What is Poisson distribution?
A statistical distribution which we use to specify individual yearly high wind probability based on long period coastal wind and landfall averages. High wind events and landfall occurrences have been observed to closely follow a Poisson distribution. This distribution gives us the probability of 1 or more high wind events per year, 2 or more high wind events per year, etc. Note that the individual year probability of 1 or more high wind events making landfall is always smaller than the long period statistical average. Although there were 73 intense (Cat. 3-4-5) hurricanes to hit the US in the 20th Century these occurred in only 52 years. Some years had two or more intense landfalling hurricanes.
