Check out http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutwindprofile.shtml http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutwindprofile.shtml In summary the peak is highly variable for every storm

Check out http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutwindprofile.shtml http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/aboutwindprofile.shtml In summary the peak is highly variable for every storm but is usually somewhere around 500-1000 feet above ground level. Its not irrelevant that its so high off the ground ... a tree thats uprooted, picked up to 500 feet, accelerated to 150 MPH, and dropped on you might land on you in merely 100 MPH winds, but it'll still be flying at 150 MPH (maybe faster?) Note there are plenty of broadcast transmitter towers where the top will get winds 50 MPH faster than the surface. 500 feet is only maybe 50 stories for a tall building. So there is some impact directly on the largest constructed things. "How come the 150 MPH rated water tower survived but the 160 MPH radio antenna next to it collapsed?" well the water tower was in 130 MPH winds and the antenna was in 180 MPH winds at the same time so ...