Hurricanes: Montserrat is subject to hurricanes and severe weather events. In 1989, Hurricane Hugo (a category 5 hurricane with wind speed peaking at 160 miles per hour) devastated the island. (The capital, Plymouth, had only just been rebuilt when the volcano started erupting.) The frequency of intense storms is increasing with climate change. Also, the loss of natural habitat due to various activities increases the risk that natural events will exterminate a species because of reduced alternative areas of suitable habitat.