DEVELOPING Live updates: Category 5 Hurricane Milton approaches Florida coast
Hurricane Milton is a Category 5 storm forecast to bring extreme flooding, high winds and heavy rain to the central west coast of Florida.
The Category 5 storm approaching Florida is the most powerful type of hurricane.
On Monday, Hurricane Milton quickly intensified from a Category 2 storm to reach the highest and most dangerous rank on what's known as the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.
The scale, which was adopted in the 1970s, categorizes hurricanes from one to five based on their maximum sustained wind speed. It is also meant to provide insight into potential damage, which can increase significantly with each category.
A hurricane is essentially a tropical cyclone that has reached wind speeds of 119 km/h or more. In addition to destructive winds, these large and rapidly rotating low-pressure storms can bring rain-induced flooding, multiple tornadoes and deadly storm surges, which is when wind pushes seawater ashore.
The term "hurricane" specifically refers to storms formed over the Atlantic Ocean and northeastern Pacific, while similar tropical cyclones are called "typhoons" in the western Pacific. According to the , any Category 3 or higher storm is considered a "major" hurricane.
This is what the categories mean:
A tropical cyclone becomes a hurricane when it reaches sustained wind speeds of 119 km/h or more. Some damage is possible to roofs, shingles, vinyl siding and gutters on homes. Unprotected windows are also at risk of flying debris. Extensive damage to electricity lines and poles can result in dayslong power outages.
Hurricane Hazel in 1954 claimed 81 lives in Canada, largely from flooding in Toronto, where it arrived as a Category 1 storm after previously making landfall in the U.S. as a Category 4.
Winds become extremely dangerous and capable of extensive damage. Homes can experience major roof and siding damage while trees with shallow roots will be toppled. Widespread power outages can last from days to weeks.
In 1963, Hurricane Ginny became the strongest hurricane to make landfall in Canada when it arrived in Nova Scotia as a Category 2 storm.
Damage becomes devastating. Nearly all older mobile homes will be destroyed. Well-built houses can incur major damage, such as the removal of roof foundations. Numerous trees will be uprooted or snapped, blocking roads. Running water will also be affected in addition to electricity.
Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was one of the deadliest storms in recent U.S. history, claiming nearly 1,400 lives after it made landfall in Louisiana and Mississippi as a Category 3.
There will be catastrophic damage. Even well-built houses can lose roofs and exterior walls. Nearly all commercial signage will be destroyed. Most trees and electricity poles will be toppled, isolating some areas and leading to lengthy power outages. Affected areas could become uninhabitable for weeks or months.
Hurricane Helene killed more than 200 people in the U.S. in September and was a Category 4 storm.
Damage is catastrophic. A high percentage of homes and almost all mobile homes will be destroyed. Most unprotected windows will be shattered in high-rise buildings. Nearly all trees and electricity poles will be knocked over, isolating some communities. Electricity and water outages could last months while impacted areas are likely to be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
Hurricane Andrew caused widespread damage in Florida in 1992 when it arrived as a Category 5 storm. As hurricanes become more intense, some scientists have even suggested .
Hurricane Milton is a Category 5 storm forecast to bring extreme flooding, high winds and heavy rain to the central west coast of Florida.
COVID-19 could be a powerful risk factor for heart attacks and strokes for as long as three years after an infection, a large new study suggests.
The federal government introduced a number of measures related to housing on Tuesday, which include measures for homeowners wanting to add a secondary suite, taxing vacant land and building homes in place of underused federal properties.
An organization that ranks the best universities across the globe says its latest report shows a concerning trend that several of Canada鈥檚 institutions are slipping down its list.
Andrew Garfield鈥檚 ability to so lovingly and poetically express his grief for his mother, Linda, who died of pancreatic cancer in 2019, offers a gift of connection, and, perhaps, catharsis, to anyone experiencing loss.
Hurricane Milton churned Wednesday toward a potentially catastrophic collision along the west coast of Florida, where some residents insisted they would stay after millions were ordered to evacuate and officials warned that stragglers would face grim odds of surviving.
One in eight women will be diagnosed with invasive breast cancer in their lifetimes, according to the American Cancer Society. Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death for women in the United States, with 42,000 women dying every year from this cancer.
A British Columbia provincial court judge says a Boston Bar man who shot a teacup Chihuahua named Bear claiming it was menacing his chickens was not justified in killing the animal.
The minority Liberal government is not considering proroguing Parliament, Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland said Tuesday, despite persisting uncertainty over who is willing to keep propping them up and procedural wrangling over a Conservative led-privilege debate.
Have you ever seen videos of hovercrafts online or on TV and thought, 'Wow, I wish I could ride one of those.' One Alberta man did, and then built his own.
Saskatchewan鈥檚 Jessica Campbell has made hockey history, becoming the first ever female assistant coach in the National Hockey League (NHL).
A B.C. couple is getting desperate 鈥 and creative 鈥 in their search for their missing dog.
Videos of a meteor streaking across the skies of southern Ontario have surfaced and small bits of the outer space rock may have made it to land, one astronomy professor says.
A unique form of clouds made an appearance over the skies of Ottawa on Sunday evening.
Bernie Hicks, known as the 鈥楤atman of Amherst,鈥 always wanted to sit in a Batmobile until a kind stranger made it happen.
Bubi鈥檚 Awesome Eats, located on University Ave West took to social media to announce the closure on Friday.
Weeneebayko Area Health Authority and the Government of Ontario have awarded a $1.8 billion fixed-price contract to design, build and finance a new Far North hospital.
Manitobans are in cleanup mode after intense winds barreled through southern parts of the province this weekend.