Why 60 mph Winds Can Damage Buildings — Lessons from the March 13, 2026 Storm

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Even Though Wind Gusts Were Around 60 mph

During the March 13, 2026 wind event, weather stations across the region recorded maximum wind gusts near 60 mph. These measurements are consistent with observations reported by professional meteorological networks, including local monitoring stations and National Weather Service data.

While a 60 mph wind gust can cause localized damage, modern building codes require buildings to be designed for substantially higher wind loads.

This raises a common question many property owners ask after storms:

If buildings are designed for stronger winds, why did damage still occur?

To answer that, it helps to understand how wind design standards evolved and how wind forces actually affect buildings.

A Quick Look at How Wind Design Evolved

Early 1900s – Limited Wind Design Requirements

Before modern structural engineering standards were widely adopted, many buildings were constructed without formal wind load calculations.

Structures often relied primarily on dead weight and basic construction practices rather than engineered systems specifically designed to resist wind forces.

Typical characteristics of early construction included:

• Minimal roof-to-wall anchorage

• Unreinforced masonry chimneys

• Limited understanding of aerodynamic uplift forces

• Lack of standardized wind load maps

Before the mid-20th century, many buildings were also designed without a clearly defined structural system intended to resist lateral forces such as wind.

When wind provisions did exist, they were often simplified and expressed as prescribed wind pressures applied to the building.

For example, early guidance published by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (formerly the National Bureau of Standards) referenced design wind pressures such as:

Low buildings (under approximately 40 feet tall)Often designed for a uniform wind pressure of roughly 10 pounds per square foot (psf).

Taller buildings (over approximately 40 feet tall)Often designed for pressures near 20 psf.

These early recommendations were not universally adopted and could vary significantly by municipality because national model building codes had not yet been standardized.

As a result, many older buildings still standing today were not designed using modern wind engineering principles.

Modern Wind Design Standards

Today, wind loads for buildings in the United States are primarily defined by structural standards referenced in modern building codes, including:

• International Building Code

• International Residential Code

• ASCE 7 – Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures

These codes are developed and maintained by organizations such as the International Code Council and the American Society of Civil Engineers.

Modern wind design uses 3-second gust wind speeds derived from long-term meteorological data and statistical analysis.

Required design wind speeds vary depending on several factors, including:

• geographic location

• exposure conditions

• building height

• occupancy risk category

• code edition adopted by the jurisdiction

In many inland areas of the United States, design wind speeds for typical buildings are well above 60 mph, while coastal and island regions require substantially higher values.

Building codes are primarily life-safety standards. They are intended to prevent catastrophic structural failure and protect occupants, but they do not guarantee that a building will experience no damage during every wind event.

Guidance published by the Federal Emergency Management Agency explains that code-compliant buildings may still experience damage to building components during strong wind events.

How Wind Actually Damages Buildings

Wind rarely destroys the entire structural system of a building at once.

Damage typically begins with individual building components or connections, especially those located along the building envelope. Once a weak point develops, wind can progressively enlarge the failure.

The most common types of wind damage include the following: A. Roof Uplift

As wind moves across a roof surface, airflow can accelerate and create negative pressure above the roof. This produces uplift forces similar to aerodynamic lift.

Structural design standards such as ASCE 7 – Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures account for these forces through pressure coefficients and roof zone classifications.

The highest wind pressures typically occur at roof edges and roof corners due to airflow separation and turbulence.

Because of this, building codes require stronger fastening patterns and structural connections in these areas.

ASCE 7-16 Wind zone diagram

B. Internal Pressurization

Wind damage can increase significantly if the building envelope becomes breached.

If wind breaks windows, doors, soffits, or garage doors, air can enter the building interior.

This creates internal pressurization, which pushes upward on the roof while external suction forces pull upward at the same time.

The combination can significantly increase loads on the roof structure.

Modern building codes therefore require a continuous load path connecting the roof, walls, and foundation so wind forces can be safely transferred through the structure.

C. Masonry Chimney Vulnerability

Masonry chimneys are commonly damaged during wind events because they are tall, relatively slender, and exposed above the roofline.

Older chimneys may lack reinforcement or adequate anchorage. If mortar joints have deteriorated over time, the structural capacity of the chimney can be reduced, making it more vulnerable during strong gusts.

D. Failure of Secondary Structures

Wind damage sometimes affects secondary structural elements rather than the primary building frame.

Examples include:

• porch roofs

• parapet walls

• architectural overhangs

• decorative façade elements

These components may have lighter structural connections than the primary building system.

E. Aging Materials and Deferred Maintenance

Many buildings currently in service were constructed decades ago, and building materials naturally deteriorate over time.

Examples include:

• corroded roof fasteners

• loosened wood framing connections

• water damaged framing members

• cracked masonry

• separated flashing

• deteriorated sealants

These conditions can reduce a building component’s ability to resist wind forces.

Why 60 mph Winds Can Still Cause Damage

Even though modern codes often require buildings to resist much stronger wind loads than 60 mph, damage can still occur because:

• many buildings were constructed under older codes

• roofing systems are typically the most vulnerable building component

• wind pressures concentrate at roof edges and corners

• envelope breaches can increase internal pressure

• aging materials reduce structural capacity

In many wind events, the primary structural system remains intact while secondary building components fail.

What Property Owners Should Inspect After a Wind Event

After strong winds, property owners should inspect buildings for early signs of damage such as:

• lifted or missing shingles

• damaged roof membranes

• loose flashing

• soffit or overhang damage

• cracked masonry chimneys

• bent gutters or parapets

Identifying and repairing minor issues early can help prevent larger structural problems during future storms.

Final Thoughts

The March 13, 2026 wind event produced gusts around 60 mph, which is below the wind speeds used for structural design in modern building codes.

However, wind damage can still occur due to aging construction, building envelope failures, inadequate connections, and deferred maintenance.

Understanding how wind interacts with buildings helps explain why even moderate storms can produce visible damage.

When structural damage is suspected, buildings should always be evaluated by qualified structural engineers or licensed building professionals.

Written by Firas Abdelahad, P.E.

Firas Abdelahad has been a practicing structural engineer since 2005, collaborating with a diverse range of professionals, including consultants, architects, investors, homeowners, contractors, and subcontractors. Together, they tackle the various challenges that can arise during the design and construction phases of projects.

Firas has reviewed, evaluated, and assessed thousands of properties across the state of Pennsylvania, spanning from State College to Erie and throughout Western PA.

DISCLAIMER:

The information and statements in this document are for information purposes only and do not comprise the professional advice of the author or create a professional relationship between reader and author.