Wind is one of the most important things to address if you’re trying to avoid damage to your home. If you live in an area that has significant wind issues, you need to address the wind issues as early as possible or you risk your home’s roof coming off completely. Some cities are more at risk from wind problems than others and wind experiences have peaked over the years. Here’s what you should know about the windiest cities in the United States.
The 20 Windiest Cities in the United States on Average
There are some cities in the United States that have more wind problems than other cities. However, the cities might not be exactly what you were expecting. The NOAA’s National Centers for Environmental Information has been cataloguing wind speed data since 1984, allowing it to understand what cities are the windiest over time. Here are the 20 windiest cities in the United States on average.
- Mount Washington, NH: 35.7
- Dodge City, KS: 13.1
- Amarillo, TX: 12.9
- Cheyenne, WY: 12.3
- Goodland, KS: 12.1
- Rochester, MN: 12.1
- Clayton, NM: 12.1
- Lubbock, TX: 12.0
- Casper, WY: 12.0
- Corpus Christie, TX: 11.7
- Wichita, KS: 11.5
- Boston, MA: 11.5
- Great Falls, MT: 11.4
- New York, NY: 11.3
- Oklahoma City, OK: 11.3
- Wichita Falls, TX: 11.2
- Grand Island, NE: 11.2
- Fargo, ND: 11.1
- Galveston, TX: 11.1
- Concordia, KS: 11.0
Interestingly, you’ll note that Chicago, the Windy City, isn’t even on this list. That’s because Chicago’s windiness comes from wind tunnels, which happen due to the buildings and skyscrapers in the city. Chicago properly has a wind speed of only 9.9 MPH on average, but the wind tunnel effect creates huge amounts of windiness.
The Most Intense Wind Experience in United States History
Mount Washington has the highest wind speeds in the United States on average, but it also has the highest wind speed overall. In 1934, a team of scientists measured winds that were blowing at 231 MPH. This remains the fastest winds in the United States and in the Western Hemisphere. It even held the world record for 62 years.
Avoiding Property Damage From Wind
Property damage is one of the most damaging things that wind can bring right to your doorstep. Debris can fly, trees can fall, and roofs can come off if you don’t have a wind brace. About a quarter of home insurance claims happen because of wind damage, with an average claim settlement amount of just over $10,000. Make sure you’re paying attention to wind damage if you’re looking to reduce your property concerns.
Conclusion
There are many things you need to pay attention to if you’re trying to keep your home safe, including animals, water damage, and wind. Wind can seriously impact the safety and security of your home, but if you consult with an expert in your area, you can avoid that damage before it ever happens.
