[PleaseNoMore]

Ok. I am going to ask an absurd question. Hyperthetically ( I know it's hypo but I am a bit anxious here about this thing thus the hyper )...IF this storm came in at Wilmington at its current force and on a NW track, how would a person that is 103 miles to the NW of Wilmington fare with regards to wind speed? I guess what I am curious about is how long the decelleration of wind would take or how quick it would weaken. Can that even be determined? Am I right that once the ey hits land that the storm quickly loses strength?

[nicholle]

Hi Oceanview -

Check out this link for the inland wind estimates. The Hurricane is currently moving at 13mph, so you'll have to use 15 as the estimate:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutmeow.shtml

[PleaseNoMore]

Ok one more ?? Which side of the hurricane is the side that packs the most dangerous winds and tornadic activity. I can't remember.

[SC Swamp Fox]

I am in Florence, SC about 100 miles NW of where Hugo made landfall. We had pine trees down and a couple of tornados that took off a few roofs and knocked down power lines. Moderate wind damage and a lot of rain.

It was about as bad as a very sever thunderstorm, it just lasted a lot longer. If Isabel were to stay south and approached SC, I will evacuate to my sister's which is about another 80 miles west.

The folks from the Charleston area where evacuated to Florence. Hugo chased them up I-95.

[oceanview]

it really depends on where you live, I know that may not be a definitive answer, but I believe that is the truth. how close to the coast or a body of water, are you in an area that floods, lots of trees around? a cat 3, just taking into account the winds, should not blow your house down like Andrew did as a cat 5 in florida.

[NautiNurse]

Graph showing approximate wind speed decay following hurricane landfall. Unfortunately, top wind for major hurricane is only 120 mph.