what really causes the most damage in a hurricane?

Question

my teacher said it wasn;t water or wind.. but a mix of the two. does anyone know what it is? Please respond ASAP

Answer 1

It really depends on where you are.
If you are in a low lying area, then water probably causes the most costly damage. If this is coupled with being right on the coast where the storm surge comes ashore, then this does represent the most serious threat to life.
If you are in a hilly area, then the water may cause mud slides and wash large boulders down streams, both of which cause a lot of property damage and loss of life.
The wind itself does not cause too much damage or loss of life. What is dangerous is the debris that goes flying. Parts of trees, bits of roof and other debris can damage property and kill. Surprisingly, coconut palms are very springy and can act like catapults. A 200mph coconut can do a lot of damage.

Answer 2

Water, Wind, and the tornadoes spawned by hurricanes, I would think, all share in the damage. I don't know of any one worst cause, as each hurricane is a little different. A slow moving hurricane with a lot of water (flooding) or a lot of wind can be more destructive than a fast moving hurricane.

Answer 3

What causes the most damage during a hurricane is the storm surge. All the water goes everywhere destroying everything it touches.

Answer 4

well, i guess he could be right.....the wind causes damage to structures, then the water gets inside of everything and causes water damage, so it is both, but without the wind, the water would not cause near as much damage as it does

Answer 5

the storm surge and the 28 hours we spent on the road as we fled hurricane Rita and got 45 miles away.
That really screwed the brakes on my car ! !

Answer 6

storm surge and the wind

Answer 7

army corp of engineers?

Answer 8

a lack of beer.