FIU Hurricane Simulator On Display In Washington D.C.

WASHINGTON (CBSMiami/AP) — Living in South Florida you've probably seen the damage a hurricane can do to homes and businesses.

Visitors to the National Building Museum in Washington can now get an idea of their destructive power thanks to a new display - Florida International University's 12-fan "Wall of Wind" hurricane simulator.

The "Designing for Disasters" exhibit explores new solutions and historical responses to natural hazards including earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, storm surge, flooding, tsunamis and wildfires.

FIU officials say their simulator can generate wind speeds of Category 5 hurricanes, like Katrina and Andrew.

Museum visitors can experiment with an interactive replica that generates five wind speeds directed at a small-scale residential building.

They can increase the wind speeds and, literally, try to blow the roof off the house.

The exhibit is on display for 15 months.

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