By michael vivar
On Sept. 26, Hurricane Helene battered the Florida panhandle as a Category 4 hurricane producing catastrophic storm surges.
Helene is hitting regions where this weather and phrases like "storm surge" or "Category 4" aren't common. Here are some helpful definitions in these unpredictable times.
Water levels on ocean shores naturally fluctuate with tides. Storm surges are caused by powerful winds that raise levels abnormally and bring destructive floods.
The strength of a hurricane is defined as a "Category". They can be classified from 1 to 5. Each Category is mainly measured by wind speed and destructiveness.
Winds 74 to 95 miles per hour (mph). Damage primarily to shrubbery, tree foliage, poorly built structures and unanchored mobile homes.
Winds 96 to 110 mph. Considerable damage to tree and shrubbery foliage. Some trees blown down. Major damage to poorly built structures.
Winds 111 to 130 mph. Large trees can be blown down. Mobile homes will be destroyed and small buildings will experience structural damage.
Winds 131 to 155 mph. Trees and signs will be blown down. Small residences will suffer extensive damage to roofing material, doors, and windows.
Winds greater than 155 mph. Damage as in previous Categories plus complete failure of many residential and industrial structures. Extensive flooding will occur.
It's generally advisable to evacuate ahead of hurricanes Category 3 and above. This may vary depending on proximity to a coast. Keep tabs on local weather reports.