How strong is a Category 1 hurricane?

Tropical Storm Beryl is expected to strengthen into a Category 1 hurricane before making landfall in Texas.

The Category 1 rating comes from the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale, which ranks a hurricane based on its sustained wind speed.

A hurricane is considered Category 1 if it has sustained winds between 74 and 95 miles per hour.

Hurricanes are not considered to be "major hurricanes" until they reach Category 3, but Category 1 and 2 hurricanes are still very serious and have led to devastation in the past.

Related

Live Updates: Hurricane Beryl's path, Dallas-Fort Worth impact

Hurricane Beryl made landfall on Monday morning as a Category 1 near Matagorda, Texas.

The National Weather Service says the winds from a Category 1 hurricane could damage roofs and cause branches of trees to snap and cause some shallow-rooted trees to fall. 

Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale

  • Category 1: 74-95 mph
  • Category 2: 96-110 mph
  • Category 3: 111-129 mph
  • Category 4: 130-156 mph
  • Category 5: 157 mph or higher

Live Beryl Tracking Map

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