Alyono wrote:I have questions about the Camille reanalysis finding it was a 5.
1935, I really am not sure since we don't have the same data that we have on modern day storms. Could really go on a P/W as well as a gradient wind analysis
As an aside, there is no reason Andrew was not a cat 5 initially. The TCR even stated that the gradient wind analysis for Andrew was 140 kts. The 125 kts was very poor science
Let me throw a little non-science observation in here. I lived in Gulf Breeze, FL when Camille came through and in fact was on the 1st commercial flight along the Gulf Coast in 36+ hours the morning after she went in. When we left Pensacola the winds were still gusting in the 50 mph range(around 10 am). About the time she was making landfall we were having sustained(estimation) at around 60 g75-80 based on my observations. We were 100+ mi from the center as the crow flies. Not sure if that helps with anything, but an observation anyway. About 3 weeks later when I had to drive from Gulf Breeze to Houston I had to drive about 100 miles inland since the coast was still closed down. I saw entire forests laid over, not just one or two trees, and a huge gas station sign with ibeam supports at least 12"x18" laid over like spaghetti. Considering distance from the coast and those unscientific observations can you equate that to any kind of strength and translate it to a possible strength at landfall? Needless to say almost all of the damage along the coast that was observable was surge related as opposed to wind caused leading me to believe that the surge came onshore long before the highest winds(similar to Ike) so I know that type of observation probably isn't helpful. I have always felt that she was a CAT5 at landfall just based on my own knowledge and personal experience. Does anything I have observed help one way or the other in that type of determination? Anyway, needless to say I will never forget Camille!!
Alyono I think you make some good points about Andrew. I've always wondered about the reanalysis of the 1935 Hurricane, which while obviously INTENSE AND COMPACT, much like Andrew really didn't have much in the way of verifiable information past on site observation(like mine with Camille) for verification. Not about to downgrade it, but I wish we had the technology then we have now.