Reading up on hurricanes I saw this on Weather.com about Category 4's :
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Category 4: Catastrophic Damage Will Occur
There is a very high risk of injury or death to people, livestock, and pets due to flying and falling debris. Nearly all pre-1994 mobile homes will be destroyed. A high percentage of newer mobile homes also will be destroyed.
Poorly constructed homes can sustain complete collapse of all walls as well as the loss of the roof structure. Well-built homes also can sustain severe damage with loss of most of the roof structure and/or some exterior walls.
Extensive damage to roof coverings, windows, and doors will occur. Large amounts of windborne debris will be lofted into the air. Windborne debris damage will break most unprotected windows and penetrate some protected windows.
There will be a high percentage of structural damage to the top floors of apartment buildings. Steel frames in older industrial buildings can collapse. There will be a high percentage of collapse to older unreinforced masonry buildings. Most windows will be blown out of high-rise buildings resulting in falling glass, which will pose a threat for days to weeks after the storm.
Nearly all commercial signage, fences, and canopies will be destroyed. Most trees will be snapped or uprooted and power poles downed. Fallen trees and power poles will isolate residential areas. Power outages will last for weeks to possibly months. Long-term water shortages will increase human suffering. Most of the area will be uninhabitable for weeks or months.
Hurricane Charley in 2004 is an example of a hurricane that brought Category 4 winds and impacts to coastal portions of Punta Gorda, Florida with Category 3 conditions experienced elsewhere in the city.
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I've got 3 large trees in my front yard and a massive one behind my house (just off my property). I'm really hoping my house isn't going to get pulverized during this storm. I was planning on heading west but my wife works on the Marine Corps base and she has to stay (essential personnel) so I'll be staying with her on base for the duration. For those who are waffling about taking off I think now is the time. Even the Marines were given evacuation orders today.