At what wind speed does home damage drastically increase? (storms, places, United States) - Weather -Temperature, sun, sunlight, rain, hurricanes, tornadoes, climate, forecasts, humidity, heat, snow... - City-Data Forum

papafox · 10-04-2017, 10:25 AM

At what turning point in terms of wind speed, does damage to homes go quickly from none or minimal, to drastic?

If I had to guess I'd say in the low 100s range (perhaps 100-110 mph), but am curious what others think?

Botev1912 · 10-04-2017, 01:46 PM

In the US lower speeds, in Europe much higher. Houses in the US are a joke almost everywhere.

Cambium · 10-04-2017, 01:57 PM

What is your definition of "drastic"??
Are you talking about sustained or gusts??
What locations??

Did you see Puerto Rico? 140mph sustained winds and all that happened was windows blew out and roof shingles came off. Structures still in tact.

If 140mph happens anywhere north of Gulf states I bet homes would fly like Dorothys did in Kansas.

My windows are only made to withstand 80mph winds. Down south pretty sure its more like maybe 95mph?

My roof is made for 100mph winds. Down south its more.

Cambium · 10-04-2017, 01:59 PM

After Hurricane Andrew in the 1990s hurricane straps became mandatory on structures and even decks. Even up our way. So if you look back at the past, weaker winds did more damage in that sense.

Isleofpalms85 · 10-04-2017, 04:50 PM

I would venture to guess that the homes built along the Atlantic and Gulf Coast areas have greater resilience to high wind speeds than is the case for say the interior Western United States(I’m referring to the Western United States east of California but mainly from Montana through New Mexico and points west), I would guess that homes built in the Great Plains have a higher wind speed tolerance than homes built in the central or eastern Midwest.

Steelernation71 · 10-04-2017, 07:54 PM

We had an 81 mph wind gust back in march with sustained winds of near 70 mph. There was lots of damage from falling trees and basketball hoops, but wind damage to houses was very minor if there was any.

So I'd guess much higher--like 110+ mph.

ABrandNewWorld · 10-04-2017, 08:07 PM

Depends on the structure obviously: some cement homes in Florida can easily stand a cat 5+ without much damage while some non anchored trailer homes (in places like California that get very little "weather") will be blown away with winds of 60 mph.

forgotten username · 10-05-2017, 10:55 AM

probably 200 km/h I guess ? I don't know, just based on storms in Brittany which can be pretty intense in the winter time.