15mph gusts is not actually that bad. Especially with a 500 or bigger bird. A 450 size will bob up and down in it, but I have flown quite a lot in 15mph straight line wind with the 450. But here in Oklahoma, if you can't fly in the wind, you are never going to fly. So if your helicopter is setup correctly, then I would say give it a go, but do it with caution. Remember, translational lift will be the main factor here. Keep the forward flight into the wind as much as you can and when you go with the wind, prepare to give more collective to keep it in the air.
And most importantly, keep altitude. What is going to hurt the most is the swirling wind coming over a house or trees. If you get above that "dirty air", it's much easier to control.