What can a Cat 3 hurricane do to Florida? Take a look as Milton targets the Gulf Coast

MIAMI — Less than two weeks ago, Hurricane Helene pummeled Florida’s Big Bend region as a Category 4 storm, making landfall near Perry.

The images from Helene’s aftermath show the damage a powerful hurricane can cause.

This week, the latest path forecast has Hurricane Milton, currently a Category 4, on a collision course with Florida’s Gulf Coast possibly as a Cat 3 hurricane.

So what type of damage can those in the cone of uncertainty expect?

Meteorologists expect Milton to make landfall Wednesday night with a life-threatening storm surge reaching up to 12 feet, hurricane-force winds exceeding 110 miles per hour and heavy rain in the Tampa Bay region.

A Category 3 hurricane can bring “devastating damage,” according to the National Hurricane Center.

A guide to hurricane categories

Hurricanes are categorized 1-5 based on wind speeds. Category 5 is the strongest possible storm and is reserved for storms that have wind speeds greater than 157 mph.

A Category 3 storm has winds between 111 and 129 mph. A Category 3, 4 or 5 storm is classified as a “major” hurricane due to the potential for “significant loss of life or damage,” the hurricane center said.

Any hurricane can produce deadly storm surge, flooding and tornadoes.

What can a Category 3 hurricane do?

A National Hurricane center guide describes Cat 3 storm damage as “devastating,” with wind and flying debris capable of destroying “nearly all” mobile homes, especially ones built before 1994.

However, Cat 3 hurricane winds are also strong enough to cause “major damage” to traditional homes, including the capability of removing roof decking.

Doors of buildings and sidings from houses can be ripped off during a Category 3 hurricane, according to a Weather Channel video.

Tree damage is also a concern during a major hurricane. Falling trees can wreck homes, block roads and take down power lines, resulting in extended power outages. Category 3 hurricanes can cause electricity and water to be unavailable for “several days to weeks after the storm passes,” the hurricane center said.

While wind and debris are destructive, flooding from heavy rain and storm surge can cause major problems. Storm surge happens when a hurricane pushes water from the ocean onto shore, which results in several feet of water suddenly showing up above ground.

The hurricane center reports nearly half of all hurricane-related deaths are due to storm surge.

“Though hurricanes are well known for strong and destructive winds, hurricane storm surge is the greatest threat,” NOAA writes in its hurricane guide. “With much of the United States’ densely populated Atlantic and Gulf Coast coastlines less than 10 feet above mean sea level, the danger from storm surges is tremendous.”

As of Monday evening, Manatee County issued mandatory evacuation orders for anyone in Levels A, B, C and those in RVs or mobile homes.

“This is a serious storm,” said Manatee County Public Safety Director Jodie Fiske in a statement. “We need folks to take these evacuation orders seriously and get out of harm’s way.”