Hurricane Milton: How many Category 5 hurricanes have hit the US?

As Hurricane Milton approaches the Florida coast, its unprecedented strength has drawn comparisons to some of the most powerful storms in US history. Milton’s rapid intensification to Category 5 status has raised questions about the frequency and impact of such extreme hurricanes making landfall in the United States.

Category 5 hurricanes are the most intense tropical cyclones, with sustained winds exceeding 157 mph (252 km/h). These storms are capable of causing catastrophic damage, often resulting in massive evacuations, extensive property destruction, and potential loss of life.

Notable Category 5 hurricanes

Throughout recorded history, only a handful of Category 5 hurricanes have made direct landfall on US soil. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) reports that since 1924, at least 40 Atlantic storms have reached Category 5 intensity. However, of these, only four have maintained this strength upon landfall in the United States.

One of the most recent and destructive Category 5 hurricanes to hit the US was Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Making landfall in Florida with wind speeds of 175 mph, Katrina became the fourth strongest storm to ever hit the state. It resulted in 1,392 deaths and caused an estimated $125 billion in damage.

It made its second and most destructive landfall near Buras, Louisiana, as a strong Category 3 hurricane with sustained winds of 125 mph.

Other notable Category 5 hurricanes that have impacted the US include:

The 2024 Atlantic hurricane season has been particularly active and unusual. Hurricane Milton is the second Category 5 storm of the season, following Hurricane Beryl in July. This marks only the sixth year since 1950 with multiple Category 5 hurricanes in a single season.