How Large Was Hurricane Irma in Size and Intensity
Hurricane Irma was one of the largest and most intense Atlantic hurricanes on record, with tropical-storm-force winds extending up to 425 miles from the center and hurricane-force winds reaching about 80 miles outward. The storm maintained Category 5 status for three consecutive days, with peak 1-minute sustained winds of 185 mph, making it the strongest Atlantic hurricane outside the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean Sea National Hurricane Center Best Track Data.
Irma's minimum central pressure fell to 914 millibars, ranking among the lowest ever observed in the Atlantic basin and reflecting extreme intensity. The storm's wind field remained unusually large for a Category 5 hurricane, allowing destructive winds to affect a wide area across multiple islands and the Florida Keys.
How Irma's Size Compared to Other Major Hurricanes
In terms of wind-field size, Irma was larger than most Category 5 hurricanes, with tropical-storm-force winds covering an area roughly the size of the state of Florida. Compared to Hurricane Andrew in 1992, Irma's wind field was more than three times wider, and its duration at Category 5 intensity was among the longest for any Atlantic storm Forbes Hurricane Irma vs Andrew Comparison.
While Hurricane Katrina in 2005 was larger overall in terms of size, Irma's combination of extreme intensity and wide wind field made it uniquely destructive across the northeastern Caribbean and parts of the southeastern United States. Its long duration at peak intensity allowed it to maintain Category 5 strength over multiple days, a rare feat in the historical record.
What the Latest Public Data Shows About Irma's Impact and Legacy
Public data from the National Hurricane Center and NOAA confirms that Irma caused widespread destruction across Barbuda, Saint Martin, Virgin Islands, Cuba, and Florida, with total economic losses estimated in the tens of billions of dollars. The storm's large size meant that even areas outside the core experienced tropical-storm-force winds, extending the impact zone significantly SEC EDGAR Company Filings on Storm Impact.
Insurance industry reports and reinsurance data show that Irma was one of the costliest hurricanes in U.S. history, with Florida alone accounting for a large share of claims. The storm's size, intensity, and path have made it a benchmark for future hurricane risk modeling and disaster preparedness planning National Hurricane Center Best Track Data.