Posted on 10/19/2005 12:26:46 PM PDT by HHKrepublican_2
Hurricane Wilma, which has swelled into a dangerous Category Five storm, is the strongest hurricane ever recorded, the US National Hurricane Center says.
It says the storm's barometric pressure - a measure of its strength - was the lowest on record in the Atlantic basin.
Its winds of near 175mph (280km/h) and heavy rains are threatening Cuba, Mexico and the Cayman Islands.
At least 11 people in have been killed in Haiti by floods and landslides associated with Wilma.
Forecasters say the hurricane presents a "significant threat" to Florida, which it is expected to hit this weekend.
Officials in the vulnerable Florida Keys island chain have ordered visitors and non-residents to leave.
(Excerpt) Read more at news.bbc.co.uk ...
You can bet there'll be the obligatory surfer. Surf Wilma!
this alarmist stuff about this storm is tiresome...the storm is 3+ days out and cat 5 storms do NOT sustain that level that long.
Beyond that, cat 3 or lower looks very reasonable based on the forcasts I am reading, but this should not be an andrew.
If it has to hit the US, LA might be better as it should save money in the long run.
================================================
I'll see what I can do.
Oil prices just went up 25% on your remark. ;~)
Dont 4get it is George Bush's fault
Agree. A meteorologist on Fox puts it a Cat 3 by the time it gets to Fl.
"You can bet there'll be the obligatory surfer. Surf Wilma!"
There's not much surfing on the gulf coast of Florida... Every year for 10 years I've gone to either the East coast of Florida or Savannah to surf/photograph/experience a hurricane. I never feel closer to God than when I feel the power of nature.
It's kind of ironic that in the year of the hurricane, there hasn't been a good storm in my range except one little one that formed quickly mid week and was inland before I could get down there.
Sadly I think there will be more to come.
You have been warned!
I know a guy who broke his arm surfing one of those hurricanes last year
>>
Every year for 10 years I've gone to either the East coast of Florida or Savannah to surf/photograph/experience a hurricane.
<<
We don't get real hurricanes down here in Savannah; the Gulf Stream is our friend and pushes storms up to North Carolina. But if we ever do get anything interesting, come on down and I'll buy you lunch.
"I know a guy who broke his arm surfing one of those hurricanes last year"
The power is amazing. We follow the weather channel people - they know all the strongest built hotels. I remember one that just hung off the coast of Savannah (which hasn't had a direct hit in 100 years).
This storm never actually made land but it was all we could to sit in the surf one foot deep. Its hard to believe water can contain that much energy.
"We don't get real hurricanes down here in Savannah; the Gulf Stream is our friend and pushes storms up to North Carolina. But if we ever do get anything interesting, come on down and I'll buy you lunch."
I'd like that.... not being suicidal, Tybee is my favorite viewing spot. We stay a couple of floors up at the Ocean Plaza. My only concern is that the road leading to Tybee feels awfully vulnerable.
Is that you, Karl?
I'm in Orlando now for a convention and fly out tomorrow night thank God...
"Sadly I think there will be more to come."
No way, gondramB! We're at the end of the alphabet--season's done, no more names to give out.
;)
Thank God it's weakening already. NWS just said it's winds are down to 165. Still strong, but not 185. If it's a Cat 2 or weak 3 when it hits Florida, it won't be as bad as Katrina or Rita. Hopefully the cold front moves fast, and swings straight Southwest so the eye passes Southwest of the Keys, but it doesn't look like it will swing that far to the west unfortunately. Hopefully it will though.
This season has been awesome for surfing on the Texas Gulf Coast to say the least. Arlene, Cindy, Dennis, Katrina, Rita, and others have sent magnificent groundswell our way. Wilma shouldn't be any different. Unfortunately, some folks have to deal with the death and destruction but Rita certainly was a big wake up call.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.