A hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 130-156 mph is considered to be a Category 4 cyclone on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
A Category 4 cyclone is considered to be a major hurricane and is only one class below a Category 5.
The scale does not take into account flooding, erosion, tornadoes or storm surge that are known to be deadly during a Category 5 hurricane.
According to NOAA, well-built homes can sustain severe damage, with the complete demise of mobile homes. Most trees will be snapped, with downed vegetation causing significant damage to power lines.
Power outages in the worst impacted communities could last months, as some neighborhoods are uninhabitable.
Along the coast, a Category 4 hurricane can produce a storm surge from 4 to 5 feet. This rise in water level can cause localized erosion and flood low-lying areas.
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Prior to the arrival of a storm, extensive population centers are put under mandatory evacuations, which can take days to complete.
After the passage of a Category 4 hurricane, clean-up of debris may take several months.
Once sustained winds are greater than 156 mph, a hurricane is considered to be a Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
Due to the warm water and atmospheric conditions that are needed to support Category 4 storms, the majority occur in September and October.
Hurricane Ian (150 mph) – 2022
Hurricane Ida (150 mph) – 2021
Hurricane Harvey (130 mph) – 2017
Hurricane Irma (130 mph) – 2017