Maximum sustained wind speeds in hurricanes, are they to be believed? They are usually 15% higher?

The winds in a hurricane are at its strongest right at the eye wall, and begin to lose power the further out you go from the center of the storm. the size of the same storm also plays a role Very large storms will send out hurricane force winds for over fifty miles compared to smaller storms. Andrew and Katrina are prime examples. Andrew was small, and Katrina was large, and each storm has its outer limits for winds that are at hurricane force levels. Remember: Each storm is unique and will not behave the same as the last, though they often do follow some sort of pattern.