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    <title>Here's what kind of damage storms like Irma and Harvey can do - Business Insider</title>
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            <h1>Hurricane categories tell only part of the story â here's the damage storms like Irma and Harvey can do</h1>

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																		<li class="author-byline ks-author-byline"><a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/author/rebecca-harrington">Rebecca Harrington</a></li>
											                
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	<span data-bi-format="date" rel="1504653420">Sep.  5, 2017,  7:17 PM</span>
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<p><span class="KonaFilter image-container display-table"><span><span data-post-image class="image on-image"><img src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/59aee75779bbfd2d0d8b69c0-1920/hurricane%20irma.png" alt="hurricane irma" data-mce-source="NOAA" data-mce-caption="Hurricane Irma barreling toward the Eastern Caribbean, captured by satellite on Tuesday, Sept. 5, 2017." data-link="https://www.nnvl.noaa.gov/MediaDetail2.php?MediaID=2092&amp;MediaTypeID=1"><span class="caption-source"><span class="caption">Hurricane Irma barreling toward the eastern Caribbean, captured by satellite on Tuesday.</span><span class="source"><span><a href="https://www.nnvl.noaa.gov/MediaDetail2.php?MediaID=2092&amp;MediaTypeID=1">NOAA</a></span></span></span></span><p></p></span></span>The hurricanes <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/category/hurricane-irma-2017">Irma</a> and <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/category/harvey-2017">Harvey</a> are two very different storms.</p>
<p>While Harvey's <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/hurricane-harvey-2017-rainfall-map-2017-8">record rainfall</a> drenched southeastern Texas and western Louisiana, <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/photos-harvey-flooding-houston-texas-before-and-after-hurricane-rain-2017-8">flooding Houston</a> in over 4 feet of water, Irma's winds â if they stay as <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/hurricane-irma-track-path-map-when-where-storm-arrive-category-forecast-2017-9">strong as they were Tuesday evening</a> â could flatten buildings, trees, and power lines on the Caribbean islands it's <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/hurricane-irma-strength-category-forecast-updates-2017-9">threatening to devour</a>.</p>
<p>At its peak, Harvey was a Category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale, but its weakened winds downgraded it to a tropical storm <a href="http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/archive/2017/al09/al092017.public_a.025.shtml?">the day after</a> it made landfall. Irma is a Category 5 monster that's already <a href="http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/text/refresh/MIATCDAT1+shtml/312032.shtml">one of the strongest</a> Atlantic hurricanes ever recorded â and it's still <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/hurricane-irma-katrina-2017-9">strengthening</a>.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.southernclimate.org/pages/person/hal-needham">Hal Needham</a>, a hurricane scientist at Louisiana State University, <a href="http://wxshift.com/news/blog/tropical-depression-harvey-is-threatening-texas-with-major-flooding">argued on the weather site WXshift</a> that a storm's category doesn't fully convey how much damage it could cause.</p>
<p>"Hurricanes and tropical storms throw three hazards at us: wind, rainfall, and storm surge," he wrote. "Think of the impacts separately. Storms with weaker winds are more likely to stall and dump heavier rainfall. This shocks people, as it would seem intuitive that a Category 5 hurricane would tend to dump more rain than a Category 1 hurricane. But the opposite is true."</p>
<p>Here's a closer look at the type of damage storms like Irma and Harvey can cause:</p>
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                                                    <h3 class="slide-title">TheÂ Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale, which does not include lower-level tropical storms or tropical depressions,Â is based solely on maximum sustained wind.</h3>
                        
                        <div class="KonaFilter image-container slide-image-large on-image"><div><img data-src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/59a09a4f79bbfd1d008b5059-1200/thesaffir-simpson-hurricane-scale-which-does-not-include-lower-level-tropical-storms-or-tropical-depressionsis-based-solely-on-maximum-sustained-wind.jpg" src="/assets/images/logos/BI-placeholder.svg" alt="TheÂ Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale, which does not include lower-level tropical storms or tropical depressions,Â is based solely on maximum sustained wind." border="0" class="slide-image-large on-image" /></div><span class="source-only"><span><span class="source"><span>Ana Pelisson/Business Insider</span></span></span></span></div>

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                                                    <h3 class="slide-title">Once a tropical storm's winds exceed 39 mph, the storm gets a name. Most storms that make landfall in the US are tropical storms, not "major" hurricanes of Category 3 and above.</h3>
                        
                        <div class="KonaFilter image-container slide-image-large on-image"><div><img data-src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/560d9ebedd08950c628b46c8-1200/once-a-tropical-storms-winds-exceed-39-mph-the-storm-gets-a-name-most-storms-that-make-landfall-in-the-us-are-tropical-storms-not-major-hurricanes-of-category-3-and-above.jpg" src="/assets/images/logos/BI-placeholder.svg" alt="Once a tropical storm's winds exceed 39 mph, the storm gets a name. Most storms that make landfall in the US are tropical storms, not &quot;major&quot; hurricanes of Category 3 and above." border="0" class="slide-image-large on-image" /></div><span class="caption-source"><span class="caption">Hurricanes that have hit the continental US from 1950 to 2011, color-coded by category.</span><span><span class="source"><span><a href="http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/climo/images/conus_hurrStrikes_1950-2011.png">NOAA</a></span></span></span></span></div>

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                                                    <div data-slide="3" id="but-storms-are-too-complex-to-define-by-one-number-needham-said-while-harveys-strong-winds-on-the-texas-gulf-coast-caused-widespread-destruction-most-of-the-devastation-came-after-it-was-downgraded-to-a-tropical-storm-dumping-feet-of-water-on-texas-and-louisiana-3" class="slide-module clearfix vaop-breakpoint">
                        
                        <!-- add title if exists -->
                                                    <h3 class="slide-title">But "storms are too complex to define by one number," Needham said. While Harvey's strong winds on the Texas Gulf Coast caused widespread destruction, most of the devastation came after it was downgraded to a tropical storm, dumping feet of water on Texas and Louisiana.</h3>
                        
                        <div class="KonaFilter image-container slide-image-large on-image"><div><img data-src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/59a364da79bbfd2b008b53ae-1200/but-storms-are-too-complex-to-define-by-one-number-needham-said-while-harveys-strong-winds-on-the-texas-gulf-coast-caused-widespread-destruction-most-of-the-devastation-came-after-it-was-downgraded-to-a-tropical-storm-dumping-feet-of-water-on-texas-and-louisiana.jpg" src="/assets/images/logos/BI-placeholder.svg" alt="But &quot;storms are too complex to define by one number,&quot; Needham said. While Harvey's strong winds on the Texas Gulf Coast caused widespread destruction, most of the devastation came after it was downgraded to a tropical storm, dumping feet of water on Texas and Louisiana." border="0" class="slide-image-large on-image" /></div><span class="caption-source"><span class="caption">Interstate 45 seen during widespread flooding in Houston on August 27.</span><span><span class="source"><span><a href="http://pictures.reuters.com/C.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&VBID=2C0BXZNCBDK4X&SMLS=1&RW=1366&RH=638#/SearchResult&VBID=2C0BXZNCBDK4X&SMLS=1&RW=1366&RH=638&POPUPPN=46&POPUPIID=2C0BF1SSYRL9C">REUTERS/Richard Carson</a></span></span></span></span></div>

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                                                    <h3 class="slide-title">While strong winds can rip shingles off roofs and tear down power lines, flooding often causes more widespread, costlier damage â and can be more dangerous for humans, no matter what the hurricane category is.</h3>
                        
                        <div class="KonaFilter image-container slide-image-large on-image"><div><img data-src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/59a6be8379bbfd2d0d8b4ca8-1200/while-strong-winds-can-rip-shingles-off-roofs-and-tear-down-power-lines-flooding-often-causes-more-widespread-costlier-damage--and-can-be-more-dangerous-for-humans-no-matter-what-the-hurricane-category-is.jpg" src="/assets/images/logos/BI-placeholder.svg" alt="While strong winds can rip shingles off roofs and tear down power lines, flooding often causes more widespread, costlier damage â and can be more dangerous for humans, no matter what the hurricane category is." border="0" class="slide-image-large on-image" /></div><span class="caption-source"><span class="caption">Homes surrounded by floodwater from Tropical Storm Harvey on August 29 in Houston.</span><span><span class="source"><span>AP/David J. Phillip</span></span></span></span></div>

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                                                    <h3 class="slide-title">Harvey was particularly devastating because it stalled over the Houston area, staying in roughly the same place for five days.</h3>
                        
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                                                    <div data-slide="6" id="category-1-hurricanes-have-wind-speeds-of-74-to-95-mph-they-can-damage-a-homes-exterior-break-large-tree-branches-and-knock-down-power-lines-causing-multiday-power-failures-hurricane-dolly-was-this-rating-when-it-hit-texas-in-2008-6" class="slide-module clearfix vaop-breakpoint">
                        
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                                                    <h3 class="slide-title">Category 1 hurricanes have wind speeds of 74 to 95 mph. They can damage a home's exterior, break large tree branches, and knock down power lines, causing multiday power failures. Hurricane Dolly was this rating when it hit Texas in 2008.</h3>
                        
                        <div class="KonaFilter image-container slide-image-large on-image"><div><img data-src="http://static2.businessinsider.com/image/560d9ebedd08950c628b46cb-1200/category-1-hurricanes-have-wind-speeds-of-74-to-95-mph-they-can-damage-a-homes-exterior-break-large-tree-branches-and-knock-down-power-lines-causing-multiday-power-failures-hurricane-dolly-was-this-rating-when-it-hit-texas-in-2008.jpg" src="/assets/images/logos/BI-placeholder.svg" alt="Category 1 hurricanes have wind speeds of 74 to 95 mph. They can damage a home's exterior, break large tree branches, and knock down power lines, causing multiday power failures. Hurricane Dolly was this rating when it hit Texas in 2008." border="0" class="slide-image-large on-image" /></div><span class="caption-source"><span class="caption">Hurricane Dolly caused flooding of 3 feet or more in many areas of southern Texas.</span><span><span class="source"><span><a href="http://pictures.reuters.com/Download/Order/5gTFOWNQhPnKItkD0IdL3Sa1TAvXhQaIfandons1IryFP.yhdoSYV9fx1ORMFoBK58c116b0c423">Joe Mitchell/Reuters</a></span></span></span></span></div>

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                                                    <div data-slide="7" id="category-2-hurricanes-have-wind-speeds-of-96-to-110-mph-storms-of-this-intensity-can-cause-major-damage-to-homes-and-uproot-large-trees-they-also-generate-power-failures-that-last-up-to-weeks-hurricane-ike-was-a-category-2-when-it-hit-texas-in-2008-7" class="slide-module clearfix vaop-breakpoint">
                        
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                                                    <h3 class="slide-title">Category 2 hurricanes have wind speeds of 96 to 110 mph. Storms of this intensity can cause major damage to homes and uproot large trees. They also generate power failures that last up to weeks. Hurricane Ike was a Category 2 when it hit Texas in 2008.</h3>
                        
                        <div class="KonaFilter image-container slide-image-large on-image"><div><img data-src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/560d9ebedd08950c628b46cd-1200/category-2-hurricanes-have-wind-speeds-of-96-to-110-mph-storms-of-this-intensity-can-cause-major-damage-to-homes-and-uproot-large-trees-they-also-generate-power-failures-that-last-up-to-weeks-hurricane-ike-was-a-category-2-when-it-hit-texas-in-2008.jpg" src="/assets/images/logos/BI-placeholder.svg" alt="Category 2 hurricanes have wind speeds of 96 to 110 mph. Storms of this intensity can cause major damage to homes and uproot large trees. They also generate power failures that last up to weeks. Hurricane Ike was a Category 2 when it hit Texas in 2008." border="0" class="slide-image-large on-image" /></div><span class="caption-source"><span class="caption">Hurricane Ike's winds caused severe damage when the storm hit Texas in 2008.</span><span><span class="source"><span><a href="http://pictures.reuters.com/C.aspx?VP3=SearchResult&VBID=2C0FCIBB947R&SMLS=1&RW=1796&RH=857#/SearchResult&VBID=2C0FCIBB947R&SMLS=1&RW=1796&RH=857&PN=2&POPUPPN=106&POPUPIID=2C04080FD3EI9">David J. Phillip/REUTERS</a></span></span></span></span></div>

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                                                    <div data-slide="8" id="while-a-hurricanes-category-classifies-how-strong-it-is-this-definition-cant-fully-predict-how-devastating-it-might-be-superstorm-sandy-hit-category-3-but-by-the-time-it-made-landfall-in-new-york-and-new-jersey-in-2012-it-had-weakened-to-a-post-tropical-cyclone-8" class="slide-module clearfix vaop-breakpoint">
                        
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                                                    <h3 class="slide-title">While a hurricane's category classifies how strong it is, this definition can't fully predict how devastating it might be. Superstorm Sandy hit Category 3, but by the time it made landfall in New York and New Jersey in 2012 it had weakened to a post-tropical cyclone.</h3>
                        
                        <div class="KonaFilter image-container slide-image-large on-image"><div><img data-src="http://static4.businessinsider.com/image/5271314869bedd55724a0840-1200/while-a-hurricanes-category-classifies-how-strong-it-is-this-definition-cant-fully-predict-how-devastating-it-might-be-superstorm-sandy-hit-category-3-but-by-the-time-it-made-landfall-in-new-york-and-new-jersey-in-2012-it-had-weakened-to-a-post-tropical-cyclone.jpg" src="/assets/images/logos/BI-placeholder.svg" alt="While a hurricane's category classifies how strong it is, this definition can't fully predict how devastating it might be. Superstorm Sandy hit Category 3, but by the time it made landfall in New York and New Jersey in 2012 it had weakened to a post-tropical cyclone." border="0" class="slide-image-large on-image" /></div><span class="caption-source"><span class="caption">Hurricane Sandy caused the deaths of hundreds of people and cost $68 billion in damage.</span><span><span class="source"><span>AP</span></span></span></span></div>

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                                                    <div data-slide="9" id="category-3-storms-have-wind-speeds-of-111-to-130-mph-but-with-sandy-the-storm-surge-or-rise-in-sea-level-did-some-of-the-worst-damage-it-reached-nearly-8-feet-in-parts-of-the-jersey-shore-and-6-12-feet-around-new-york-city-its-superstorm-status-was-because-it-was-so-wide-up-to-1000-miles-across-9" class="slide-module clearfix vaop-breakpoint">
                        
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                                                    <h3 class="slide-title">Category 3 storms have wind speeds of 111 to 130 mph. But with Sandy, the storm surge, or rise in sea level, did some of the worst damage. It reached nearly 8 feet in parts of the Jersey Shore and 6 1/2 feet around New York City. Its "superstorm" status was because it was so wide â up to 1,000 miles across.</h3>
                        
                        <div class="KonaFilter image-container slide-image-large on-image"><div><img data-src="http://static1.businessinsider.com/image/5633903ebd86ef15008c5f54-1200/category-3-storms-have-wind-speeds-of-111-to-130-mph-but-with-sandy-the-storm-surge-or-rise-in-sea-level-did-some-of-the-worst-damage-it-reached-nearly-8-feet-in-parts-of-the-jersey-shore-and-6-12-feet-around-new-york-city-its-superstorm-status-was-because-it-was-so-wide--up-to-1000-miles-across.jpg" src="/assets/images/logos/BI-placeholder.svg" alt="Category 3 storms have wind speeds of 111 to 130 mph. But with Sandy, the storm surge, or rise in sea level, did some of the worst damage. It reached nearly 8 feet in parts of the Jersey Shore and 6 1/2 feet around New York City. Its &quot;superstorm&quot; status was because it was so wide â up to 1,000 miles across." border="0" class="slide-image-large on-image" /></div><span class="caption-source"><span class="caption">Burned houses next to those that survived fires during Hurricane Sandy in Breezy Point, Queens.</span><span><span class="source"><span>Adrees Latif/Reuters</span></span></span></span></div>

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                                                    <div data-slide="10" id="hurricane-katrina-in-2005-was-the-most-devastating-storm-ever-to-hit-the-us-it-killed-1833-people-and-caused-108-billion-in-damage-though-it-was-technically-a-category-3-when-it-made-landfall-in-louisiana-with-sustained-wind-speeds-of-125-mph-10" class="slide-module clearfix vaop-breakpoint">
                        
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                                                    <h3 class="slide-title">Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was the most devastating storm ever to hit the US. It killed 1,833 people and caused $108 billion in damage, though it was technically a Category 3 when it made landfall in Louisiana with sustained wind speeds of 125 mph.</h3>
                        
                        <div class="KonaFilter image-container slide-image-large on-image"><div><img data-src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/59a59ce36eac402a008b63f8-1200/hurricane-katrina-in-2005-was-the-most-devastating-storm-ever-to-hit-the-us-it-killed-1833-people-and-caused-108-billion-in-damage-though-it-was-technically-a-category-3-when-it-made-landfall-in-louisiana-with-sustained-wind-speeds-of-125-mph.jpg" src="/assets/images/logos/BI-placeholder.svg" alt="Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was the most devastating storm ever to hit the US. It killed 1,833 people and caused $108 billion in damage, though it was technically a Category 3 when it made landfall in Louisiana with sustained wind speeds of 125 mph." border="0" class="slide-image-large on-image" /></div><span class="caption-source"><span class="caption">Flooded neighborhoods seen as the Coast Guard conducted initial Hurricane Katrina damage-assessment overflights in 2005 in New Orleans.</span><span><span class="source"><span>Getty Images</span></span></span></span></div>

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                                                    <div data-slide="11" id="category-4-hurricanes-have-wind-speeds-of-131-to-155-mph-uprooting-most-trees-and-creating-power-failures-that-can-last-weeks-or-even-months-hurricane-charley-was-a-category-4-when-it-made-landfall-in-florida-in-2004-11" class="slide-module clearfix vaop-breakpoint">
                        
                        <!-- add title if exists -->
                                                    <h3 class="slide-title">Category 4 hurricanes have wind speeds of 131 to 155 mph, uprooting most trees and creating power failures that can last weeks or even months. Hurricane Charley was a Category 4 when it made landfall in Florida in 2004.</h3>
                        
                        <div class="KonaFilter image-container slide-image-large on-image"><div><img data-src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/560d9ebfdd08950c628b46d3-1200/category-4-hurricanes-have-wind-speeds-of-131-to-155-mph-uprooting-most-trees-and-creating-power-failures-that-can-last-weeks-or-even-months-hurricane-charley-was-a-category-4-when-it-made-landfall-in-florida-in-2004.jpg" src="/assets/images/logos/BI-placeholder.svg" alt="Category 4 hurricanes have wind speeds of 131 to 155 mph, uprooting most trees and creating power failures that can last weeks or even months. Hurricane Charley was a Category 4 when it made landfall in Florida in 2004." border="0" class="slide-image-large on-image" /></div><span class="caption-source"><span class="caption">Mobile homes seen torn apart north of Port Charlotte, Florida, on in 2004 after Hurricane Charley moved through the area.</span><span><span class="source"><span><a href="http://www.apimages.com/metadata/Index/Associated-Press-Domestic-News-Florida-United-S-/d61b33eea3e4da11af9f0014c2589dfb/215/0">J.Pat Carter/AP</a></span></span></span></span></div>

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                                                    <div data-slide="12" id="hurricane-andrew-was-one-of-the-strongest-storms-ever-to-make-landfall-in-the-us-it-was-a-category-5-hurricane-when-it-hit-floridas-dade-county-in-august-1992-category-5-storms-have-wind-speeds-greater-than-156-mph-which-can-destroy-most-framed-homes-12" class="slide-module clearfix vaop-breakpoint">
                        
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                                                    <h3 class="slide-title">Hurricane Andrew was one of the strongest storms ever to make landfall in the US. It was a Category 5 hurricane when it hit Florida's Dade County in August 1992. Category 5 storms have wind speeds greater than 156 mph, which can destroy most framed homes.</h3>
                        
                        <div class="KonaFilter image-container slide-image-large on-image"><div><img data-src="http://static5.businessinsider.com/image/560d9ebfdd08950c628b46d5-1200/hurricane-andrew-was-one-of-the-strongest-storms-ever-to-make-landfall-in-the-us-it-was-a-category-5-hurricane-when-it-hit-floridas-dade-county-in-august-1992-category-5-storms-have-wind-speeds-greater-than-156-mph-which-can-destroy-most-framed-homes.jpg" src="/assets/images/logos/BI-placeholder.svg" alt="Hurricane Andrew was one of the strongest storms ever to make landfall in the US. It was a Category 5 hurricane when it hit Florida's Dade County in August 1992. Category 5 storms have wind speeds greater than 156 mph, which can destroy most framed homes." border="0" class="slide-image-large on-image" /></div><span class="caption-source"><span class="caption">The Florida City water tower remained standing over the ruins of the coastal community that was hit by Hurricane Andrew in 1992.</span><span><span class="source"><span><a href="http://www.apimages.com/metadata/Index/Hurricane-Andrew-Homestead/62ebcd90a0274402bdac242312381d78/6/0">AP</a></span></span></span></span></div>

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                                                    <div data-slide="13" id="if-hurricane-irma-remains-a-category-5-storm-when-it-makes-landfall-it-could-cause-power-failures-and-leave-areas-where-it-hits-uninhabitable-for-weeks-or-even-months-theoretically-if-we-extended-the-saffir-simpson-scale-irma-would-be-a-category-6-with-wind-speeds-of-175-to-195-mph-13" class="slide-module clearfix vaop-breakpoint">
                        
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                                                    <h3 class="slide-title">If Hurricane Irma remains a Category 5 storm when it makes landfall, it could cause power failures and leave areas where it hits uninhabitable for weeks or even months. Theoretically, if we extended the Saffir-Simpson scale, Irma would be a Category 6, with wind speeds of 175 to 195 mph.</h3>
                        
                        <div class="KonaFilter image-container slide-image-large on-image"><div><img data-src="http://static3.businessinsider.com/image/59aee75779bbfd2d0d8b69c0-1200/if-hurricane-irma-remains-a-category-5-storm-when-it-makes-landfall-it-could-cause-power-failures-and-leave-areas-where-it-hits-uninhabitable-for-weeks-or-even-months-theoretically-if-we-extended-the-saffir-simpson-scale-irma-would-be-a-category-6-with-wind-speeds-of-175-to-195-mph.jpg" src="/assets/images/logos/BI-placeholder.svg" alt="If Hurricane Irma remains a Category 5 storm when it makes landfall, it could cause power failures and leave areas where it hits uninhabitable for weeks or even months. Theoretically, if we extended the Saffir-Simpson scale, Irma would be a Category 6, with wind speeds of 175 to 195 mph." border="0" class="slide-image-large on-image" /></div><span class="caption-source"><span class="caption">Hurricane Irma barreling toward the Eastern Caribbean as a Category 5 storm, captured by satellite on Tuesday.</span><span><span class="source"><span><a href="https://www.nnvl.noaa.gov/MediaDetail2.php?MediaID=2092&MediaTypeID=1">NOAA</a></span></span></span></span></div>

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                                                    <div data-slide="14" id="the-problem-with-extending-the-saffir-simpson-scale-is-that-its-also-a-measurement-based-on-destruction-and-category-5-storms-typically-destroy-buildings-and-utilities-technically-categories-above-5-wouldnt-cause-more-damage-because-theres-no-more-damage-to-be-done-14" class="slide-module clearfix vaop-breakpoint">
                        
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                                                    <h3 class="slide-title">The problem with extending the Saffir-Simpson scale is that it's also a measurement based on destruction, and Category 5 storms typically destroy buildings and utilities. Technically, categories above 5 wouldn't cause more damage because there's no more damage to be done.</h3>
                        
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                            <h3><span class="all-caps">SEE ALSO:</span> <a href="http://www.businessinsider.com/hurricane-irma-strength-category-forecast-updates-2017-9" >Hurricane Irma is now a Category 5 storm and could make landfall in Florida</a>
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    <h1 itemprop="name">Hurricane categories tell only part of the story â here's the damage storms like Irma and Harvey can do</h1>
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