Category three hurricane means: The intensity of a hurricane is used to rate it. This scale can be used to estimate the damage and potential flooding that could occur along the coastline after a hurricane makes landfall. The scale is based on wind speed, since storm surge values depend heavily upon the slope of continental shelves in the area.
(in Medical Dictionary)
What else does Category three hurricane mean?
Categor three hurricane: An hurricane that has winds of 111 to 130 mph, 96-113 knots or 178-209 kmhr. Storm surge is generally between 9-12 feet higher than normal. Small residences and utilities buildings may sustain minor structural damage due to curtainwall failures. Trees with their foliage removed and damaged, as well as shrubbery. Large trees are also damaged. Signs and mobile homes that are poorly designed will be destroyed. Rising water cuts low-lying escape routes 3-5 hours prior to the arrival of hurricane center. Smaller structures are destroyed by flooding near the coast. Larger structures, however, may be damaged from debris and battering. A flood zone may form inland if the terrain is continuously below 5 feet above mean sea level. It may be necessary to evacuate low-lying homes that are located along the shoreline.
(in Medical Dictionary)
