Hurricane Wilma Live Thread (As of 2:30 am EDT, Wilma is a Category 5 with 175-mph winds )

Category	Wind Speed	Barometric Pressure	Storm Surge	Damage Potential
Tropical Depression	< 39 mph < 34 kts			Minimal
Tropical Storm	39 - 73 mph 34 - 63 kts			Minimal
Hurricane 1 (Weak)	74 - 95 mph 64 - 82 kts	28.94" or more 980.02 mb or more	4.0' - 5.0' 1.2 m - 1.5 m	Minimal damage to vegetation
Hurricane 2 (Moderate)	96 - 110 mph 83 - 95 kts	28.50" - 28.93" 965.12 mb - 979.68 mb	6.0' - 8.0' 1.8 m - 2.4 m	Moderate damage to houses
Hurricane 3 (Strong)	111 - 130 mph 96 - 112 kts	27.91" - 28.49" 945.14 mb - 964.78 mb	9.0' - 12.0' 2.7 m - 3.7 m	Extensive damage to small buildings
Hurricane 4 (Very strong)	131 - 155 mph 113 - 135 kts	27.17" - 27.90" 920.08 mb - 944.80 mb	13.0' - 18.0' 3.9 m - 5.5 m	Extreme structural damage
Hurricane 5 (Devastating)	Greater than 155 mph Greater than 135 kts	Less than 27.17" Less than 920.08 mb	Greater than 18.0' Greater than 5.5m	Catastrophic building failures possible

To: NautiNurse; jslade

Thanks to both of you!

1,041 posted on 10/19/2005 4:16:27 PM PDT by oldngray

To: NonValueAdded

Let's see, Governor Blank-o or Jeb, which would I choose

It's the difference between adults in charge, and children playing dress up for an afternoon tea party.

1,042 posted on 10/19/2005 4:17:59 PM PDT by NautiNurse

Does anyone know of sites that show traffic on the major evacuation routes for Florida? If we decide on the mad dash northward, it would be good to know which routes to avoid.

1,043 posted on 10/19/2005 4:18:41 PM PDT by Marak

To: buickmackane

That is so totally neat. Thank you!

1,044 posted on 10/19/2005 4:19:02 PM PDT by onyx ((Vicksburg, MS) North is a direction. South is a way of life.)

Here's a link to traffic info and cameras in the Tampa Bay area

http://www.511tampabay.com/

1,045 posted on 10/19/2005 4:21:02 PM PDT by Vermonter

To: NonValueAdded

I came back this week to try to force the Insurance Company to pay for last years storm damage...just in time!!!

I am even borrowing a computer...listening to the radio...no TV at my house yet! No roof, carpets, etc. etc. LOL

When will this end?

My kids are still in a FEMA trailer...I guess we evacuate together!

1,046 posted on 10/19/2005 4:22:36 PM PDT by 3D-JOY

1,047 posted on 10/19/2005 4:24:18 PM PDT by fatima (I close my eyes, only for a moment, and the moment's gone)

Thank you - please pray that she listens to the Lord. :)

1,048 posted on 10/19/2005 4:30:06 PM PDT by lupie

Thanks for the Tampa Bay transit info. I wonder if other areas have similar web pages.

1,049 posted on 10/19/2005 4:30:29 PM PDT by Marak

To: buickmackane; NautiNurse

1,050 posted on 10/19/2005 4:31:55 PM PDT by RDTF

lupie,I just finished my prayer with your ping.I prayed for your intentions for your Mom.:)

1,051 posted on 10/19/2005 4:33:29 PM PDT by fatima (I close my eyes, only for a moment, and the moment's gone)

Hurricane Wilma Intermediate Advisory Number 18a
Statement as of 8:00 PM EDT on October 19, 2005

 
...Wilma continues west-northwestward toward the Yucatan as a
potentially catastrophic category five hurricane...

 
a Hurricane Warning remains in effect from San Felipe to Tulum on
the Yucatan Peninsula...including Cozumel and the nearby islands.
A Hurricane Warning is also in effect for Swan Island.

 

A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect from south of Tulum to
Chetumal Mexico...and for Belize from the border with Mexico
southward to Belize City.

 
A Hurricane Watch remains in effect for the East Coast of the
Yucatan Peninsula from south of Tulum to Punta gruesa.

 
A Hurricane Watch remains in effect in Cuba for the provinces of
Matanzas westward through Pinar del Rio...and for the Isle of
Youth.

 
A Tropical Storm Warning remains in effect for Honduras from the
Honduras/Nicaragua border westward to Cabo camaron.

 
All interests in the Florida Keys and the Florida Peninsula should
closely monitor the progress of extremely dangerous Hurricane Wilma.

 
A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected
within the warning area...generally within the next 24 hours.
Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to
completion.  A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are
possible within the watch area...generally within 36 hours.

 
For storm information specific to your area...including possible
inland watches and warnings...please monitor products issued
by your local weather office.

 
At 8 PM EDT...0000z...the center of Hurricane Wilma was located near
latitude 17.9 north... longitude 83.9 west or about 270 miles...
435 km... southeast of Cozumel Mexico.

 
Wilma is moving toward the west-northwest near  7 mph...11
km/hr...with some wobbles.  A turn to the northwest is expected
over the next 24 hours.

 
Maximum sustained winds are near 160 mph...260 km/hr...with higher
gusts. Wilma is a category five hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson
scale. Fluctuations in intensity are common in hurricanes of this
intensity...and are likely during the next 24 hours.

 
Hurricane force winds extend outward up to  60 miles... 95 km...
from the center...and tropical storm force winds extend outward up
to 230 miles...370 km.

 
The estimated minimum central pressure is  892 mb...26.34 inches.

 
Wilma is expected to produce storm total accumulations of 10 to 15
inches...with local amounts near 25 inches in mountainous terrain
across Cuba through Friday.  Additional rainfall accumulations of 5
to 10 inches...with isolated amounts of 15 inches...are possible
across the Cayman Islands...Swan Island...and Jamaica through
Thursday.  Storm total accumulations of 4 to 8 inches...with
isolated amounts of 10 to 12 inches...are possible from Honduras
northward to the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico through Thursday.

 
If the center of Wilma makes landfall on the Yucatan Peninsula...
coastal storm surge flooding of 7-10 feet above normal tide
levels...along with large and dangerous battering waves...can be
expected near and to the north of the center.

 
Repeating the 8 PM EDT position...17.9 N... 83.9 W.  Movement
toward...west-northwest near  7 mph.  Maximum sustained
winds...160 mph.  Minimum central pressure... 892 mb.

 
The next advisory will be issued by the National
Hurricane Center at 11 PM EDT.

 
Forecaster Beven

1,052 posted on 10/19/2005 4:43:11 PM PDT by NautiNurse

Here is a link for traffic polling on Florida highways. It should help determine which routes to avoid if evacuation is neccessary.

http://www3.dot.state.fl.us/trafficinformation/

1,053 posted on 10/19/2005 4:43:57 PM PDT by Marak

To: don-o; NautiNurse

No, it is from this website:

http://hurricane.methaz.org/hurapak/

You can map out quite a few interesting things there. Scroll to where it says AAL242005 (WILMA) with a base map of the storm forecast. Click the button that says 'click to start interactive map.' There a whole bunch of different maps you can pull up. Under 'Storm Track and Forecast' click All Computer Models. You can put other things on the map, but I made all the other categories show none (except for the base map layer). It's a neat page, lots can be seen there.

1,054 posted on 10/19/2005 5:01:42 PM PDT by nwctwx (Everything I need to know, I learned on the Threat Matrix)

Yikes, L. I wasn't even thinking about your mom down there. I hope you're able to talk her into moving out of the area. K's bro and family are in Tampa and he can't leave - works for CentCom.

1,055 posted on 10/19/2005 5:06:58 PM PDT by agrace (Where were you when I founded the earth? Tell me if you know so much. Job 38:4)

Great info - thanks!

1,056 posted on 10/19/2005 5:10:28 PM PDT by NautiNurse

That's so cool! First time I have seen that one. Thanks.

1,057 posted on 10/19/2005 5:14:14 PM PDT by RDTF

Does it appear now to be leaving FL alone, Ian?

1,058 posted on 10/19/2005 5:14:46 PM PDT by STARWISE (Able Danger: DISABLED??)

My brother looked at some spaghetti models on line and a blue spaghetti line was right over their house. I don't know how he did that but just imagine! I got all my supplies today, Oreo cookies, candy, pringles, etc. and I filled up the tank. I also bought canned goods but I'd rather write about the Oreos in my hurricane plan. Double Stuff.

1,059 posted on 10/19/2005 5:15:44 PM PDT by floriduh voter (www.tg2006.com Tom Gallagher (R) for Fla Governor (Fla's Only Pro-Life Candidate))

To: NautiNurse; RDTF

No problem, I guess I should have shared that one before the W storm. ;-)

Here are the more reliable models, 18z GFDL (Orange) brings her into Rhode Island now.

1,060 posted on 10/19/2005 5:16:46 PM PDT by nwctwx (Everything I need to know, I learned on the Threat Matrix)

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