Hurricane Melissa

[Western_KS_Wx]

Some incredible damage to concrete/masonry buildings and trees. Looks like at least one slabbed home too.

Edit: After finding its location on Google Maps, I think the house in the last pic was slabbed by surge rather than wind. Still, rest of the pics are incredible.
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I think you’re not going to find much more extreme wind damage from a hurricane than what we’re seeing from Melissa, it’s honestly insane. The damage to concrete buildings, entire shredding of trees and vegetation including debarking(!!), you name it. This thing was simply a monster. Essentially a gigantic EF3+ tornado.

 

[jiharris0220]

Significant Wind Levels
Level Wind Direction Wind Speed
927mb (Surface) 185° (from the S) 172 knots (198 mph)
924mb 190° (from the S) 171 knots (197 mph)
922mb 185° (from the S) 179 knots (206 mph)
921mb 185° (from the S) 185 knots (213 mph)
919mb 190° (from the S) 187 knots (215 mph)
918mb 190° (from the S) 195 knots (224 mph)
917mb 190° (from the S) 189 knots (217 mph)
916mb 195° (from the SSW) 203 knots (234 mph)
915mb 195° (from the SSW) 189 knots (217 mph)
914mb 195° (from the SSW) 189 knots (217 mph)
912mb 205° (from the SSW) 206 knots (237 mph)
911mb 205° (from the SSW) 215 knots (247 mph)
907mb 205° (from the SSW) 214 knots (246 mph)
906mb 205° (from the SSW) 219 knots (252 mph)
901mb 215° (from the SW) 207 knots (238 mph)
890mb 215° (from the SW) 201 knots (231 mph)
884mb 220° (from the SW) 184 knots (212 mph)
879mb 220° (from the SW) 176 knots (203 mph)
867mb 225° (from the SW) 182 knots (209 mph)
864mb 225° (from the SW) 190 knots (219 mph)
862mb 225° (from the SW) 192 knots (221 mph)
860mb 230° (from the SW) 211 knots (243 mph)
858mb 230° (from the SW) 198 knots (228 mph)
856mb 230° (from the SW) 196 knots (226 mph)
853mb 235° (from the SW) 185 knots (213 mph)
850mb 240° (from the WSW) 187 knots (215 mph)
846mb 245° (from the WSW) 197 knots (227 mph)
831mb 265° (from the W) 171 knots (197 mph)
830mb 255° (from the WSW) 189 knots (217 mph)
827mb 260° (from the W) 181 knots (208 mph)
826mb 265° (from the W) 166 knots (191 mph)
825mb 265° (from the W) 170 knots (196 mph)
820mb 270° (from the W) 141 knots (162 mph)
808mb 265° (from the W) 160 knots (184 mph)
801mb 260° (from the W) 144 knots (166 mph)
789mb 260° (from the W) 163 knots (188 mph)
773mb 265° (from the W) 115 knots (132 mph)
750mb 270° (from the W) 140 knots (161 mph)
741mb 255° (from the WSW) 110 knots (127 mph)
730mb 250° (from the WSW) 106 knots (122 mph)
713mb 255° (from the WSW) 133 knots (153 mph)

This is from the dropsonde, not the drone.

The NHC did use this dropsonde to support the 160knot upgrade as the WL-150 (which had an average of 188knots) supports an estimated wind speed of 158knots, which rounds to 160knots.

The FLW of 173knots from that last NOAA plane pass before landfall supports 156knots using a standard ratio of .90, but in storms like Melissa, which was “bottom heavy”, a .95 or even a .99 ratio is more applicable.

Either way, post analysis will find out soon just how strong this storm really was.

 

[buckeye05]

Debarked tree trunk in Black River

 

[buckeye05]

I think you’re not going to find much more extreme wind damage from a hurricane than what we’re seeing from Melissa, it’s honestly insane. The damage to concrete buildings, entire shredding of trees and vegetation including debarking(!!), you name it. This thing was simply a monster. Essentially a gigantic EF3+ tornado.

It’s close to the worst I’ve seen in terms of photographed eyewall damage, and the deforestation/debarking from Melissa is about as bad as it gets from a hurricane. But imo, what I’ve seen so far hasn’t quite eclipsed the house leveling/slabbing, vehicle throwing insanity of Dorian and Irma. Dorian’s eyewall was so violent that auto body paint was sandblasted from cars, and some were thrown considerable distances. In one instance a school bus was thrown and ripped apart. However, on social media Josh Morgerman has indeed confirmed instances of collapsed concrete buildings and wood frame homes swept from their foundations from Melissa’s eyewall. I’m sure Melissa has caused damage on par with, if not worse than Irma and Dorian, but it’s just that clear definitive photographs haven’t emerged quite yet.

Examples of what I’m talking about from Irma and Dorian.

Irma
———
Homes leveled and slabbed, including two anchor bolted ones in the first pic. Thrown vehicles as well.





Dorian
———
Paint sandblasted from the hoods and bumpers of cars. Thrown cars and a school bus. Leveled and slabbed homes, included the last one which was anchor bolted.

 

[tornado examiner]

It’s close to the worst I’ve seen in terms of photographed damage, but IMO, it hasn’t quite eclipsed the house leveling/slabbing, vehicle throwing insanity of Dorian and Irma. Dorian’s eyewall was so violent that auto paint was sandblasted from cars, and some were thrown. In one instance a school bus was tossed, thrown out into a field, and ripped apart. However, Morgerman has indeed confirmed concrete buildings collapsed and wood frame homes swept from their foundations from Melissa’s eyewall.

Examples of what I’m talking about from Irma and Dorian. I’m sure Melissa has caused damage like this, but it just hasn’t been clearly photographed yet.

Irma
———
Homes leveled slabbed, including two anchor bolted ones in the first pic. Thrown vehicles as well.
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Dorian
———
Paint sandblasted from the hoods and bumpers of cars. Thrown cars and a school bus. Leveled and slabbed homes, included the last one which was anchor bolted.
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I….didn’t know it was possible for a hurricane to do this…

 

[buckeye05]

I….didn’t know it was possible for a hurricane to do this…

Cat 5 eyewall damage is comparable to violent tornado damage.