What categorie # cane would you ride out?

[JonathanBelles]

[quote="m_ru"]I would stay for anything but a 4 or 5.


i agree

[MiamiensisWx]

i agree

Are you in the surge zone?

[Astro_man92]

Cat 1 18% [ 9 ]
Cat 2 18% [ 9 ]
Cat 3 42% [ 21 ]
Cat 4 4% [ 2 ]
Cat 5 18% [ 9 ]

Total Votes : 50


What the heck!?!?!? 9 for cat 5 did anyone see what Dennis(2), Ivan(3), Charley(4), Frances(2), Jeanne(3), Katrina(3), & Andrew(5) did?

(#) Cat. When they made landfall

[MiamiensisWx]

I also cannot believe how many people voted Category Three as their choice.

I hope those who did are at the very least NOT in the surge zone.

[MiamiensisWx]

This poll really should be locked, in my opinion.

[Tampa Bay Hurricane]

Cat 1 18% [ 9 ]
Cat 2 18% [ 9 ]
Cat 3 42% [ 21 ]
Cat 4 4% [ 2 ]
Cat 5 18% [ 9 ]

Total Votes : 50


What the heck!?!?!? 9 for cat 5 did anyone see what Dennis(2), Ivan(3), Charley(4), Frances(2), Jeanne(3), Katrina(3), & Andrew(5) did?

(#) Cat. When they made landfall

The people who voted 5 most likely did so jokingly.

[m_ru]

This poll really should be locked, in my opinion.

Why?

[MiamiensisWx]

Why?

Because so many people voted to stay for major hurricanes. Unless they live out of the surge zone or far inland, it feels very insulting after the destruction of storms such as Katrina and Rita. Some people did not leave because they thought those storms would not be bad, and look what happened.

[Audrey2Katrina]

I have, and would ride out a 1 or 2, but 3 or higher is too dangerous IMHO. I'm out'a dodge for anything higher than that. --Only too familiar with what these things can do. I think those who said they'd ride out a 5 either were joking, or clearly have never ridden through one of those monsters and haven't a clue about what they're suggesting--no offense intended, just speaking from experience.

[MiamiensisWx]

I have, and would ride out a 1 or 2, but 3 or higher is too dangerous IMHO. I'm out'a dodge for anything higher than that. --Only too familiar with what these things can do. I think those who said they'd ride out a 5 either were joking, or clearly have never ridden through one of those monsters and haven't a clue about what they're suggesting--no offense intended, just speaking from experience.

I agree. You are much, much wiser than what some others seem to be.

[m_ru]

Why?

Because so many people voted to stay for major hurricanes. Unless they live out of the surge zone or far inland, it feels very insulting after the destruction of storms such as Katrina and Rita. Some people did not leave because they thought those storms would not be bad, and look what happened.

Well, you don't know where they live in terms of their distance from the coast, and I don't understand how people having a vast difference in opinion on the strength of hurricanes they would ride out is any grounds to close a thread, even with the terrible storms that have hit this year. This is a poll so obviously a large difference in opinion is to be expected.

Alot of these people may be 10 miles inland or more.

[MiamiensisWx]

Well, you don't know where they live in terms of their distance from the coast, and I don't understand how people having a vast difference in opinion on the strength of hurricanes they would ride out is any grounds to close a thread, even with the terrible storms that have hit this year. This is a poll so obviously a large difference in opinion is to be expected.

Alot of these people may be 10 miles inland or more.

OK, thanks for telling me. I'm sorry for sounding rude to others... it's just that, after this season, I don't want to see any more lives lost (although I know that's impossible).

[Extremeweatherguy]

Cat 1 18% [ 9 ]
Cat 2 18% [ 9 ]
Cat 3 42% [ 21 ]
Cat 4 4% [ 2 ]
Cat 5 18% [ 9 ]

Total Votes : 50


What the heck!?!?!? 9 for cat 5 did anyone see what Dennis(2), Ivan(3), Charley(4), Frances(2), Jeanne(3), Katrina(3), & Andrew(5) did?

(#) Cat. When they made landfall

I think they mean if it was that category at landfall. With a typical storm you can take off about a category for every 30-40 miles inland you travel. With slow moving storms it is safe to knock off a category for every 10-15 miles, and for fast movers, a category off for every 50-60 miles sounds about right. So if it is a typical storm and a 160mph cat. 5 at the coast and you are 120 miles inland...then it should only be a strong cat. 1 when it reaches you. Yes, still a hurricane but a lot weaker (although still enough to knock over trees and snap branches like they are toothpicks). If it happens to be a fast mover though, then it may be as strong as a Cat. 3, and if it is a slow mover it may only be a T.D. by the time it gets 120 miles inland. In this case 2 out of 3 of the scenarios are in favor of the home owner. In this scenario I would stay for even a 5 (In reality though, I am only about 60 miles inland; meaning 2 out of 3 of the options would be bad for me. If this were to really occur I would probably leave or get into my safe room for the duration).

ALSO: If you are far enough inland to avoid surge, then only inland flooding (if in a flood prone area) and high winds are of concern.

As for the winds...I have put a good scale below on what they can do. this is based on the saffir-simpson scale, personal experience and first hand accounts:

TS force = Can snap branches and knock over a few small to medium sized, shallow rooted trees. Very little structural damage to well built structures...at the most a few shingles may be lost or a pool screen may be ripped.

Cat. 1 force = Many branches will be snapped, including large ones. Also, expect most shallow rooted small trees to be knocked over as well as a few medium to large sized trees. Most trees with a solid root system will be OK. Minor structural damage may occur to well-built structures with isolated cases of windows being blown out. Scattered shingle damage will occur with some homes loosing over 50% of thier shingles. Damage will occur to some garages and pool screens. Wood fences are destroyed.

Cat. 2 force = Thousands of branches will be snapped, including large ones. Most shallow to medium sized trees with shallow root systems will be knocked over with a few large trees also knocked over. Isolated trees with solid roots systems will be uprooted. Some structural damage may occur to well-built structures. Many structures will see shingle and chimney damage. Also, some homes will see partial roofing failures. Most pool screens will suffer serious damage with many being blown to the ground. Scattered window failures will occur. Cars are moved by wind...a few may flip.

Cat. 3 force = Most shallow rooted trees are uprooted with scattered solid rooted trees also uprooted. Most homes will suffer some form of shingle or roofing damage and isolated homes may experience complete roof failure. Scattered homes will suffer window damage. Most garages will experience damage. All fences destroyed. Pool screens and chimneys are destroyed. water towers may collapse. Exposed cars are moved or flipped.

Cat. 4 force = Most trees are uprooted and some forests are 75%+ destroyed. Most homes suffer roofing damage and scattered homes have complete roof failures. Some structures will have curtainwall failures. There is widespread window, pool screen and chimney damage with most exposed windows blown out. All fences and sheds are completely wiped out. Exposed livestock is pelted to death with debri. Water towers may collapse. Exposed cars are flipped.

Cat. 5 force = Almost all trees are defoliated or uprooted. Some large trees may even snap. Most forests are 85%+ destroyed. Most homes suffer serious roof and curtainwall failures. All exposed windows and garages are blown out. Pool screens and chimneys are blown completely away. fences and sheds disappear into rubble. Water towers may collapse. All exposed vehicles are flipped and may move great distances. All exposed livestock are beaten and killed by flying debris.

***As you can tell, no one ever wants to experience a Cat. 3, 4 or 5 force wind. Even inland I would want to leave or get in a SAFE room for that kind of mayhem!***

[windycity]

up to a cat 3. the idea is to secure your house(dade co. upgrades) so you dont need to crowd the highways every time a storm comes. Thats why storm2k is so great.You can chart the storm,watch for pressure changes. If everyone leaves with every cat 1 our roads would be awful. This is the price of living in in Florida. Weve had 3 hurricanes pass our area,and while it was scary,i also felt safe in my home. Be smart,plan ahead,and be aware. It is fear that causes people to do stupid things. Learn as much as you can about hurricanes if you live where you might get hit!!

[Scorpion]

The only reason that this year's hurricanes killed so many was the surge. Living 3 miles inland I have nothing to worry about surge-wise, and I live in a well built structure. Most people would stay for a 5 if they live inland.

[mike815]

i voted cat 2 i just dont want to mess around with these storms. they really mean busness. I really love tracking them and ive been in a few right away when i moved here in 2004. a 3 or higher i would probably leave.

[richartm]

This whole question is pretty useless... Ever seen this before?

EXTENDED OUTLOOK. NOTE...ERRORS FOR TRACK HAVE AVERAGED NEAR 275 NM
ON DAY 4 AND 375 NM ON DAY 5...AND FOR INTENSITY NEAR 20 KT EACH DAY

Unless you're just going to a local shelter, you have no idea what the maximum intensity will be at your house when you have to make the stay or go decision. Every storm is different - some potential cat 2s I might stay, other likely cat 1s I would leave.