Not a category 5 IMO, but very close. At the time of landfall near Boca Grande, recon measured 700 mb flight level winds of 148 kts (170 mph). Reducing this gives an estimate of 153 mph sustained at the surface.
Also, this hurricane was much more intense throughout it's life than one would think because of the central pressure (this was because the hurricane formed and tracked through an area of higher than normal surface pressure). For example, Charley was a 90 kt (105 mph) cat-2 south of Cuba while the central pressure was 980 mb (more indicative of a 75 kt hurricane). Similarly, when Charley was at 954 mb (normal for a 105 kt cat-3), recon was measuring flight level winds more indicative of a 125 kt (145 mph) cat-4. If the same applied at landfall, 941 mb would likely mean surface sustained winds of 130-135 kts (or 150-155 mph).
Peak gusts in such a tightly knit, compact hurricane would likely be in the 180-190 mph range....or capable of causing the same type of damage as a 10-15 mile wide F3 tornado.
This hurricane was even smaller than Andrew...and gives us some excellent insight to the estimated intensity of the infamous 1935 Labor Day hurricane in the Florida Keys. About the same size as Charley, the Labor Day hurricane had a central pressure of 892 mb at landfall. Using other similar small but violent hurricanes as a guide (i.e- Charley, Iris), it's a good bet that sustained winds in the Labor Day hurricane exceeded 200 mph (175 kts), with peak gusts at or above 230 mph (200 kts). That's why the damage aftermath resembled an airliner crash scene...or the aftermath of a violent (F4) tornado; and why some unfortunate victims were found literally "sandblasted" to death after the hurricane's passage....an extremely gruesome scene for survivors and rescuers.
