Hurricane Wilma - Storm Upgraded

[Buzz Mills]

Charlotte/Sarasota area is started getting rain earlier today and a bit of wind now and again, but nothing too severe as of yet. We're keeping our eyes open on weather reports and watching out for tornadoes.

The outer edges of Wilma sre just beginning to cross the coast.

 

[reportertype]

Just took the dogs out, still no wind. However, Tampa news reports that our area could see hurricane-force winds. They've now opened shelters for people in low-lying areas and mobile homes. Everyone's battening down. I hope everybody still in the Keys and Naples area are OK.

 

[Buzz Mills]

Just took the dogs out, still no wind. However, Tampa news reports that our area could see hurricane-force winds. They've now opened shelters for people in low-lying areas and mobile homes. Everyone's battening down. I hope everybody still in the Keys and Naples area are OK.

The people in the Keys who chose to stay are playing Russsian Roulette. They are on the right hand side of the eye, and they'll get the worst brunt that Wilma has to offer--it appears the constant wind speed will be 120mph., with higher gusts, and probably a high surge. I can see them not wanting to leave, but sometimes it pays to be afraid of the unknown.

 

[reportertype]

Yeah, I'm glad I'm on the northern side of the eye, which forecasters have been saying is huge. Apparently, this doesn't affect the strength of the storm, just something to note. I saw something about the last huge hurricane to hit the Keys, sometime in the 30s, I think. Locals who tried to ride that out didn't fare well at all. Homes weren't as sturdy then, of course, and I believe it was a more intense storm. I saw some interviews with Keys residents who planned to ride out the storm on their boats. Now, there's no way I would attempt that.

 

[Sassygerl]

All WSer's in the path of this storm take cover and take care!!!!!!!

 

[Sassygerl]

All those in the path of this storm please check in here!!!!! I'm praying everyone is safe!!!! Let us know what winds, rains, etc. you are having.......

 

[Casshew]

Godspeed, everyone in the path of Wilma :blowkiss:

 

[Buzz Mills]

Yeah, I'm glad I'm on the northern side of the eye, which forecasters have been saying is huge. Apparently, this doesn't affect the strength of the storm, just something to note. I saw something about the last huge hurricane to hit the Keys, sometime in the 30s, I think. Locals who tried to ride that out didn't fare well at all. Homes weren't as sturdy then, of course, and I believe it was a more intense storm. I saw some interviews with Keys residents who planned to ride out the storm on their boats. Now, there's no way I would attempt that.

One "idiot" in the Keys said the two great loves in his life were his boat, and his wife, and he wasn't going to let anything happen to either of them. He, and his wife, were going to ride it out on their boat at the dock. She might want to divorce him if she survives Wilma. Good griref, insanity abounds.

The Great Hurricane of 1935:

Rank Hurricane Year Categor (at landfall) Minimum Pressure (mb) Minimum Pressure (in)
1 Unnamed (FL Keys) 1935 Category 5 Hurricane 892mb 26.35

 

[Dark Knight]

Strengthening Wilma Speeds Toward Florida By DAVID ROYSE, Associated Press Writer


Rain pounded Key West late Sunday as Hurricane Wilma accelerated toward storm-weary Florida, threatening residents with 115-mph winds, tornadoes and a surge of seawater that could flood the Keys and the state's southwest coast.

The Category 3 hurricane was expected to make landfall before dawn Monday in the state's southwest corner, likely near Naples and Marco Island, National Hurricane Center Director Max Mayfield said.

The fast-moving storm was then forecast to slice northeast across the state at up to 25 mph.

Already Sunday, tornadoes spun off from the massive storm system had damaged a restaurant in Cocoa Beach and an orchid nursery on Merritt Island, near Kennedy Space Center.

"I cannot emphasize enough to the folks that live in the Florida Keys: A hurricane is coming," Gov. Jeb Bush told state residents Sunday afternoon.

The entire southern Florida peninsula has been under a hurricane warning since Saturday, and an estimated 160,000 residents were told to evacuate, but many in the low-lying Keys island chain stayed.

"They're going to be in deep trouble," warned Billy Wagner, Monroe County emergency management director.

Rest of the story: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20051024/ap_on_re_us/hurricane_wilma&printer=1

 

[reportertype]

1935 is the storm I was thinking of. I believe you about the craziness: Staying on a boat, even during a Cat 1 hurricane isn't a good idea. For instance, Charley last year moved up a category just before it hit. Any storm could do the same. That would be way too scary for me.

 

[redeskimo]

I told her to leave, but....
Her in-laws live on the beach there in Naples, on the 14th floor of an oceanfront condo. She and her soon to be ex-husband are staying at their house 4 miles inland. I can't believe it. She just flew back to her house today, and said the Ft. Myers airport was emptying. She didn't even have to pay for her parking! Nobody was there to take her $. That was around 1:30 this afternoon. They have hurricane shutters, those huge gallons of water, and a generator. Still...I would have stayed in Chicago. Not much to rush back for, since the a**hole BIL can't wait for the divorce. I wouldn't want to stay in the same house, but for tax reasons, they won't finalize until the first of the new year. At least she has charged her cell phone. I, myself rode out Opal. It was scary. Never again!

I know just how you are feeling Shower singer My sister is staying in Naples too , because of her animals , she wont leave them , she's on Vanderbilt . Lets just hope and pray for everyone there , and for everyone in the path of this storm ,

 

[Buzz Mills]

LARGE SWELLS GENERATED BY WILMA WILL CONTINUE TO AFFECT PORTIONS OF
THE NORTHEASTERN GULF COAST FROM THE FLORIDA KEYS NORTHWARD TODAY.

SOME TORNADOES ARE POSSIBLE OVER PORTIONS OF THE CENTRAL AND
SOUTHERN FLORIDA PENINSULA AND THE FLORIDA KEYS THIS MORNING.

REPEATING THE 1 AM EDT POSITION......24.7 N... 83.3 W. MOVEMENT
TOWARD...NORTHEAST NEAR 18 MPH. MAXIMUM SUSTAINED WINDS...115 MPH.
MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE... 954 MB.

Hurricane Wilma Position Data
http://tinyurl.com/abukq

Hurricane Wilma Three Day Cone
http://tinyurl.com/9xtwr

Satellite Image (have patience)
http://tinyurl.com/6fmsy

Tropical Storm Alpha Three Day Cone
http://tinyurl.com/bfjvl


Category Three Hurricane: (Winds 111-130 mph)

 

[Buzz Mills]

Fewer than 10 percent of the Keys' 78,000 residents evacuated, Monroe County Sheriff Richard Roth said.

"I'm disappointed, but I understand it," Roth said. "They're tired of leaving because of the limited damage they sustained during the last three hurricanes."

Wilma was Florida's eighth hurricane since August 2004 and the fourth evacuation of the Keys this year.

 

[scandi]

It's about 3 or so hours till daybreak in Florida, and I came to find a thread I thought I saw about check in for those Web Sleuthers of ours that are in the affected area. Guess I'll go see if I can find it - thought it would be right here.

Scandi

 

[scandi]

We're all thinking of you, hoping you're holding the person next to you to stay warm and safe.

Sending lots of love your way. You might start dreaming about a visit Oregon! LOL LOL :slap:


Scandi

 

[reportertype]

Fewer than 10 percent of the Keys' 78,000 residents evacuated, Monroe County Sheriff Richard Roth said.

"I'm disappointed, but I understand it," Roth said. "They're tired of leaving because of the limited damage they sustained during the last three hurricanes."

Wilma was Florida's eighth hurricane since August 2004 and the fourth evacuation of the Keys this year.

Wow, that's not very many, especially considering so many people there live on boats. The rain and wind are starting to intensify for us now.

 

[Buzz Mills]

I wonder if all of the posters from Florida evacuated. Hopefully they are all going to stay safe. One good thing is that Wima is going to move very quickly across Florida, as fast as 25 mph; can you imagine if acted like it did on the Yucatan Peninsula, where it was stationary for a period, and was only going 2-3 mph, when it did move. Some of those people had to endure Wilma for 50 hours, or so.

 

[scandi]

Hi Buzz,

I heard the President of Mexico is going there to Cancun. I hope he gives these poor people some help. I say pictures on TV and it is totally devestated.

By the way Buzz, thank you for all the info you have given us to keep the forum abreast of everything going on with the hurricane. And you too Dark Knight. I've learned so much - enough to know that a big fat eye like we have tonight means the hurricane is not losing any strength but rather maintaining.

Gonna hit the sack with Fox on tonight while I try to go to sleep. Take care Buzz.

Scandi

 

[redeskimo]

Wow, that's not very many, especially considering so many people there live on boats. The rain and wind are starting to intensify for us now.

Just keep safe reportertype , hope all those people on the keys are safe too.

 

[redeskimo]

I'm over here praying for all you guy's over there . Wish I could blow this storm away.