A hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 111-129 mph is considered to be a Category 3 cyclone on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
Once a hurricane strengthens into Category 3 storm it is considered to be a major hurricane.
The wind scale does not take into account flooding, erosion, tornadoes or storm surge that are often deadly during a Category 3 hurricane.
According to NOAA, well-built homes may incur major damage and many trees will snap and block roadways.
Power outages in coastal and inland communities are usually substantial, with restoration efforts taking weeks to complete.
Along the coast, a Category 3 hurricane can produce a storm surge from 9 to 12 feet, which can propagate inland along rivers and creeks. Large waves along the coast can cause severe erosion and devastation of oceanfront properties.
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Prior to the arrival of a storm, widespread evacuations are issued, which extend many miles inland.
After the passage of a Category 3 hurricane, clean-up of debris may take several months.
Once sustained winds are greater than 129 mph, a hurricane is considered to be a Category 4 on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
A Category 4 storm is capable of producing devastating to catastrophic damage, and similar to a Category 3, the cyclone is considered to be a major storm.
On average, three cyclones strengthen into a Category 3 hurricane every season, with the first forming around September 1 and the last towards the end of October.
Hurricane Zeta (115 mph) – 2020
Hurricane Wilma (120 mph) – 2005
Hurricane Katrina (125 mph) – 2005