Debate surges on category 6 hurricane amid hurricane Milton’s fury

WEB DESK: Debate has surged about the need for the introductions of a category 6 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, following the recent intensification of Hurricane Milton in the United States (US).

Hurricane Milton unleashed biblical levels of fury as it rapidly escalated into a Category 5 storm. The hurricane is sustaining winds reaching 280 kilometre per hour and gusts peaking at over 330 km/h!

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This has forced experts and even common citizens to reexamine the existing scale and add a potential new entry – category 6 hurricane – as climate change continues to reshape weather patterns.

The Saffir-Simpson scale currently categorises hurricane based on wind speeds, with category 5 representing the most severe storms. Category 5 is defined by winds exceeding 252 km /h.

However, the increasing frequency and intensity of storms such as Milton has led climate scientists to argue that a category 6 classification could better reflect the escalating intensity of hurricanes driven by climate change.

Hurricane Milton wreaks havoc across the US

In the US state of Florida, local authorities have urged the residents to evacuate immediate. Locals were told to prioritise safety without worrying about potential property damage.

As people flee and evacuate in worry, traffic congestion has become a problem throughout the US state. Local law enforcement decided to implement contraflow measures that would reverse traffic on certain lanes.

Meanwhile, the US’ National Hurricane Centre (NHC) issued urgent warnings for the Yucatan Peninsula in the Mexico Gulf and Florida. The NHC warned of destructive winds and widespread flooding.

Mexican authorities have also been evacuating residents as the storm fast approaches.

Meanwhile, the Florida’s controversial governor Ron DeSantis issued a state of emergency. DeSantis advised his state’s residents to evacuate immediately as Milton approached Gulf of Mexico.

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The situation is particularly hard for Floridians as they are still recovering from Hurricane Helene.

Theme parks across the state stated they were also monitoring the storm’s trajectory. The Walt Disney World and Universal Studios said they were “prepared” for potential closures and evacuation orders should Hurricane Milton shift towards Orlando.