I remember when Brett came ashore in a non-populated area of South Texas a few years ago @ about 135-140 mph and 12 hours later it was still hurricane strength well over land.
I remember driving to the Valley a couple weeks after Brett, and it was amazing seeing the mesquite trees layed over from the winds and tornados and seeing all the barb-wired fences covered in grass and debris from the storm surge and flooding. Glad it didn't hit any cities.