As of 5:40 p.m. ET, Dennis' maximum sustained winds increased to 115 mph making it a major Category 3 hurricane once again. The Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunter Aircraft found a rapid drop in the pressure signifying intensification. Also when viewing the satellite, Dennis has regained most all of the organization and symmetry that it had before its Cuban landfall.
For those not familiar with what Cat 3 or Cat 4 means:
Category Three - An Extensive Hurricane
- Winds: 111-130 mph, 97-113 kts, 178-209 km/h
- Minimum surface pressure: 964-945 mbar
- Storm surge: 9-12 ft, 2.7-3.8 m
- Foliage torn from trees; large trees blown down. Practically all poorly constructed signs blown down. Some damage to roofing materials of buildings; some wind and door damage. Some structural damage to small buildings. Mobile homes destroyed. Serious flooding at coast and many smaller structures near coast destroyed; larger structures near coast damaged by battering waves and floating debris. Low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 3 to 5 hours before hurricane center arrives. Flat terrain 5 feet of less above sea level flooded inland 8 miles or more. Evacuation of lowlying residences within several blocks of shoreline possibly required. Example: Hurricane Gloria (1985)
Category Four - An Extreme Hurricane
- Winds 131-155 mph, 114-135 kts, 210-249 km/h
- Minimum surface pressure: 944-920 mbar
- Storm surge: 13-18 ft, 3.9-5.6 m
- Shrubs and trees blown down; all signs down. Extensive damage to roofing materials, windows and doors. Complete failures of roofs on many small residences. Complete destruction of mobile homes. Flat terrain 10 feet of less above sea level flooded inland as far as 6 miles. Major damage to lower floors of structures near shore due to flooding and battering by waves and floating debris. Low-lying escape routes inland cut by rising water 3 to 5 hours before hurricane center arrives. Major erosion of beaches. Massive evacuation of all residences within 500 yards of shore possibly required, and of singlestory residences within 2 miles of shore. Example: Hurricane Andrew (1992)