All articles tagged with #category 5
Tropical Cyclone Horacio became the world’s first Category 5 tropical cyclone of 2026, peaking at 160 mph over warm South Indian Ocean waters; it poses no land threat and is expected to weaken as it moves into cooler waters and higher wind shear, a reminder that climate change may drive a higher share of storms to Category 4–5 strength.
Taiwan's CDC proposed upgrading Nipah virus to Category 5, a notifiable disease requiring immediate reporting and special controls; the proposal, released Jan 16, is open for 60 days of public comment and would follow India's Nipah outbreak in West Bengal. Nipah has been under Taiwan's priority surveillance since 2018, and globally has had about 750 reported cases with roughly a 58% fatality rate. Taiwan maintains a Level 2 yellow travel alert for Kerala, India, with advisories to be updated as the outbreak evolves. Nipah spreads from bats and animals, can contaminate foods like raw coconut juice, and has limited human-to-human transmission, with symptoms ranging from mild to fatal encephalitis.
Hurricane Melissa, one of the strongest in history, struck Jamaica as a Category 5 storm causing extensive damage, and has now weakened to Category 2 as it impacts Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, with warnings of dangerous floods and landslides across the Caribbean.
Hurricane Melissa has intensified to a Category 5 storm, surpassing Hurricane Katrina in 2005, and is approaching Jamaica with a central pressure of 901 millibars, making it one of the strongest Atlantic hurricanes on record.
Hurricane Melissa, a Category 5 storm, is threatening Jamaica with potentially catastrophic impacts including up to 40 inches of rain, 9 to 13 feet of storm surge, and destructive winds as it approaches landfall late Monday into Tuesday.
Hurricane Melissa is rapidly intensifying to a potential Category 5 storm, threatening Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, and the Bahamas with catastrophic flooding, landslides, and destructive winds, with up to 40 inches of rain and storm surges of 9 to 13 feet expected.
Tropical Depression 9 is expected to stay east of Western North Carolina, reducing landfall concerns, while Hurricane Humberto has intensified to a Category 5 but remains over open water and poses no threat to the U.S.
Hurricane Humberto has rapidly intensified into a Category 5 storm with 160 mph winds, posing a potential threat to coastal areas, and authorities are monitoring its development closely.
Hurricane Erin rapidly intensified to a Category 5 storm in the Atlantic, marking one of the fastest intensifications on record, likely influenced by global warming, and is expected to weaken but grow in size as it passes north of Caribbean islands, posing risks of heavy rain, flooding, and rough seas in the region and along the US East Coast.
Hurricane Erin, the first major hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season, rapidly intensified into a Category 5 cyclone before weakening slightly to Category 4, impacting the northern Caribbean with heavy rain and potential flooding, while a Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for the Turks and Caicos. The season has seen four tropical storms so far, with more development possible in the Atlantic.
Hurricane Erin, the first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic season, has intensified into a catastrophic Category 5 storm near Puerto Rico, with winds reaching 160 mph, and is expected to impact the northern Leeward Islands, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, and potentially the U.S. East Coast, while also raising concerns about wildfires due to dry conditions and strong winds.
Hurricane Erin has strengthened to a Category 5 storm with winds near 160 mph, threatening the East Coast, Bahamas, and Atlantic Canada with heavy rainfall, dangerous surf, and rip currents, prompting warnings and flood watches in affected areas.
Hurricane Otis, one of the strongest storms to hit Mexico, made landfall in Acapulco as a Category 5 hurricane with 165 mph winds, causing widespread devastation. The storm knocked over trees, flooded streets, triggered landslides, and left many areas without power or cellphone service. The full extent of damages and potential injuries and deaths is unclear due to communication disruptions. Videos and photos showed hotels, restaurants, and bridges underwater, with buildings and structures damaged. The storm has since dissipated, but residual rain may lead to more flooding and mudslides.
Hurricane Otis, the only hurricane on record to make landfall in Mexico as a Category 5, has dissipated after cutting communication to Acapulco. The Mexican army and navy have been deployed to provide rescue and relief in the affected areas.
Hurricane Otis rapidly intensified into a Category 5 storm just before making landfall in Acapulco, Mexico, causing a "nightmare scenario" and knocking out all communications in the area. The storm's sudden burst of power took residents and officials by surprise, leaving little time to prepare. While the full extent of the damage is not yet known, there have been no reports of casualties so far. Mexican officials are driving to Acapulco to assess the damage in person due to the loss of communication. The storm's rapid intensification is believed to be a symptom of the climate crisis.