How many Category 5 hurricanes have hit the US as Hurricane Milton joins elite list of Atlantic storms

The highest classification is Category 5, meaning a storm with sustained wind speeds of 157 mph or more.

Since 1924, the National Hurricane Center has recorded approximately 42 tropical cyclones that have reached Category 5 intensity in the Atlantic basin, with Hurricane Milton being the most recent, currently threatening Florida’s Gulf Coast with 180 mph winds.

A vehicle is stranded in high waters on a flooded highway at Interstate 10 and Washington in Houston, on Monday, July 8, 2024, after Hurricane Beryl came ashore. (AP Photo/Maria Lysaker, File)

However, the total number of Category 5 storms is likely higher, as monitoring technology, such as satellites, wasn’t available until the 1960s. Many powerful storms might have gone undetected before then.

Some Category 5 hurricanes have reached that intensity multiple times during their lifespan. For example, Hurricanes Allen in 1980, Isabel in 2003, and Ivan in 2004 each achieved Category 5 strength three separate times.

The 1932 Cuba hurricane and Hurricane Irma in 2007 hold the record for the longest time spent as a Category 5, each maintaining that strength for 78 and 77 hours, respectively, according to NOAA.

Although several hurricanes have peaked at Category 5, only four have made landfall in the US at that intensity.

1935 Labor Day Hurricane

In early September 1935, the Labor Day Hurricane became the most intense storm to ever make landfall in the US, devastating Florida. It claimed 408 lives, many of whom were World War I veterans stationed in the Florida Keys. The storm caused $6 million in damage, equivalent to $137 million in 2024.

A man walks near a flooded area near the Swannanoa river, effects from Hurricane Helene , Friday, Sept. 27, 2024, in Asheville, N.C. (AP Photo/Erik Verduzco, File)

Hurricane Camille (1969)

Camille, the strongest hurricane of the 1969 season, hit Mississippi just before midnight on August 17. It generated a storm surge of 24 feet, flattening most of the coastline. Camille caused $1.42 billion in damages (over $12 billion in 2024) and left more than 259 people dead.

Hurricane Andrew (1992)

On August 22, 1992, Hurricane Andrew struck southern Florida as a Category 5 storm with sustained winds of up to 165 mph and gusts as high as 174 mph. It caused $30 billion in damage and more than 40 deaths, becoming the costliest natural disaster in US history at that time. After the 1992 season, “Andrew” was retired from the list of future storm names.

A stretch of Bradenton Beach, Fla, that is still recovering from flooding and damage from Hurricane Helene is seen ahead of the arrival of Hurricane Milton on Anna Maria Island, Tuesay, Oct. 8, 2024. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

Hurricane Michael (2018)

On October 10, 2018, Hurricane Michael made landfall in Mexico Beach, Florida, with peak winds of 160 mph, the strongest storm to hit the Florida Panhandle. Initially classified as a Category 4, it was later upgraded to Category 5 after post-storm analysis. Michael resulted in 74 deaths, including 59 in the US and 15 in Central America, and caused $25.1 billion in damages.

Notable Category 5 Hurricanes

Here is a list of the 42 recorded tropical cyclones that reached Category 5 status in the Atlantic basin since 1924:

– Cuba (1924)
– San Felipe II Okeechobee (1928)
– Bahamas (1932)
– Cuba (1932)
– Cuba-Brownsville (1933)
– Tampico (1933)
– Labor Day (1935)
– New England (1938)
– Great Atlantic (1944)
– Carol (1953)
– Janet (1955)
– Esther (1961)
– Hattie (1961)
– Inez (1966)
– Beulah (1967)
– Camille (1969)
– Edith (1971)
– Anita (1977)
– David (1979)
– Allen (1980)
– Gilbert (1988)
– Hugo (1989)
– Andrew (1992)
– Mitch (1998)
– Isabel (2003)
– Ivan (2004)
– Emily (2005)
– Katrina (2005)
– Rita (2005)
– Wilma (2005)
– Dean (2007)
– Felix (2007)
– Matthew (2016)
– Irma (2017)
– Maria (2017)
– Michael (2018)
– Dorian (2019)
– Lorenzo (2019)
– Ian (2022)
– Lee (2023)
– Beryl (2024)
– Milton (2024)

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