A hurricane’s “highest category” is Category 5 on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Category 5 storms have sustained winds of 157 mph (252 km/h) or higher and can cause catastrophic damage, including extreme structural destruction, widespread power outages, and life-threatening storm surge and flooding. Key points:

• The scale ranges from Category 1 (least intense) to Category 5 (most intense) and is based primarily on sustained wind speeds.
• Category 5 storms are capable of profound, long-lasting impacts to buildings, infrastructure, and coastal areas, especially when combined with storm surge, rainfall, and high waves.
• It’s important to note that the Saffir-Simpson scale does not account for all hazards (such as rainfall-induced flooding or tornadoes), so a hurricane rated Category 5 can still pose severe threats from multiple hazards even if some conditions differ by location and timing.

If you’d like, I can tailor this to a specific recent hurricane event or provide a quick comparison of the wind ranges and typical damage associated with each category.