Why are Hurricanes Irene and Sandy not Category 5?

[Plankton5165]

Hurricane Sandy denied my mother power for a week (which she said was the worst of her life) and my father power for like 5 days. Hurricane Irene could’ve denied my family the return to NJ from FL vacation, and did deny my sister’s friend power for an entire month.

These two hurricanes were among the costliest in history. But these are Category 3 hurricanes, not Category 5 like Rita, Wilma, Katrina, and Matthew. Why? I don’t get it.

[lfromnj]

Because they didn't have the wind speed. They were so destructive because NJ isn't really built that well against hurricanes because of the rarity.

[The Mikado]

Hurricane Sandy denied my mother power for a week (which she said was the worst of her life) and my father power for like 5 days. Hurricane Irene could’ve denied my family the return to NJ from FL vacation, and did deny my sister’s friend power for an entire month.

These two hurricanes were among the costliest in history. But these are Category 3 hurricanes, not Category 5 like Rita, Wilma, Katrina, and Matthew. Why? I don’t get it.

Category 5 doesn't refer to damage, it refers to the top sustained wind speed exceeding 155 miles per hour.

Worth pointing out Categories 3-5 are all called "Major hurricanes," and a category 3 or 4 is no joke just because the wind doesn't quite hit that threshold.

[President Punxsutawney Phil]

The damage that a hurricane does is not measured purely by wind speeds but by a mix of other factors, including where it hits.