Well, from the vortex report you linked to, the 110 kts surface winds are something on the order of .8 of the 153 flight level winds, according to my rudimentary math skills.
I note that, during Andrew, one of the few surface installations to provide actual wind measurements after the opening moments of the strike, the anemometer on Fowey Rocks light, which is a fixed lighthouse, 133 feet tall, 4-5 miles offshore on the reef and edge of the Gulf Stream, stopped transmitting windspeed after apparently having its equipment damaged by wind alone (possibly augmented by flying spray?). But I definitely agree that most of the land based anemometers probably get hit by flying debris.
The 80 kt max at Dry Tortugas sounds right to me, according to what I'v heard of damage in the Keys.
I understand that the extreme winds exist in the eyewall, and rapidly diminish outward from there, keeping in mind of course that they are still very dangerous for many miles out. But eminently more survivable if one takes precautions. Such as occupying a strong structure on high ground. I feel fairly good about my chances if I can just avoid being in that eyewall. I know there are weird pockets and things moving around, though.
Since you've been taking something of a devil's advocate position on Katrina, I'm curious as to your interest in hurricanes? My own interest comes from years on the water, some of them professional, which require some knowledge of weather; also from having ridden out several hurricanes, including the north eyewall of Andrew in south Dade. And, IMO, an awareness of hurricanes is a prerequisite of living in places like Miami anyway.
However, I am not a scientist or anything close, nor nearly as knowledgable as some of the posters on these threads.
110 / 153 = 0.71
From the last vortex:
125 / 161 = 0.77
Weather has been a hobby of mine since I was 10, and I've been in the hobby for 33 years. After graduating from Chanute Weather School in the 92nd percentile of my class, I spent a stint in the Air Force as a weather specialist.
Hurricanes are the Superbowls of meteorology. To me, tornadoes mesocyclones and winter cyclones are akin to all the big college bowel games.
Yes,Yes ....but, did you stay in a Holiday Inn Express???