SAM, VICTOR, AND THE TEXAS SEASON ENDING
Hurricane Sam has been one of the most impressive storms to come along in a while. Sam formed on the 23rd of September, became a hurricane the next day, and became a major hurricane the day after that, September 25th. Sam has maintained the status of a major hurricane, cat 3 or better, ever since. A full week now of winds of 115 mph or higher. And it's mostly been higher. Sam becomes the 8th hurricane in the sattelite era ( since 1966 ), to maintain cat 3 status or higher for 7 days or more. Hurricane Ivan in 2004 holds the record at 10 days. And Sam is expected to remain at cat 3 until at least early on Sunday ( Oct. 3 ). Sam hit cat 4 status on the 26th, and on that same day, hit what is estimated to be it's peak intensity with winds of 155 mph. Technically, winds of 156 mph and greater put you in cat 5 territory. Sam could very well have been a cat 5 at that time, but it was a little too far out in the open ocean for recon to be there at that time. With category 5 hurricanes...