Wilma damage in PALM BEACH COUNTY ALONE - $10 billion

[zlaxier]

http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/local/ ... -headlines

Expounding on a previous statement, Palm Beach County Administrator Bob Weisman said he has reached the conclusion that damage to public and private property in the county will be "at least $10 billion." He came to this number by looking at "preliminary work" on property damage by county officials, as well as numbers provided by cities. Extensive damage to the southern part of the county, which is covered with high-value properties, is a key factor in the estimate, he said.

''I think it'll be at least $10 billion, when it gets added," he said.

[Matt-hurricanewatcher]

I used to think to get over 10 billion in damage a area had to be nearly flaten. But thats changed.

[zlaxier]

It's like being nickled and dimed to death because of the population density and area. Home after home with light to moderate to occasional severe damage in a metro area of millions adds up very quickly. This could very well top Andrew when all is said and done if Dade and Broward damage figures are similar to Palm Beach.

[WeatherEmperor]

wow I had no clue. So far all our local news media here in Broward has been talking about is the damage done to Miami-Dade and Broward with no mention at all about the damage in Palm Beach county.

<RICKY>

[Wirbelsturm]

Incredible! What would a cat 4 or 5 do?

[Derek Ortt]

a cat 4 or 5 in the metro areas would cause hundreds of billions of dollars worth of damage

[WxGuy1]

Consider that Katrina did >$60 billion of insured losses (though likely well above $100 billion in total losses), and it wasn't a strong Cat 4 or 5 at landfall. Most of the damage in MS/AL is related to storm surge, except some signficant wind damage (inland) near landfall on the southwestern MS coast. Nearly all of the damage in New Orleans is the result of flooding, not from the wind (though there was likely signficant wind damage in Plaquermines -- sp? -- parish before it all went underwater anyway, and wind played havoc in Slidell). So, Katrina's not a very good example of wind damage, though it's probably one of the best exams we've seen of the power of storm surge. If you bring a strong Cat 4 or Cat 5 straight into a large urban area, I would agree with a >$200 billion damage total (from insured losses).

[johngaltfla]

I used to think to get over 10 billion in damage a area had to be nearly flaten. But thats changed.

Those silver caviar dish sets are expensive to replace.

[fci]

a cat 4 or 5 in the metro areas would cause hundreds of billions of dollars worth of damage

Considering what this Cat 1/2 did the SE Fla, it is UNIMAGINABLE what a Cat 4/5 would do

[thunderchief]

Miami is still the most vulnerable metro area on the hurricane coasts.

[Derek Ortt]

the most velunerable is NYC due to the tidal surge

the most likely to be obliterated is Miami and the remains of New Orleans

[mountainspring]

the most velunerable is NYC due to the tidal surge

the most likely to be obliterated is Miami and the remains of New Orleans

I'm glad Tampa wasn't mentioned! Right?!

[thunderchief]

but miami gets much more frequent and larger canes.

dont worry tampa is up there:P

[Tampa Bay Hurricane]

Speaking in general about Tampa Bay:

To be honest I feel *relatively* safe in Tampa Bay. The statistical chance of a major storm coming in at a particular nightmare angle for
Tampa Bay is slim. We often get impacts from storms that hit Florida, but
it is rare to have a storm come in at the perfect angle
to generate a large surge up Tampa Bay. It's possible, but it
is statistically unlikely. But do not let your guard down, even if the chance
is slim.
All things considered, I am ready for anything, but a significant surge
is statistically unlikely, so I feel *relatively* safe. But no one should let their guard down...and I will not let my guard down either.

Now I'm not complacent...If I see a possible threat I am out of here
quickly...

[Lowpressure]

the most velunerable is NYC due to the tidal surge

the most likely to be obliterated is Miami and the remains of New Orleans

Add Jacksonville to the list.

[micktooth]

Consider that Katrina did >$60 billion of insured losses (though likely well above $100 billion in total losses), and it wasn't a strong Cat 4 or 5 at landfall. Most of the damage in MS/AL is related to storm surge, except some signficant wind damage (inland) near landfall on the southwestern MS coast. Nearly all of the damage in New Orleans is the result of flooding, not from the wind (though there was likely signficant wind damage in Plaquermines -- sp? -- parish before it all went underwater anyway, and wind played havoc in Slidell). So, Katrina's not a very good example of wind damage, though it's probably one of the best exams we've seen of the power of storm surge. If you bring a strong Cat 4 or Cat 5 straight into a large urban area, I would agree with a >$200 billion damage total (from insured losses).

I would have to respectfully disagree with your wind damage assessment. I live in Metairie, outside of New Orleans, and the wind damage here was and still is tremendous. Have you been down here to back up your claim?
BTW, Derek I love your insight and your posts, but let's not have any sarcastic remarks such as " the remains of New Orleans." There are plenty of people down here, including myself who are trying to get our lives back together. We can use all the support we can get.
OK, I'm off of my soapbox now.

[HurricaneBill]

Wasn't there a lot of wind damage to the high rises in New Orleans? Weren't lots of windows blown out?

[dhweather]

Wasn't there a lot of wind damage to the high rises in New Orleans? Weren't lots of windows blown out?

Um, yes. The Radisson has NO windows left in it, for example.

[Derek Ortt]

nocthing sarcastic about my remark, as it is the truth for many parts of the city. it is not the city it once was, just like one day, Miami will be the remains of Miami (came close this time)

[Matt-hurricanewatcher]

Wilma was a strong(126 knots reported by recon at landfall) cat3 in its southern eyewall went very near Miami...If I can remember it. It was very close...