What categorie cane would you ride out?

[cycloneye]

With my experiences in the past I can ride cat 2 canes
not more stronger.

[ohiostorm]

Ive never been in one yet but I might be able to be in a Cat 3. I would have to be in a very sturdy hotel or something though. 4's and 5's scare me!

[P.K.]

I can't even imagine sustained cat 1 windspeeds here..........

[AussieMark]

I can't even imagine sustained cat 1 windspeeds here..........

same here its not reall something that the SE of australia has ever had to deal with.

the most we get is remnants from one

[vbhoutex]

I've been in CAT2 Conditions at least 2 and maybe three times. I said CAT3 because that is what Alicia was coming in here in 1983. At my house we had CAT2 conditions and did pretty well. If a CAT5 was coming into our area, the way it was coming in and a few other factors would help me decide whether to head for the hills literally.

[AL Chili Pepper]

I've been through Frederic and Ivan, and that's enough for me. Cat 4 or 5 and I'm gone.

[CharleySurvivor]

I rode Charley which was a Cat 4.

Would I ride it again?... yes, if I had too but would much prefer a Cat 1. It would be a 'breeze' compare to Charley.

[HurricaneBill]

I'd definitely do a Category 1. However, Category 1 hurricanes can still pack quite a punch. Gloria sure did.

[Scorpion]

I picked a Cat 5. If one came knocking on my door you bet I would stay. It is an incredible experience that must not be missed. My house is reinforced concrete block, so I am sure it would hold well.

[cajungal]

I know people would have to think I am crazy, but I would want to experience a 5. But, only in a concrete home. I live in a brick home about 30 miles inland. But, I do live in Terrebonne Parish where the coastal erosion is severe. Every year, we are put closer to the gulf. While 30 miles inland may sound like a lot to some people, here is not considered anything. The only hurricane I ever went through was Andrew. We got 100 mph winds here. I was just 16 and I was scared. I thought that the roof was going to go any second. The wind sounded like a freight train going over my house. The pine trees in the back yard were bending all the way to the ground. My curtains in my bedroom were being sucked all the way in. You could not even hear yourself talk above the wind. It was an experience I will never forget.

[vbhoutex]

I picked a Cat 5. If one came knocking on my door you bet I would stay. It is an incredible experience that must not be missed. My house is reinforced concrete block, so I am sure it would hold well.

Think again!! Most of the structures along the MS Gulf Coast for at least a quarter mile inland and for miles along the coast were DESTROYED!! Didn't matter what their construction was, they were gone. I saw homes blown off their foundatins miles inland. Unless your house is actually built better than the current hurricane code you would be a fool to stay in it during a CAT5.

The only reason I say I might stay during a CAT5 in Houston is that I am 45 miles inland from the GOM and our winds would probably be in the CAT3 range.

[cajungal]

It depends on the size of the hurricane. Since we are so flat and marshy around here, we would probably still get Cat 5 winds here. We live on nothing but swamps around here. For Betsy the eyewall was 40 miles wide. My dad lived about 45 minutes away from Grand Isle and got 150 mph sustained winds. My mom was living in Thibodaux and got 125 mph winds. And that was before coastal erosion got this severe, and Thibodaux was further inland than it is now. I seen pictures after Betsy, and all of Terrebonne and Lafourche Parish looked like a wasteland.

[KWT]

I can't even imagine sustained cat 1 windspeeds here..........

same here P.K,living in the U.K we never have to ride out those sorts off winds,although we do get some big atlantic depressions that can give gusts upto hurricane force...ut thats completely different to actually being in a hurricane.

[Lindaloo]

None for me because you never know about storm surge.

[Rainband]

Cat 1. Last year was a wake up call for me and Tony. It didn't get really bad but bad enough

[sunny]

I wouldn't stay for anything stronger than a 2.

[AussieMark]

it depends where u liv I suppose.

a Category 2 up in new england area is a rather potent storm.

whereas a 3 or 4 over the southern states is rather potent.

[x-y-no]

I picked five.

I rode out Andrew in my parents' house in South Miami. Now that part wasn't a five of course, but probably a weak to middling four (I know ... "weak four" is an oxymoron). The experience was far from pleasant, but being there meant that in the aftermath I could be of use to neighbors and friends who hadn't fared as well as I did.

If another five were headed towards Miami, I'd button up my place and head for my parents' again. I don't know how well it would stand up to Cat 5 conditions, but even if there were serious roof damage the structure would do OK, I think, or failing that I know what to do to maximize my chances.

One thing for everyone to consider when making evacuation decisions is that intensity forecasts aren't terribly reliable. Assume that the landfall intensity may be a full category above what is forecast and act accordingly. In extreme cases, it may be even more than that, but a single category error isn't unusual at all.

[HurricaneBill]

same here its not reall something that the SE of australia has ever had to deal with.

the most we get is remnants from one

With the way Cyclone Steve was going, it could have made it to SE Australia.

[Ed1]

Being in Central Florida .. I'd ride em out.
Pretty exciting last year.