With all of the press surrounding Hurricane Patricia and its devastatingly high Category 5 classification, we’re shocked it made as little impact as it did. Initially predicted to have a catastrophic affect on Mexico with its maximum sustained winds of 200 mph and storm surge as high as 39 feet, the monstrous storm thankfully broke up into a tropical storm shortly after making landfall.
However, it is still considered to be one of the largest hurricanes ever recorded. Keep in mind that the term “largest” doesn’t refer to the physical dimensions of the storm, but to the devastation inflicted or overall strength. The methodology is based on several factors, including wind speed, damage inflicted, and death toll.
Below are the five strongest storms ever recorded in American history.
5. Hurricane Patricia
Hurricane Patricia Advancing on Mexico
Before you say anything, Mexico is in the Americas. Don’t be a Trump-nugget.
Patricia makes the list because it had the highest sustained wind speeds ever measured at 200 mph. Sustained wind speed is an average measurement taken at ten meters in the air over the course of a minute’s time. To reach Category 5 status, a storm must meet sustained wind speeds of 157mph. Fortunately, Patricia didn’t live up to her potential, and damage caused by the storm “[was] less than those expected from a hurricane of this magnitude,” according to the Associated Press. At the time of the AP report, Patricia had been downgraded to Category 1. The hurricane dissipated just thirty hours after peaking in intensity.
