
September Category 5s reached their strengths in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean Sea, and open Atlantic.
Based on previous records, these places are where September tropical cyclones are likely to form. Many of these hurricanes are either Cape Verdetype storms, which develop their strength by having a great deal of open water; or so-called Bahama busters, which intensify over the warm Loop Current in the Gulf of Mexico.