Hurricane Force Winds without the Rain

My husband and I were awakened this morning to the sounds of siding expanding and contracting with very strong and sustained sounding winds.  We knew from weather forecasts that we were expecting high winds today, but this is ridiculous.

This is only the beginning.  The winds will likely get even stronger.  We've lost some trees, but thankfully nothing from the house (siding, ridge vents, etc.).  Our neighbors inflatable holiday decorations are threating to blow down toward our house.  Already we've seen more trash than we can believe, go flying past our house. 

I don't remember wind storms like this happening before, and I've lived in Northern Virginia my whole life.  This seems to be something that has started happening the past few years.   Totally bizarre!