I read that Tropical Storm Sandy got downgraded right before landfall to, well, nothing (i.e. Not a Hurricane or Tropical Storm) so that any damage to property would be covered by insurance; had it retained the “Tropical Storm” label then insurance wouldn’t cover damage. In other words, it’s all made up.
They came up with a designation I had never heard of before. “Super Storm”.
Sandy came ashore at Barnegat Light or thereabouts at 70 to 74mph winds at the eye. Tropical Storm but it had been over cold water and the eye was cool ergo not tropical. Winds at the away from the eye clocked somewhat faster on the eadtrrn side ofvthe storm as the storm’s forward movement added to wind speed. As for insurance, most homeowner policies list a deductible for Cat 1 and above but that applies to roof damage. The most egregious Sandy damage was tidal, not covered unless you had flood insurance. This caused the feds to pass appropriations for Sandy funds.