Wind versus Water Damage to Buildings: A Meteorological Perspective

This paper will discuss how meteorological data is utilized when determining wind versus water damage to a particular building site in a hurricane. The author will present examples of how satellite, radar, dropsonde, and anemometer data have been used and misused in past court cases. Delineating the damage between wind and water involves knowledge of building construction, as well as understanding the direction and magnitudes of the wind and water forces during the hurricane. Thus, meteorologists can make positive contributions by providing expert testimony while understanding the limitations of meteorological data.