Hi, Gary - interesting comment. However, I live in a private airpark and everyone is quite conservative and flys a flag.
Also, someone would have to be quite tall to gain enough leverage to bend it as shown.
Finally, everyone in the airpark knows that I am armed and what would happen to them if they messed with my flag.
Motorman - you're correct. The pole is extruded aluminum with a wall thickness of .043.
Regarding previous storms - when my anemometer was working (battery needs replacing), I measured wind gust of up to 52 MPH and the flag stood tall. This time, not only was the flagpole bent/collapsed, but two 70 pound planters were blown over.
Matt - good point. The other day, a Piper J-3 came by at Mach 1.2.
Steve - TOP NOTCH response! Yes, I have a MAGA sign as well as a MAGA hat. We have seen a few crazy liberals riding around on their unicorns and wearing vagina hats. They were carrying "Not my President" signs so it must be Trump's fault! One liberal got off his unicorn and bent over to pick something up. The unicorn had other ideas - the rider got the point.
Waiting for the next BLOW!
Bob Z.