The storm began to execute a northward track , and reached Category 3 hurricane status on the Saffir-Simpson hurricane scale on September 18 , before reaching its peak intensity of 120 mph ( 195 km\/h ) .
Continuing to organize , it reached tropical storm strength on September 13 , becoming a hurricane on September 16 and a major hurricane ( Category 3 or higher on the Saffir-Sipson hurricane scale ) on September 17 .