Hurricane Wilma
Hurricane Wilma was the most intense tropical cyclone ever recorded in the Atlantic basin, and the second-most intense tropical cyclone recorded in the Western Hemisphere, after Hurricane Patricia in 2015. Part of the record-breaking 2005 Atlantic hurricane season, which included three of the ten most intense Atlantic hurricanes in terms of barometric pressure (along with #4 Rita and #7 Katrina), Wilma was the twenty-second storm, thirteenth hurricane, sixth major hurricane,[nb 1] fourth Category 5 hurricane, and the second-most destructive hurricane of the 2005 season. Its origins came from a tropical depression that formed in the Caribbean Sea near Jamaica on October 15, headed westward, and intensified into a tropical storm two days later, which abruptly turned southward and was named Wilma. Wilma continued to strengthen, and eventually became a hurricane on October 18. Shortly thereafter, explosive intensification occurred, and in only 24 hours, Wilma became a Category 5 hurricane with wind speeds of 185 mph (298 km/h).
Not to be confused with Hurricane Willa.Meteorological history
October 15, 2005
October 26, 2005
October 27, 2005
185 mph (295 km/h)
882 mbar (hPa); 26.05 inHg
(Record low in the Atlantic basin)
52 total
$26.5 billion (2005 USD)
- Jamaica
- Puerto Rico
- Cuba
- Cayman Islands
- Central America
- Mexico (especially Quintana Roo)
- United States (especially Florida)
- Bahamas
- Bermuda
- Nova Scotia
- Saint Pierre and Miquelon
Wilma's intensity slowly leveled off after becoming a Category 5 hurricane, and winds had decreased to 150 mph (240 km/h) before it reached the Yucatán Peninsula on October 20 and 21. After crossing the Yucatán, Wilma emerged into the Gulf of Mexico as a Category 2 hurricane. As it began accelerating to the northeast, gradual re-intensification occurred, and the hurricane was upgraded to Category 3 status on October 24. Shortly thereafter, Wilma made landfall in Cape Romano, Florida, with winds of 120 mph (190 km/h). As Wilma was crossing Florida, it briefly weakened back to a Category 2 hurricane, but again re-intensified as it reached the Atlantic Ocean. The hurricane intensified into a Category 3 hurricane for the last time, before weakening while accelerating northeastward. By October 26, Wilma transitioned into an extratropical cyclone southeast of Nova Scotia.
Wilma made several landfalls, with the most destructive effects felt in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico, Cuba, and the U.S. state of Florida. At least 52 deaths were reported and damage totaled to $26.5 billion,[nb 2] most of which occurred in the United States.
Records
At 18:01 UTC on October 19, a Hurricane Hunters dropsonde measured a barometric pressure of 884 mbar (26.1 inHg) in the eye of Wilma, along with sustained winds of 23 mph (37 km/h); the wind value suggested that the central pressure was slightly lower, estimated at 882 mbar (26.0 inHg). This is the lowest central pressure on record for any Atlantic hurricane,[2] breaking the previous record of 888 mbar (26.2 inHg) set by Hurricane Gilbert in 1988.[4] Wilma's intensification rate broke all records in the basin, with a 24–hour pressure drop of 97 mbar (2.9 inHg); this also broke the record set by Gilbert. At the hurricane's peak intensity, the Hurricane Hunters estimated the eye of Wilma contracted to a record minimum diameter of 2.3 mi (3.7 km).[2]
While striking Mexico, it dropped torrential rainfall on the offshore Isla Mujeres. Over 24 hours, a rain gauge recorded 1,633.98 mm (64.330 in) of precipitation, which set a record in Mexico for the nation's highest 24–hour rainfall total, as well as the highest 24 hour rainfall total in the western hemisphere.[5][6]
When Tropical Storm Wilma formed on October 17,[2] it became the 21st named storm of 2005 season, which broke record for most tropical cyclones in a single season, 20, set in 1933.[7] An additional unnamed subtropical storm was added to 2005’s tally after the season was over,[8] making Wilma actually the 22nd storm of the season. With Wilma, an entire alphabetic 21 name list was fully used up for the first time, necessitating the naming of subsequent storms in that season by letters of the greek alphabet. No season would again have 22 storms or make use of the Greek alphabet for storm names until 2020.[9]
Aftermath
Mexico
In Mexico, residents and tourists staying in shelters faced food shortages in Wilma's immediate aftermath.[48] There were 10 community kitchens set up across Cancún, each capable of feeding 1,500 people every day.[90] Local and federal troops quelled looting and rioting in Cancún.[46][91] While Cancún's airport was closed to the public, stranded visitors filled taxis and buses to Mérida, Yucatán. Located 320 km (200 mi) from Cancún, Mérida was the region's closest functioning airport.[92] Most hotels in Cozumel, Isla Mujeres, and the Riviera Maya were largely reopened by early January 2006.[93] The resorts in Cancún took longer to reopen, but most were operational by Wilma's one-year anniversary.[94]
On November 28, Mexico declared a disaster area for 9 of Quintana Roo's 11 municipalities – Benito Juárez, Cozumel, Felipe Carrillo Puerto, Isla Mujeres, Lázaro Cárdenas, Othon P. Blanco, and Solidaridad.[40] Mexico's development bank – Nacional Financiera – provided financial assistance for businesses affected by Wilma and Stan through a $400 million fund (MXN, US$38 million). Quintana Roo's state government began a temporary work program for residents whose jobs were impacted by the hurricane.[90] The Mexican Red Cross provided food, water, and health care to residents affected by the hurricane. The agency also distributed emergency supplies, such as mosquito nets, plastic sheeting, and hygiene supplies.[95][10][50]
Cuba
Within a few days of Wilma's passage by Cuba, workers restored power and water access to impacted residents. The Revolutionary Armed Forces cleared and repaired roads around Havana that were flooded.[15] The capital city was reopened and largely returned to normal within six days of the storm.[96] On October 25, the government of the United States offered emergency assistance to Cuba, which the Cuban government accepted a day later. This acceptance of aid broke from previous practice; many times in the past, including during Hurricane Dennis, the United States offered aid, but the Cuban government declined.[97] The United States provided US$100,000 to non-governmental organizations in the country.[98]