As Hurricane Milton barrels through the Gulf of Mexico towards Florida on Wednesday, officials downgraded the storm from Category 5 to Category 4. That's not enough to rescind calls for residents to evacuate.

For a look at how hurricanes are categorized, and what it means for sustained wind speeds, Benzinga looked at the Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale.

This scale helps estimate the likely damage and flooding a hurricane can cause. Here's a breakdown of each category:

Category 1

Winds: 74-95 mph Damage: Minimal damage to well-constructed homes, some damage to roofs, shingles and gutters. Trees may lose branches, and power...