Posted on 10/24/2005 2:18:01 AM PDT by NautiNurse
Category Three Major Hurricane Wilma is barreling toward the Southwest Florida coastline. The storm is packing wind speeds of 125mph, moving NW at 20mph, with an enormous eye 65 miles in diameter. Landfall is anticipated shortly in Collier County between 6:00 and 7:00AM ET.
Storm surge flooding of 9 feet to 17 feet is possible along the coast near and to the south of where Wilma makes landfall. Storm surge of 5 to 8 feet is predicted for the Keys. The storm has spawned tornados throughout the Florida peninsula since yesterday evening.
The following links are self-updating:
Public Advisory Currently published every 3 hours 0500, 0800, 1100 etc. ET
NHC Discussion Published every six hours 0500, 1100, 1700, 2300 ET
Three Day Forecast Track
Five Day Forecast Track
Wilma Forecast Track Archive
Forecast Models
Buoy Data SE Florida
Current Weather Warnings and Watches for Florida
Florida Department of Emergency Management
Images:
Storm Floater IR Loop
Visible Storm Floater Still (only visible during daylight hours)
Color Enhanced Atlantic Loop
Florida Radar/Sat Loop Caution: Broadband users only
Extra Large Miami Radar Broadband only
Extra Large Key West Radar Broadband only
Miami Long Range Radar Loop
Key West Long Range Radar Loop
Miami Radar Still Image w/watches warnings
Melbourne Radar Still Image w/watches warnings
Key West Radar Still Image w/watches warnings
Tampa Bay Radar Still image w/watches warnings
Streaming Video:
WBBH-TV/WZVN-TV Ft. Myers (WMP): http://waterbc.wm.llnwd.net/waterbc_netvideo
WESH-TV/DT Orlando/Daytona Beach (RP): http://mfile.akamai.com/7883/live/reflector:24028.ram
WFTV-TV/DT Orlando (RP): http://mfile.akamai.com/7883/live/reflector:20361.ram
WKMG-TV/DT Orlando (RP): http://mfile.akamai.com/7883/live/reflector:23942.ram
WPBF-TV/DT West Palm Beach (RP): http://mfile.akamai.com/7883/live/reflector:24035.ram
WSVN-TV/DT Miami (WMP): http://216.242.118.140/windowsmedia/asx/wsvn_broadband.asx
WTVJ-TV/DT Miami: http://nbc6.feedroom.com/iframeset.jsp?ord=381015
WPLG-TV/DT Miami (RP): http://mfile.akamai.com/8660/live/reflector:23941.ram
WFOR-TV/DT Miami (WMP): http://wfor.dayport.com/viewer/content/special.php?Art_ID=612&Format_ID=2&BitRate_ID=8&Contract_ID=2&Obj_ID={obj_id}
WTSP-TV/DT St. Petersburg/Tampa (WMP): mms://wmbcast.gannett.speedera.net/wmbcast.gannett/wmbcast_gannett_sep252004_1915_64623
Hurricane City (Real Player) - http://hurricanecity.com/live.ram
ABCNews Now (Real Player) - http://reallive.stream.aol.com/ramgen/redundant/abc/now_hi.rm
Additional Resources:
Pet Friendly Florida Shelter Info
Central Florida Hurricane Center
Hurricane City
CrownWeather.com
| 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 |
Previous Threads:
Hurricane Wilma Live Thread, Part III
Hurricane Wilma Part II
Hurricane Wilma Live Thread
Tropical Storm Wilma
Tropical Depression #24
Not sure where you're at, so I don't know if this applies or not, but it was discussed before landfall.
Rita accelerated before landfall, and when she did, she left behind a ridge of surge. Hours later, trailing winds pushed that ridge into southern Louisiana, west to east in sequence.
Wilma was perking along pretty quick at landfall, definitely accelerating, and may have done something similar.
We haven't heard from Elle Bee since 4:07AM.
HIGH WINDS, HEAVY RAIN & COASTAL FLOODING FORECAST FOR NYC AREA
As the remnants of Hurricane Wilma combine with a developing nor'easter off the Delmarva pennisula, the New York City area will experience high winds, heavy rain and minor coastal flooding through early Wednesday.
The National Weather Service has issued a Wind Advisory for the New York City area through 4 p.m. Tuesday, as well as a Flood Watch through Tuesday night. Northeasterly winds will increase to 25-35 mph, with gusts up to 50 mph. Heavy rain will also affect the city, with localized flooding possible, and minor coastal flooding is likely at high tide on Tuesday and Wednesday.
New Yorkers should exercise caution, as winds may knock down trees and power lines, and heavy rain may create hazardous driving conditions.
OEM encourages residents to heed the following safety tips:
If you are caught outside during high winds, take cover next to a building or under a shelter and watch for flying debris.
Report downed lines to your local utility emergency center and the police. Do not try to free lines or to remove debris yourself. Avoid anything that may be touching downed lines, including vehicles or tree branches. Puddles and even wet or snow-covered ground can conduct electricity in some cases.
Seek high ground quickly if you see or hear rapidly rising water. Do not attempt to cross flowing water that may be more than knee deep.
Never attempt to drive your vehicle through standing water.
For more information about high winds, flooding and other storm hazards, visit OEM's website at NYC.gov/oem. For a free copy of the Ready New York household preparedness guide, visit NYC.gov/readynewyork or call 311.
How'd you fare in this storm?
There are Skywarn groups all over Florida, including this area.
They said that because of debris. trees, power lines etc that they could not get into the park, and that everything is just a jumble from thier vantage point, but they are about 75% sure that the trailer they see standing is my parents.
My stepdad had "storm straps" (whatever they are) installed after last seasons fun and frolic, so it is possible that those may have held the trailer in place.
Fingers are crossed, parents will try and get in tomorrow. They have shored up and sealed my cousins house as good as they can, and are going to bed as they stayed up all night.
Still praying for your Aunt and you too.
That would be some much needed good news! Please keep us informed of updates.
yes I remember that post..he must have lost power shortly after..however 11 pm was still a little early in the storm for the house to be swaying
That was right before her winds maxed out, very similar conditions to what Miami saw. We'll probably hear from Laz (Miami) before Elle Bee, since there are more options to route power into the city than Key West.
No widespread catastrophic structural failure reported in Miami, hopefully they'll be none reported out of the Keys either. It may be a while before we hear anything though, especially if the Highway 1 was cut.
I hope it is your parents home still standing. I live in a mobile home and last yr. went to TN during one storm. We called my sister and she said the news said our park really got creamed. I was prepared for the worst. She physically came over and looked for herself and I had no damage. Take heart. Maybe those straps were like tie downs. Anyway I hope all goes well and they still have their home.
Good deal.
Looks like the extratropical remnants of Wilma will reach Europe at some point early next week.
Well, huh... ain't that some stuff. I know the winds here had to kick up to near 50mph... about 1:30 am. No problems, but got cold as kraut! Had to kick on the heater this morning. Sure hope you get electricity back soon.
I used to work for AT&T long ago. The philosophy back then was the network stayed up at whatever cost
However, all that redundency and gold-plating adds to the cost, and when all the networks are competing on cost, well, there it goes
Everglades City under almost four feet of water
By Daily News Staff
Monday, October 24, 2005
Everglades City, Chokoloskee and Plantation Island emerged from Wilma under almost 4 feet of water early Monday.
Fire officials called in back-up emergency teams to help them locate the estimated 500 to 600 residents who stayed to ride out the storm.
The task at hand was overwhelming for Ochopee Fire District Control Chief Paul Wilson.
"Hopefully they get here because I can't do this by myself," Wilson said.
Wilson said he hadn't found any loss of life yet, but he was particularly concerned about Plantation Island and Chokoloskee because of the amount of mobile homes on those islands.
The latest population estimates put Everglades City at just more than 500 people.
"We haven't been in there deep enough to know about casualties, Wilson said.
Officials blocked reporters from entering the area until they could get more emergency assistance from an incident management team.
http://stormedition.naplesnews.com/news/2005/oct/24/everglades_city_under_four_feet_water/
Naples airport sustains damage in storm
By Daily News staff
Monday, October 24, 2005
Naples Municipal Airport sustained considerable structural damage in the storm.
"All major buildings sustained some type of damage," said Ted Soliday, executive director of the Naples Airport Authority, which manages the airport.
Soliday was unable to assign a dollar estimate to the damage Monday afternoon, but he said the figure will easily reach into the millions.
Most of the visible damage is contained to the hangars, Soliday said.
Of the 350 hangars on the property, 100 or more have sustained some type of damage, he said. One hangar building blew away into a retention pond on the property, but the plane it was sheltering never
budged, he said.
Soliday said anywhere from two to five planes were destroyed and possibly that many were damaged. Four hundred planes are based at the airport yearround, he said.
The commercial terminal building sustained roof damage, a sliding glass door was blown off and there was some damage to the security fencing.
Naples Air Centre, a flight school, had two windows that were blown out and glass was on the floor. Four cats that were inside the building survived.
http://stormedition.naplesnews.com/news/2005/oct/24/naples_airport_sustains_damage_storm/
Hurricane Wilma largely spares Lee County
By By Anne Marie Apollo and Jonathan Foerster, Daily News staff
Monday, October 24, 2005
In Lee County there's Charley and then there's Wilma.
The former left a swath of destruction. The latter swooped through causing largely superficial damages.
While Collier County is reeling from the effects of storm surge and Category 3 strength winds, Lee was mostly spared.
Emergency managers said this morning that the worst-case scenario was avoided. A drive along some of the areas hardest hit by Charley, shows how much more timid Wilma was along Lee's coast.
In the hot August days after Charley, police and National Guard stood patrol on the outskirts of Fort Myers Beach keeping residents out while inspectors gave the island a thorough look. Today, cops barely
glanced as dozens of motorists crossed bridges onto Estero Island.
Still Lee wasn't without trouble.
-- Electricity was out throughout much of the county, as millions of Florida Power and Light customers reported outages.
-- Many mobile home parks took the brunt of hurricane force winds which ripped away metal roofs, lanais, porches and carports.
-- Metal structures collapsed under the pressure. The canopy of a BP gas station on Fort Myers Beach collapsed onto the pumps underneath. An awning fell off the Shell station on Bonita Beach Road and
Old 41 Road injuring bystanders.
-- Roadways were littered with debris from signs to organic waste. A large oak tree fell on Corkscrew Road blocking traffic in both
directions.
http://stormedition.naplesnews.com/news/2005/oct/24/hurricane_wilma_largely_spares_lee_county/
Immokalee woman killed by flying roof
By JOEL MORONEY
JMORONEY@NEWS-PRESS.COM
Published by news-press.com on October 24, 2005
An unidentified woman was killed early this morning,
reportedly when a rooming house collapsed and a piece
of the roof struck her in the head.
A tarp covered what appeared to be the woman’s body
near the collapsed ruins of the building at Esquina
Santos Corner, a collection of rooming house buildings
in downtown Immokalee.
There is heavy damage in the area: pooled water, downed power lines and street signs
and peeled away roofs.
Beatrice Gonzalez, 23, said she roomed with the dead woman. She said everything they
owned was destroyed with the building's collapse.
“I don’t have anything left. It blew away,” she said.
Bystanders said the rooming house rented room for prices that ranged from $7 per day to
$285 per month.
Gonzalez was trying to make it to a next door rooming house where about 85 people
were huddled against the storm.
Lynn Milam, 34, said: “From what I understand, a big chunk of the roof flew off and hit
her in the head.”
http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051024/WEATHER01/51024030/1075
Clewiston takes a huge hit
By THE NEWS-PRESS
Published by news-press.com on October 24, 2005
Clewiston took a major hit from Hurricane Wilma.
Officials report severe structural damage, mainly in the
eastern section of Clewiston, especially in the Hooker’s
Point area.
Hendry Regional Medical Center was evacuated after
the storm.
Hendry County Sheriff’s Office officials have requested
help from neighboring counties such as Highlands and
Lee. Emergency managers have asked for the state
National Guard. A curfew is in effect in Clewiston
beginning at noon today, with no expiration time.
The rest of Hendry County is under a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.
curfew.
A search and rescue team from Jacksonville searched
for residents who may have been trapped or injured at
Clewiston Trailer Park, where mobile homes were
stripped from their chases, leaving piles of debris
without walls.
Hilario Velasquez, 44, had evacuated from his home
Sunday night. He returned today to find his trailer
wrecked, his possessions destroyed.
“I’ve got to call my brother’s family or something.”
Velasquez tried to help a neighbor who wandered the park aimlessly, hands in pockets.
“He’s, like, lost,” Velasquez said.
Another resident, Silvia Simon, 65, rode out the storm huddled in her bathtub with her
husband.
“It started at 5 a.m. The worst was between 11 and 12, while the wind was coming over
this trailer,” she said. “It has been terrible, completely out of this world.”
She said the trailer was pelted with roof parts and other trailer parts throughout the storm.
Asked what she needed, Simon said, “We need electricity. Most people are poor and
need some food.”
http://www.news-press.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051024/WEATHER01/51024032/1075
His house was swaying?
I think I heard that power outages are widespread in little Key West.
Sorry to hear this commish.
A strengthening cat 3 being pushed along as fast as she was can do very significant damage, as I'm sure we will see more of in coming days. Prayers to all affected.
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