The Displacements, a novel by Bruce Holsinger published in 2022, opens with a super-hurricane brewing in the Atlantic Ocean. In the story, Hurricane Luna, with 215-mile-per-hour winds, makes a surprise turn for Miami and destroys Southern Florida with a wall of water, bringing up the idea of a new Category 6 for hurricanes.
In the real world, scientists are considering extending the current hurricane-rating system with a new category for storms with winds topping 192 miles per hour. According to a recent paper published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the world has already seen storms that would qualify as Category 6s. This proposed new category addresses the fact that climate change is making the most intense storms stronger.
The addition of a Category 6 designation can help the public understand the increasing dangers of climate change, especially with more intense storms. However, some experts are concerned that adding a new category could create confusion and miscommunication among the public.
While the new framework for a Category 6 takes into account the intensity of recent hurricanes, it is important to address the deadliest aspect of hurricanes. Flooding is responsible for roughly half of the deaths from hurricanes in the United States, but since the current rating system focuses solely on wind speed, it may not effectively communicate the risks people should be most concerned about.
Some experts suggest that the focus should shift towards communicating hurricane risks in a more effective manner, such as through the use of storm surge maps highlighting the risks of inland flooding. This approach aims to better inform the public and help them understand the actual threats posed by hurricanes. Overall, the discussion around the addition of a Category 6 demonstrates the need for more effective communication of hurricane risks in the face of a changing climate.
