Anyone know the truth about winds vs. standard houses?

[Newly converted]

For any who have seen this before...at what level storm or sustained/gust wind speed(s) will a stock residential house ($250K current market value, stucco on wire mesh/frame home, built in 1990 in Tampa Bay area) with NO window protection become a very unsafe place to be? How about WITH aluminum storm shutters?

Here's why I ask...the emergency authorities in Pinellas County only order evacuations for storm surge affected people...I've never seen them order evacuations for wind. And given the limited number of spaces in shelters I can only assume that its unrealistic for them to tell everyone to get out.

As a matter of fact it has been the case in all other storms, including a Cat 3 Charley that was officially aimed right at Tampa Bay, that they told everyone NOT in a storm surge evac zone to stay put in their houses. But from what I've seen, only newer houses built post-Andrew hurricane code can sustain during 120+mph gusts. I've heard the stories about people curling up their whole family in the bathtub with a mattress for a roof while a freight train wind howls over their head. Very concerning but sounds pretty alarmist to anyone you might ask about this who has not seen it...my neighbors are all saying its fine and they are taking little preliminary actions at all.

So I'm hoping voices of experience can help those of us with the question:

WHAT SHOULD AVERAGE HOME DWELLERS LIKE ME DO TO PROTECT THEIR FAMILY? IS IT OVERREACTING TO MAKE THE EFFORT TO JUST GET OUT OF THE STATE IF IVAN IS AT A CAT 3 OR GREATER AND COMES UP THE WEST COAST OF FLA?

[wlfpack81]

If Ivan does hit the Tampa area as a Cat 4/5 storm I wouldn't want to be anywhere in that area. 130-155mph winds will take out most houses if not cause significant damage.

[WEATHER53]

I am not sure about all the components of the wind but I think at 100+ for every 20 mph increase the pounds per square foot of pressure on a structure doubles

[bahamaswx]

Wouldn't leave the state entirely, but I definitely wouldn't stay in your home.

[WeatherNLU]

Here is a good link. Down at the bottom they have the results of some testing done at TTU on wind damage to certain types of homes. It's surprising that debris even in a 70 mph wind can penetrate a brick home. Amazing.

http://homeenergy.org/archive/hem.dis.a ... .html#tab1

I'm looking for some more.

[gpickett00]

My mom is an architect and her firm can build structures that can withstand 200 mph, but the most important thing to remember is: NO WINDOW OR DOOR CAN WITHSTAND THAT STRONG OF WIND.