Allen

In 1980, Hurricane Allen set a record that remains unbeaten: sustained wind speeds reached 306 km/h. The storm, which started off the coast of Africa, quickly intensified, eventually hitting the Caribbean and southern US states. Allen stunned even seasoned meteorologists, as its power repeatedly reached the top category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale. In Texas, the hurricane caused mass evacuations and millions of dollars in damage.

Gilbert

Hurricane Gilbert, also a category 5 storm, struck North America in 1988, with maximum winds reaching 297 km/h. It brought heavy rain and caused flooding in Texas, especially in coastal cities and along the Rio Grande River, leading to severe flooding and evacuations. However, Jamaica and northeastern Mexico were hit hardest. Hundreds of lives were lost, and thousands of homes were destroyed.

Labor Day Hurricane

In 1935, the first-ever recorded category 5 hurricane in the US hit the Florida Keys on September 2, coinciding with the national Labor Day holiday, from which it got its name. Wind speeds reached 295 km/h. The hurricane claimed over 400 lives, destroyed nearly all buildings on the islands, and produced massive storm waves that completely washed away the railway.

Dorian

Hurricane Dorian struck in 2019, affecting the coastal regions of Florida, North and South Carolina, but its main impact was felt in the Bahamas. Wind speeds peaked at 295 km/h, and the storm maintained its peak strength for over 24 hours, a rare phenomenon. While the US avoided a direct hit, Dorian caused billions of dollars in damage.

Wilma

In 2005, Hurricane Wilma also reached wind speeds of 295 km/h. It first ravaged Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula, causing catastrophic destruction. Wilma then moved toward the US, hitting Florida, where it caused widespread flooding and left millions without power. This hurricane was part of the highly active 2005 season, during which several powerful storms struck the Atlantic coast one after another.