Even High Rises Aren't Safe?

[FullCountNotRecount]

I always counted on staying in one during a hurricane if I ever got stuck in New Orleans for a hurricane.

[DoYouEverWonder]

1. No

Nowhere is safe in a storm like this.

I remember in Hurricane David, the storm blew out the windows in a condo on the beach and a lady got sucked out of her apartment and killed.

[HereSince1628]

2. If the city is drowned, there is likely to be no electricity

and without power the city will be without water.

[RebelOne]

3. If there are 175 mph winds, I would not want to be in a high rise. n/t

[TankLV]

4. Most are designed to withstand a 50-100 year storm.

We just completed a building in Lake Charles, LA - designed to meet the current codes - max wind of 110 mph.

We had that building inspected every which way inside out - the curtainwall/window contractor (low bidder of course) was absolutely awful! He had to redo almost the entire curtainwall system 2 and 3 times before we would allow it to pass the tests - and I'm talking about setting up massive flood/wind/impact tests - it originally leaked like a sieve! We tore away the completed interior finishes for a couple stories in selected places and let'er rip. But eventually, with much effort and many extra days, we got it all to our satisfaction. We don't really rely on just the manufacturer's word - ever!

If you want all buildings to look like the pyramids, then sure, we could all design buildings to withstand almost anything - but do we want that?

The problem is not even necessarily the winds, even tho analysis of Hurricane IWA and INIKI in Hawaii, of which I was a part as chairman of the AIA codes committee - showed that the real damage is caused by the THOUSANDS of TORNADOS a hurricane produces, it's the damage from impact with wind blown debris that punctures the skin/windows of a typical building that causes most of the damage.

That and the problem that the contractors installed all the hurricane clips and anchors - but only used half or not even 10% of the screw/nails/fasteners REQUIRED to completely secure them in place!

A lot of the curtainwall/window systems blow out and then the interior is left exposed and the gyp.board (drywall) walls blow out, causing a cascading effect.

Whatever people do, stay away from the exterior of any building - don't "gawk" at the approaching storm - get as far to the center/interior of the building as possible - preferably between the concrete elevator shafts and stairwells - those would be your most secure places.

So, to answer your question - yes they should be relatively safe - but nothing is quaranteed - especially if the actual conditions exceed the "designed" conditions.

[mike_c]

5. damned good advice, tank....

eom

[flyingfysh]

11. Katrina wind is much higher than 110mph

Don't take chances; we need all the DU posters we can get. So get out of town!

[sandnsea]

12. 110 mph?

This storm is hitting 150+ mph. Your building wouldn't stand up to that, would it? If not, why aren't the codes higher? Not criticizing, just asking.

[TankLV]

14. Your are reading my comments correctly - it wouldn't.

:yourock:

I hope people go around and try to bring in things like yard stuff - lawn chairs, garbage cans, etc. - they become projectiles during a hurricane.

I hope the authorities are stressing this item, too.

[rbjensen]

6. Always wondered that myself. n/t

[Dogmudgeon]

7. There are buildings rated to survive such a storm

The problem is that most people who are left won't get to them -- not without a major effort mounted by emergency and police personnel who stay behind.

Even a badass hurricane like this is limited in its power. There are places where people will be able to survive without too much trouble. Generally, they would be big, squat buildings, with a third floor that will be above the storm surge line. But it's a little late to do much advance planning at this point. We have to depend on a couple of minor miracles -- but human beings in crisis tend to do better than we fear.

It will be bad. It will not be total. It will probably not even be as bad as we are fearing.

But, yes, it will be bad.

--p!

[msongs]

8. wind pressure against a building =

"As winds increase, pressure against objects is added at a disproportionate rate. Pressure against a wall mounts with the square of windspeed so that a threefold increase in windspeed gives a nine-fold increase in pressure. Thus, a 25 mph wind causes about 1.6 pounds of pressure per square foot. A four by eight sheet of plywood will be pushed by a weight of 50 pounds. In 75 mph winds, that force becomes 450 pounds, and in 125 MPH WINDS, it becomes 1,250 pounds. For some structures, this force is enough to cause failure."

http://www.globalsecurity.org/eye/isabel.htm

and for 175 mph winds?

[jpak]

9. If there is a fire and the streets are flooded

The fire dept. may not be able to respond.

Flood water + damaged electrical systems + damaged natural gas systems = big trouble.

[flyingfysh]

10. high rises get knocked down - remember Camille

Remember what happened during Hurricane Camille several years ago. The high rises near the shore got wiped out entirely, along with the residents holding hurricane parties.

[WillyT]

13. Not Exactly A High-Rise, But...

The Richelieu Apartments before Hurricane Camille. The Richelieu Apartments after Hurricane Camille.

A three-story apartment complex.

Link: http://hurricanes.noaa.gov/prepare/

This ain't goona be good.