The Richelieu Apartment complex, located near the shoreline, was a three-story concrete structure. As Camille approached, twenty-five residents refused to evacuate. Camille's storm surge destroyed the complex and only two people survived the storm. Because of that tragedy, emergency management authorities and local governments have improved their procedures on public awareness and for issuing evacuations. Often accurate readings of high wind gusts during landfall are impossible because the anemometers at reporting wind stations are ripped from their foundations.
Wind is responsible for much of the structural damage caused by hurricanes.
High winds uproot trees and tear down power lines. The maximum winds from fast moving and powerful storms may remain high, even when the storm is well inland. Often this is actual wind speed combined with the speed of the storm. Check how geography plays a part in the extent of damage a land falling hurricane can cause. Shopping Send us your feedback about this page.