Hurricane info for those who need it:
Category 1 (This is Florence now before the eye has landed)
74-95 mph
Very dangerous winds will produce some damage: Well-constructed frame homes could have damage to roof, shingles, vinyl siding and gutters. Large branches of trees will snap and shallowly rooted trees may be toppled. Extensive damage to power lines and poles likely will result in power outages that could last a few to several days.
Category 2 (This was Florence when word came from on high that a 2 was more dangerous than a 4)
96-110 mph
Extremely dangerous winds will cause extensive damage: Well-constructed frame homes could sustain major roof and siding damage. Many shallowly rooted trees will be snapped or uprooted and block numerous roads. Near-total power loss is expected with outages that could last from several days to weeks.
Category 3
111-129 mph
Devastating damage will occur: Well-built framed homes may incur major damage or removal of roof decking and gable ends. Many trees will be snapped or uprooted, blocking numerous roads. Electricity and water will be unavailable for several days to weeks after the storm passes.
Category 4 (Here is the 4...notice it says, "Catastrophic damage will occur" as opposed to the Category 2 where it doesn't say that)
130-156 mph
Catastrophic damage will occur: Well-built framed homes can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
Category 5
157 mph or higher
Catastrophic damage will occur: A high percentage of framed homes will be destroyed, with total roof failure and wall collapse. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
So, according to word from on high, we should have wished for a Category 4 because they move through faster, and going with that philosophy, why not a Category 5! Nope! Not all the time, and not even close to a certainty that a stronger storm moves through quicker. Another weather system can hold any hurricane in place for a long time. Also, look at the description of Category 4 and 5 -- "Catastrophic damage".
Yes water causes more death than the winds, but I never said anything to the contrary. Meteorologists have been talking all week about how the storm could have landed as a 4, and they were all in agreement that if it weakened that that would be better. Man that sounds hard to believe!
A stronger storm not only does more wind damage (go look up the devastation from Category 5 Andrew), but it also creates a bigger storm surge. No matter how you slice it, a weakening storm is better than one that doesn't weaken, and a weaker storm is always preferable to a stronger one. Can a weaker storm based on circumstances do more damage than a stronger one? Of course, but you don't wish for the SAME storm to be more powerful.
Oh and...
Mueller is coming.
The clown is done.