A small wood slab was propped up against the table saw on Lissette Gomez’s porch. Sawdust covered the tabletop, joints and blade showing its recent use.

Large slabs of wood covered the windows of Gomez’ mobile home just off U.S. Highway 17 Business near the Myrtle Beach International Airport.

“The Saffir-Simpson Hurricane Wind Scale is a 1 to 5 rating based on a hurricane’s sustained wind speed,” according to the National Hurricane Center. It is designed to estimate potential property damage based on the severity of the wind.

Hurricane Florence is a Category 4 storm. Here is the NHC’s definition of the effects of a Category 4:

“Winds (1-min sustained winds in mph): 130-156 mph

Summary: Catastrophic damage will occur.

TAMPA, FL — The sustained power of a tropical storm or hurricane can damage or destroy a mobile home in minutes. That’s why it’s important for these residents to pay close attention to weather warnings and prepare well in advance of evacuations being ordered.

Hillsborough County has launched an initiative to spread that message to residents of more than 60,000 mobile homes in unincorporated Hillsborough County and the cities of Tampa, Plant City and Temple Terrace. It’s timely advice with National Preparedness Month in September and the approaching one-year anniversary of Hurricane Irma’s memorable sweep through Florida. Read More