The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale was developed in 1971 and unveiled to the public in 1973. Here’s a look at the system that ranks tropical cyclones by their potential destructive power, how it works and the men who invented it. The scale rates the potential for damage from hurricanes based on the storm’s sustained wind speed.

Ahead of Hurricane Helene's landfall, forecasters are predicting it will hit Florida as a Category 3 hurricane. Here's what that means

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) -- Massive Hurricane Helene crashed into Florida's sparsely populated Big Bend region, bringing storm surge and high winds across the state's Gulf Coast communities before ripping into southern Georgia.

Massive Hurricane Helene crashed into Florida’s sparsely populated Big Bend region, bringing storm surge and high winds across the state’s<a class="excerpt-read-more" href=" More

The storm made landfall as a Category 4 colossus in Florida’s Big Bend region late Thursday, according to the National Hurricane Center.

Hurricane Helene has made landfall in Florida as a powerful Category 4 storm after forecasters predicted "a catastrophic and deadly storm surge" for the Sunshine State. Helene battered the shores around 11:10 p.

Hurricane Helene is expected to strengthen and bring intense flash flooding as well as life threatening storm surge.

Helene -- which strengthened to a Category 4 hurricane on Thursday -- is taking aim at Florida, where it's forecast to make landfall along the Big Bend area.

Florida residents are preparing for a heavy blow from Hurricane Helene as it moves toward Tallahassee, where it’s expected to make landfall Thursday night with winds reaching 140 mph and life-threatening storm surges.