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The image to the right links to a movie showing water vapor over the Gulf of Mexico
The Wilma Diary
October 26, 2005
The State of Florida issued its 20th Hurricane Wilma Situation Report (PDF). From the Report

Disaster Recovery Centers Sites

DRC #5 (Lee)

Bonita Springs Community Center

10/26/05 (open)

DRC # 4 Collier)

Everglades City Community Center

10/26/05 (open)

DRC #3 (Monroe)

San Pedro Church (Plantation Key)

DRC # 2 (Marathon)

San Pablo Church (Marathon)

DRC # 1 (Monroe)

Key West


The State of Florida issued its 19th Hurricane Wilma Situation Report (DOC).
OCHA Situation Report No. 7 Hurricane Wilma - The Caribbean
The State of Florida issued its 18th Hurricane Wilma Situation Report (PDF). From the Report:
Power Restoration:

POWER RESTORATION

County

Number without Electricity

Percent Without Electricity

Brevard

79,502

29%

Broward

862,824

98%

Charlotte

9,222

10%

Collier

198,014

96%

Dade

972,925

99%

Desoto

4,900

32%

Glades

7,533

100%

Highlands

11,605

20%

Indian River

41,650

53%

Lee

267,903

77%

TOTAL

3,142,430

34%

 
October 25, 2005
The State of Florida has just issued its 17th Hurricane Wilma Situation Report (PDF). From the Report:
Fatalities and Injuries—Currently there are 7 confirmed fatalities: Collier (2), St. Johns (1), Miami-Dade (2), and Broward (2). There is 1 injury in Indian River County.
The State of Florida has just issued its 16th Hurricane Wilma Situation Report (PDF).
Power Outages: Currently there are 3,251,227 residents without power due to damages caused by Hurricane Wilma. (as of 10/25/05 @ 0730hrs)
OCHA Situation Report No. 6  Caribbean: Hurricane Wilma
Although Wilma is contributing to the storm now affecting the northeast United States the National Hurricane Center is not reporting on the affects of Hurricane Wilma in this regard.
October 25, 2005 The State of Florida has issued its 15th Hurricane Rita Situation Report  Section of this report are below:
Currently there are 61 shelters open with 8,207 evacuees with 1,774 Special Needs evacuees. (10/25/05 @ 0730 hours).)
Boil water notices have been issued for the following: Collier, Broward, Monroe and Palm Beach.
Currently there are 3 confirmed fatalities: Collier (2) and St. Johns (1).
Currently there are 3,251,227 residents without power due to damages caused by Hurricane Wilma. (as of 10/25/05 @ 0730hrs)
Several counties have issued curfews: Palm Beach (7:00pm-5:00am), Martin (7:00pm-7:00am), Glades (Dusk to Dawn), Monroe county (11:00PM -7:00AM), Brevard (Dusk to Dawn), St. Lucie (7:00pm- 7:00am), Broward (7:00am-7:00pm), Collier (10:00pm- 6:00am), Hendry (6:00pm- 6:00am), Indian River (6:00pm-8:00am).

County

Damage Reports

Brevard

Max Brewer Crossway Bridge closed between Titusville and Playlinda Bch due to possible structural damage from boat impact.

Broward

EOC roof leaks/critical facilities on generator /structural damage to school bd. Corp./numerous trees down and roads blocked/ Watermain break. Roof damages/ 800 mobile homes severly impacted or destroyed/Roads blocked/

DeSoto

Water intrusion in buildings

Charlotte

Court house has significant damage/SR31 flooded 4 miles N of Lee County line

Glades

Jail House and Court House has significant Roof Damage/roof lost on EMS Station in Morhaven/ EOC on Generator

Hardee

Hendry

EOC Lost Power and Generator Failed/Normal Debris and Damage,

US-27 blocked in Clewiston due to debris & water

Highlands

US-98 (SR721) flooded, tree in WB lane

Lake

Indian River

EOC Comm Tower destroyed - fell onto roof, moving to IRC Sheriff's Office. New Temp Phone # 772-569-2338

Lee

Lehigh Regional Hospital lost part of roof windows and water entering bldg / South Trail Fire Station lost par

Widespread Outages /148K without Power/ EOC and 2 Shelters on Generator Powert of roof/,

SR31 18600 blk. Flooded / SR78 E. of I-75 flooded

Manatee

Marion

Martin

North Hospital on Gen Power/Downed Power Lines/ EOC on Generator Power / Emergency Vehicle Storage Bldg. in Indiantown missing roof / 80% lift stations inop./Stuart lift station are non functional / 15 roads blocked by debris

Miami-Dade

Monroe

Marathon under 4-5 Feet of storm tide/Key West Public Safety Bldg inaccessible due too high water/Marathon AP usable - no Nav Aids/ KW airport not operable/ Mariners and Fishermans Hospitals on Gen Power/ Lower Keys Hospital not accessible/Storm Tide washing over US-1 @ 113mm to 115mm and 48mm to 59mm/ US-1 Passable at Marathon/ US1 under water from Summerland to Key West/ No southbound entry to the keys/Coppit and Big Pine Key debris and water on US1/. Low Water pressure due to damage to aguaduct at 7 Mile bridge/water main break at Key West. Damage Assessment underway/ 60% city is flooded in Key West/

Palm Beach

UPS only - power switch failed/ 2 shelters w/out elect/ 2 water mains broken/Heavy road debris and non working traffic signals/washout sinkhole on I-95right side northbound lane/ 89 lift stations lost power/ north SCADA system out of service

Seminole Tribe

Hollywood Reservation needs water.

St. Lucie

85% + power outages(FPL has 122k out & Ft. Pierce Utilities has 24k out)


October 25, 2005 Hurricane Wilma is moving north at near 47 mph and its maximum sustained winds are at 125 mph.  Wilma is expected to pass a few hundred miles southeast and east of the North Carolina Outer Banks Tuesday morning... And possibly reach the Canadian maritimes late Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning.  Although Wilma is not expected to directly affect the United States East Coast... Increasing winds between the hurricane a strong high pressure over the northeastern U.S. are expected to reach gale- and storm force later tonight and Tuesday. In addition... Large ocean swells and possible rip currents will affect portions of the mid-Atlantic and New England coastal areas on Tuesday.
October 24, 2005 The State of Florida has issued its 14th Hurricane Rita Situation report.
October 24, 2005  Hurricane Wilma continues to strengthen.  It is now a strong category 3 hurricane, located about 350 miles south of Cape Hatteras, North Carolina.  Wilma is moving to the northeast at 38 MPH and is expected to increase its speed for the next 24 hours. Areas from Maryland through Pennsylvaina to coastal Maine can expect 3 to 4 inches of rainfall as a result of Wilma injecting moisture into a low approaching from the west.
The State of Florida has obtained a Federal Disaster Declaration (FEMA-1609-DR) for Hurricane Wilma assistance. The Declaration provides assistance as follows by county: Individual Assistance (Assistance to individuals and households): Collier, Lee, and Monroe Counties. Public Assistance (Assistance to state and local governments and certain private nonprofit organizations for the repair or replacement of disaster–damaged facilities) to the following counties: Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Collier, DeSoto, Glades, Hendry, Highlands, Indian River, Lee, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okeechobee, Osceola, Palm Beach, Polk, St. Lucie, and Sarasota for debris removal and emergency protective measures, including Federal Assistance at 75 percent Federal funding. Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (Assistance to state and local governments, and certain private nonprofit organizations for actions taken to prevent or reduce long-term risk to life and property from natural hazards): All counties in the State of Florida are eligible to apply for assistance under the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. The incident period is October 23, 2005 and continuing. Additional designations may be made at a later dater after further evaluation.
October 24, 7 PM At 6:45 PM A temporary roadblock in Florida City, prohibiting access to the Florida Keys from the south Florida mainland, due to Hurricane Wilma ended Monday afternoon the Monroe County Sheriff's Office said. For the complete release see out Discussion Board.
October 24, 2005 At 5 PM EDT Hurricane Wilma remains a category 3 hurricane.
October 24, 2005 At 4 PM EDT Hurricane Wilma was located 200 miles northeast of West Palm Beach, Florida.
October 24, 2005 The State of Florida has issued its 13th Hurricane Wilma Situation Report (PDF).  Slections from the report can be found below:
Boil water notices have been issued for the following cities: Pompano Beach, Plantation, and Tamarac.
Outages: Currently there are 3,149,479 residents without power due to damages caused by Hurricane Wilma.
The following counties have issued curfew orders: Monroe county (Key West) 7:00PM -7:00AM, Lee County (Bonita Springs and Sanibel) 9:00PM to 9:00AM and Highlands (2:00AM-5:00PM), Brevard (Dusk to 5pm)..

County

EOC Level

LSE

Evacuations

Shelters

Government & School Closings

Area 7

Monroe

Full

10/19/05

Mandatory evacuation of all mobile homes

Hospitals & Government offices & Schools closed 10/24/05

Miami-Dade

Full

10/22/05

Mandatory mobile home and parks, low lying flood prone areas on 10/23/05

6 shelters open with 521 evacuees

Broward

Full

10/22/05

Mandatory mobile home and parks 10/23/04

10 shelters open with 590 evacuees

Schools closed 10/24/05, significant government closed today,damages to court house

Palm Beach

Level1

Evacuation for mobile home and low-lying and substandard areas

17 shelters open with 646 evaucees

County offices & schools closed 10/24/05

Martin

Monitoring

St. Lucie

Level 1

10/22/05

Mandatory evac barrier Islands, mobile and manufactured homes 10/23/05

4 general shelter & 2 Spn open @ 10/23/05

County offices & schools closed 10/24/05, FAU and Indian River Com. College closed on 10/24/05

Ft. Pierce city hall closed 10/24/05, community transit closed 10/24/05

Indian River

Level 1

10/20/05

Mandatory evacuation for mobile homes and voluntary extreme coastal areas and barrier islands @ 8am 10/23/05

4 general shelters will open @ 5:00PM 10/23/05 & 1 SPn open @ 3:00pm

Schools and government offices closed 10/24/05—Bridges—all Barrier Island bridges closes @ 6am 10/24/05

Area 6

Collier

Level 1

10/20/05

Evac for areas west and south of US-41 includes Marco Island, Everglades City, Goodland, Chokolskee, Plantation Island, Isles of Capri Henderson Creek area, all coastal communities north to county line & Naples.

11 shelters open with 3,961 evacuees

Only the Courts closed on 10/24/05

Lee

Level 2

10/19/05

Mandatory evacuations 10/22/05 @ 12:00 for Barrier Islands, Ft. Myers Beach, Sanibel/Captiva Island, Bonita Beach, Pine Island & mh S. of Caloosahatchee River

9 General shelters 1 Spn open with 125 evacuees

School and Government 10/24/05

Hendry

Level 2

10/21/05

Voluntary evacuation on 10/22/05

4 shelters with 155 evacuees

Charlotte

Level 2

Recommended mobile homes, travel trailers on 10/23/05 @ 10:am

3 General shelters open @3Pm

Glades

Level 1

Mandatory mobile homes & low lying areas

7 shelters open with 111 evacuees

Schools and government offices closed 10/24/05

Sarasota

Partial

10/21/05

Evacuation orders lifted at 1pm 10/24/05

6 shelters open with 253 evacuees

Schools and government offices closed 10/24/05

DeSoto

Partial

10/20/05

Recommended Voluntary for mobile homes, vulnerable housing on 10/23/05

Spn shelters open @ 6:Pm general open @3:pm 10/24/05

Schools / county closed 10/24/05

Highlands

Level 2

10/20/05

Voluntary for mobile homes

10/23/04

1 General open with 38 evacuees

Schools and government offices closed 10/24/05

Okeechobee

Level 3

10/21/05

Mandatory evacuation for mobile homes and wood structures 10/23/05

3 shelters open 314 evacuees

Schools and government offices closed 10/24/05

Hardee

Partial

10/21/05

Evacuation 10/24/05 for low lying areas, RV’s and substandard homes

General open @4pm 10/23/05

Schools closed 10/24/05 and county offices open 10/24/05

Manatee

Monitoring

10/20/05

Voluntary evacuation of mobile homes

2 General open with 28 evacuees

Schools, Courts , Government 10/24/05

Area 5

Brevard

Full

Mandatory evacuation mh manufactured homes

5 general and 7 spn open evacuees

Some schools/ government offices and courts closed 10/24/05, Space Coast Area Transit cancelled

Volusia

Level 2

10/23/05

Schools/ government offices Daytona Bch, Bethune Cookman, Stetson Univ, DeBary 10/24/05

Orange

Level 2

Schools closed 10/24/05

Osceola

Partial

10/23/05

3 General & 1 SPn

Schools/ government offices

Lake

Level 2

1 combined

Schools closed 10/24/05

Sumter

Level 2

Voluntary for mobile homes and low lying areas

Open 1 Spn @ 1PM and General @ 6PM

Schools closed 10/24/05

Marion

Schools closed 10/24/05

Lake

Level 2

Schools closed 10/24/05

Polk

Monitoring

10/21/04

Schools closed 10/24/05

 

Area 4

Seminole

Level 1

Voluntary evac of low lying and mh manuf homes @ 2:pm 10/23/05

1 Spn & 2 General w/ pet friendly

Schools and government offices closed 10/24/05

Pinellas

Level 3

Schools closed 10/24/05

Hernando

Level 2

Schools closed 10/24/05

Pasco

Level 3

Hillsborough

Partial

10/20/05

Schools and government offices

closed

Polk

Monitoring

10/21/05

Schools closed 10/24/05


October 24, 2005 At 2:30 PM EDT the center of Hurricane Wilam was located about 125 miles northeast of West Palm Beach Florida.
October 24, 2005 At 2 PM EDT the center of Hurricane Wilma was located about 100 miles northeast of West Palm Beach, Florida
October 24, 2005 1:50 PM Wilma has strengthened to a category 3 hurricane over the Gulf Stream.
October 24, 2005 1 PM EDT  At 1 PM EDT the center of Hurricane Wilma was located about 65 miles nothwest of West Palm Beach, Florida
Residents of the Florida Keys are being advised to stay put for the time being as damage officials began to assess impacts from Hurricane Wilma Monday. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office has established a temporary roadblock on U.S. Highway 1, to prohibit traffic from entering the Keys until the Overseas Highway is cleared of debris. Sections of the Overseas Highway are impassible at this time with flooding and debris. Efforts to remove the debris and open the road are a priority, officials said. Although the core of Wilma passed to the north of the island chain, officials are initially reporting significant impacts to the infrastructure. However, they add, there appears not be major catastrophic structural damage thus far. The main electricity transmission line from Miami to the Keys is activated, said Tim Planer, CEO of the Florida Keys Electric Cooperative. He added that about 5,000 of 31,000 Co-op accounts in the Upper and Middle Keys were restored late Monday morning including Mariner’s Hospital, the Publix in Key Largo and a number of residences. Crews are assessing the extent of damage in the Cooperative customer service area. Officials with Keys Energy, the power company for the Lower Keys and Key West, are investigating faults with the transmission line between the Seven Mile Bridge and Key West. None of Keys Energy’s 28,000 customers had power early Monday afternoon. All Monroe County employees should call their immediate supervisor to report availability of work.
OCHA Situation Report No. 5 The Caribbean: Hurricane Wilma
October 24, 2005 Noon -- At Noon EDT the center of Hurricane Wilma is located about 25 miles northeast of West palm Beach Florida  Wilma is starting to show up on Melborne, Florida Weather Radar

Earlier Entries To the Wilma Diary
Wilma is starting to show up on Melborne, Florida Weather Radar
OCHA Situation Report No. 4 The Caribbean: Hurricane Wilma
Because Wilma is moving slower than anticipated evacuation plans have been delayed by many Florida Counties.
OCHA Situation Report No. 3 Caribbean: Hurricane Wilma


 
Residential Code Guides and Misc. Code Books
Southern Building Code Congress International -- Code Books
International Conference of Building Officials -- Code Books
Building Officials and Code Administrators International -- Code Books
Concrete Masonry And Steel Building Codes
The National Electrical Code Books
ICBO BOCA SBCI Mechanical Code -- Code Books

States
Florida Division of Emergency Management
Georgia Office of Homeland Security - GEMA
South Carolina Emergency Preparedness Division
North Carolina Division of Emergency Management
Virginian Department of Emergency Management
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Delaware Emergency Management
Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency
New Jersey Office of Emergency Management
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Florida: Emergency Information Line: 1-800-342-3557

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Local Governments and Sheriff's Offices


Local Emergency Management Offices

FLORIDA COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT WEB SITES


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Evacuation
FEMA tele-registration – 800.621.3362  (For Individuals)
www.fema.gov
Red Cross call center  - (Clothing, Food & Shelter & Contractors)2-1-1 or 888.317.4567
(in Texas only) or  800 HelpNow or 800 Get-Info (nationwide)
Salvation Army – 800 SAL-ARMY (800.725.2769)
FIND LOVED ONES
 American Red Cross         877.568.3317
www.familylinks.icrc.org or www.redcross.org
Find Family National Call Center           866.326.9393
Lost Children:      Children’s Assessment Center  713.986.3300

Google has a name based search engine that accesses databases of evacuees.
MCI's Registration service of evacuees.
Evacuees register themselves by calling  1-877-HELP-KAT (1-877-435-7528) Locate someone who is missing by calling 1-866-601-FIND (1-866-601-3463).
Scipionus.com - Information Locator Map -- Click on the map to find information posting related to a specific area
Search and Rescue, U.S. Coast Guard Requests for rescues of missing or stranded persons will be entered into the system, viewed by command center and prioritized as received.
National Next of Kin Registry
Salvation Army's Team Emergency Radio Network (SATERN) ActivatedSend an online request to locate missing family and friends. If you can't connect to the site immediately, please try again.
Red Cross Alert for Persons with Emergency Medical ConditionsThe Red Cross is only accepting phone calls to search for missing persons in these emergency circumstances: insulin dependant diabetics, oxygen dependant, dialysis patient, blind, recent heart attack or stroke victims, mobility challenged, broken leg, foot or ankle, or paralyzed.
National Next Of Kin Registry International Emergency Contact System
Missing Persons Board
Wal-Mart's Hurricane Katrina Message Board

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The Rothstein Catalogue!
Federal
Whitehouse -- Katrina In Focus
National Hurricane Center
FEMA
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National Park Service  - Morning Report
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Hurricane Katrina Response; Environmental Protection Agency
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HHS - Disasters and Emergencies: Hurricane Katrina
SAMHSA's Disaster Mental Health Resource Kit  1-800-789-2647 for bilingual information services (1-866-889-2647: TDD) Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST.
National Incident Management Situation Report by NICC -- PFD
Dept. of Transportation -- Highway Information For Areas Affected By Hurricane Katrina - US ...
US Army Corps of Engineers - Katrina Response
US Coast Guard - Storm Watch
Navy Environmental Health Center --Medical Force Protection for Hurricane Katrina Relief  Situation Reports
Hurricane Katrina's Impact on U.S. Energy
Office of Energy Assurance: Hurricane Katrina Situation Reports
Advisory Situation Reports from The HSUS Disaster Center
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International
Assessing progress towards disaster risk reduction within the context of the Hyogo Framework
Reliefweb International
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Recovering From and Coping With Flood Damaged Property after Returning Home
The Disaster Assistance Process for Individuals

Preparedness
A FEMA Guide to Hurricane Preparedness
US Fire Administration -- Hurricane and Tornado Fire Safety Factsheet HSUS and FEMA --
FEMA Agaist the Wind: Protecting Your Home from Hurricane and Wind Damage -- PDF
FEMA After a Flood: The First Steps
Standard Family Disaster Plan. 
Why Talk About Hurricanes?
Community Hurricane Preparedness. 
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Animals
Animals and Emergencies
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Tracking
Hurricane Tracking Chart 
Color Hurricane Tracking Chart 
Map Hurricane Risk in United States 
The Hurricane FAQ
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Mitigation
Hurricane Damage to Residential Structures: Risk and Mitigation
Designing for wind speed map 
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Education Hurricanes - CotF

The Expert's Guide to Disaster Recovery Service Providers

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Flooding
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NOS WATER LEVEL OBSERVATION NETWORK
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nowCOAST: GIS Mapping Portal to Real-Time Environmental Observations and NOAA Forecasts
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Satellites and Radar
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NASA - Hurricane 2005: A Hurricane Resource Site
NASA Hurricane Wilma Gallery
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Track Analysis/Best Track
National Hurricane Center/Tropical Predictions Center Archive of Past Hurricane Seasons
Historical Hurricane Tracks
Continental US Landfall of Hurricanes 1950 - 2004
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Shoreline Change
United States Geological Survey (USGS) Coastal and Marine Geology Program Internet Map Server
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Environmental Affects
NOAA Office of Response and Restoration
Hurricane Wilma Impact Studies
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Health Affects
Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports
For the CDC index on hurricane information (including fact sheets in English and other languages), please see: 
CDC"s Hurricane Index
For CDC information specific to healthcare professionals
Hurricane-Related Documents and Resources Recently Released or Updated
Drive Safely
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/pdf/flyer-drive-safely.pdf
Returning Home After a Hurricane: Be Healthy and Safe
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/returnhome.asp
Cleaning and Sanitizing With Bleach after an Emergency
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/bleach.asp
Varicella Info from NIP
http://www.cdc.gov/nip/diseases/varicella/
Addition of Safe Water Tips to Announcer Read PSAs
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/psa_announcerreads.asp#rita
Disposal of Contaminated Medical Devices – FDA site
http://www.fda.gov/cdrh/emergency/disposal.html
Contact Information for Questions about Clinical Investigations Affected by Hurricane Katrina – FDA site
http://www.fda.gov/cder/emergency/clin_invest.htm  
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning After Hurricane Katrina --- Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi, August--September 2005 – MMWR Article
http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm54e930a1.htm
 
The following documents have been recently UPDATED:
Effects of Hurricane Katrina on Children's Blood Lead Levels
http://www.bt.cdc.gov/disasters/hurricanes/katrina/leadkatrina.asp

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Damage Assessment and Post-Storm Impact Data

National Hurricane Center/Tropical Predictions Center Tropical Cyclone Reports
NWS Service Assessments
NWS Storm Prediction Center Storm Reports
Salvation Army Team Emergency Radio Network
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Other sites
Hurricane Rita - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Houston Chronicle Hurricane Rita Blog
The Hurricane Watch Net
HurricaneTrack.com
Caribbean Hurricane Network
Hurricane Strike! Hurricane Science & Safety For Students
Key West Weather Radar


DURING A HURRICANE WATCH
(A Hurricane Watch is issued when there is a threat of hurricane conditions within 24-36 hours.)
1. Listen to a battery-operated radio or television for hurricane progress reports.
2. Check emergency supply kit.
3. Fuel car.
4. Bring in outdoor objects such as lawn furniture, toys, and garden tools and anchor objects that cannot be brought inside.
5. Secure buildings by closing and boarding up windows. Remove outside antennas.
6. Turn refrigerator and freezer to coldest settings. Open only when absolutely necessary and close quickly.
7. Store drinking water in clean bathtubs, jugs, bottles, and cooking utensils.
8. Store valuables and personal papers in a waterproof container on the highest level of your home. 9. Review evacuation plan.
10. Moor boat securely or move it to a designated safe place. Use rope or chain to secure boat to trailer. Use tiedowns to anchor trailer to the ground or house.
Source: floridadisaster.org/      Florida's Division of Emergency Management
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Clicking the image at the right will open an animation of water vapor over the Gulf of Mexico.

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NWS Forecast



Top Dozen Most Intense Tropical Storms Ever to Form in the Atlantic Basin
(*Measured Barometric Pressure)
STORM PRESSURE DATE
1. Wilma 882mlb (26.05²) 10/19/2005
2. Gilbert 888mlb (26.22²) 9/13/1988
3. Long Key, FL 892mlb (26.34²) 9/3/1935
4. Rita 897mlb (26.49²) 9/21/2005
5. Allen 899mlb (26.55²) 8/7/1980
6. Katrina 902mlb (26.65²) 8/28/2005
7. Mitch 905mlb (26.73²) 10/26/1998
8. Camille 905mlb (26.73²) 8/17/1969
9. Basilan, Puerto Rico 910mlb (26.85²) 9/25/1905
10. Janet 914mlb (26.98²) 9/28/1955
11. SS Phemius, W. Carib. 915mlb (27.01²) 11/5/1932
12. Havana, Cuba 917mlb (27.06²) 10/11/1846

*Prior to 1950 other more intense storms may have formed unrecorded by ships or aircraft

Earlier Entries To the Wilma Diary
October 24, 2005 11 AM At 11 AM EDT 1500z the center of Hurricane Wilma was located near latitude 26.9 north  longitude 80.0 west or about 15 miles (25 km) north-northeast of West Palm Beach Florida. Wilma is moving toward the northeast near 25 mph 41 km/hr.  A continued increase in forward speed is expected during the next 24 hours.
On this track the large eye will emerge off the east coast of the southern Florida Peninsula and move into the Atlantic later today. However Wilma is a large hurricane and the strongest winds in the eyewall extend well away from the center. Persons are urged not to venture outdoors during the relative calm of the eye because winds will soon increase quite rapidly. Maximum sustained winds are near 105 mph (165 km/hr) with higher gusts.
Wilma is a category two hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Wind speeds about one category stronger could be experienced in high rise buildings. Some continued gradual weakening is likely as Wilma emerges off the southern Florida peninsula today. Hurricane force winds extend outward up to 100 miles (160 km) from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 260 miles (415 km). Estimated minimum central pressure is (956 mb) 28.23 inches.
Storm surge should be decreasing along the southwestern Florida coast the lower Florida keys and extreme southeast Florida. Storm surge flooding should begin to decrease in upper Florida Bay later this afternoon through this evening. As Wilma exits Florida storm surge flooding of 2 to 4 feet is still possible along the Palm Beach Martin and St. Lucie shorelines to the north of the storm track. Storm surge of 5 to 8 feet is still possible in lake Okeechobee.
Wilma is expected to produce additional 2 to 4 inch rainfall amounts over portions of central and southern Florida with maximum storm total amounts of 12 inches possible. Western Cuba may receive additional 1 to 3 inch rainfall amounts over localized areas. Rainfall totals of 2 to 4 inches are possible over portions of the northwestern Bahamas.
Tornadoes are possible over portions of the central and southern Florida Peninsula today.
The NHC is forecasting that Wilma will be traveling about 500 miles per day for the next five days, while retaining a circulation in the order of 60 MPH.
The State of Florida has just issued its 12th Hurricane Wilma Situation Report
Currently there are 123 shelters open with 33, 189 evacuees with 2,177 Special Needs evacuees as of 0900 hours.
Currently there are 380,000 residents within the impacted areas without power.
Power Outages: Currently there are 380,000 residents within the impacted areas without power. 
The following counties have issued curfew orders: Monroe county (Key West) 7:00PM -7:00AM, Lee County (Bonita Springs and Sanibel) 9:00PM to 9:00AM and Highlands (2:00AM-5:00PM).
October 24, 2005 9 AM update: At 9 AM the center of Hurricane Wilma was located about 45 miles southeast of West Palm Beach, Florida.
October 24, 2005 8 AM update:   At 8 AM the center of Hurricane Wilma was located about 35 miles east northeast of Everglades City, Florida.
October 24, 2005 7 AM update:  At 7 AM the center of Hurricane Wilma was 10 miles north of Everglades City, Florida.  The National Hurricane Center is advising people not to step outside during the relative calm of the eye of the storm because winds will raise quite quickly once the eye passes. Maximum sustained winds are 120 mph.  Storm surge may reach between 12 and 18 feet. 
October 24, 2005  Hurricane Wilma is now a category 3 hurricane.  Wilma is expected to be a category 2 hurricane when it reaches the east coast of Florida. The west coast of Florida will experience hurricane force winds about two hours prior to landfall.
Wilma is moving toward the northeast near 18 mph 30 km/hr. A continued northeastward motion  with a gradual increase in forward speed  is expected tonight and Monday. On this track the center of Wilma is forecast to make landfall along the southwestern coast of the Florida Peninsula early Monday morning.  However  Wilma is a large hurricane and tropical storm force winds will reach the Florida Peninsula well before the eye makes landfall. The eastern portion of the eyewall  accompanied by the strongest winds  will reach the southwestern coast of Florida about 2 hours before the center of the large eye makes landfall.
Maximum sustained winds are near 115 mph 185 km/hr with higher gusts. Wilma is a category three hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson scale. Little change in strength is expected until landfall occurs  and Wilma will likely make landfall as a category 3 hurricane. Some slow weakening is forecast as Wilma crosses the southern Florida peninsula  but the hurricane is forecast to still be a significant category two hurricane by the time the center reaches the Florida east coast early Monday afternoon.
Hurricane force winds extend outward up to  85 miles 140 km  from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 230 miles 370 km. Sustained tropical storm-force winds are occurring over the Yucatan Channel  western Cuba  and the lower and middle Florida Keys. These winds should reach the southwestern Florida coast by midnight  with hurricane-force winds reaching the lower Keys and southwestern Florida coast before sunrise.
The minimum central pressure recently reported by an Air Force Reserve Unit Hurricane Hunter Aircraft was 958 mb 28.29 inches.
Storm surge flooding of 9 to 17 ft above normal tide levels is possible along the southwest Florida coast near and to the south of where the center of Wilma makes landfall.  Storm surge flooding of 5 to 8 ft above normal is possible in the Florida keys and Florida bay  as well as in Lake Okeechobee.  Storm surge flooding of 2 to 4 feet is possible along the extreme southeastern coast of Florida.

October 23, 2005 10 PM EDT Hurricane Wilma is now 180 miles southwest of Naples, Florida, and approaching category 3 status.
October 23, 2005 --9 PM EDT
The Village of Islamorada has announced that only Coral Shores High School, at mile marker 90 in Islamorada, is open as a refuge of last resort. Other Islamorada-area refuges of last resort announced in an earlier news release are not open.

Monroe County Emergency Management is clarifying the situation regarding the Crowne Plaza La Concha. The La Concha is open and is serving as a refuge of last resort.

Refuges of last resort currently in operations include:
Key West High School, 2100 Flagler Ave., Key West Crowne Plaza La Concha, 430 Duval St., Key West Sugarloaf School, MM (mile marker) 19, Sugarloaf Key Stanley Switlik Elementary School, MM 48, in Marathon Coral Shores High School, MM 90, in Islamorada Sheraton Key Largo Beach Resort, MM 98, in Key Largo Marriot Key Largo Bay Beach Resort, MM 103, in Key Largo

Officials emphasize refuges of last resort will not be manned by law enforcement or officials and there will be no supplies for evacuees.Evacuees must bring water, food bedding, personal items and personal entertainment devices with headphones. No pets are permitted at refuges of last resort.
Residents planning on moving to refuges of last resort must go now.
From State of Florida Situation Report Number 11

County

EOC Level

LSE

Evacuations

Shelters

Government & School Closings

Area 7

Monroe

Level 2

10/19/05

Mandatory evacuation of all mobile homes

Courts closed 10-20-21&24/05

Miami-Dade

Partial

10/22/05

Mandatory mobile home and parks, low lying flood prone areas on 10/23/05

6 shelters open with 521 evacuees

Broward

Level 2

10/22/05

Mandatory mobile home and parks 10/23/04

10 shelters open with 590 evacuees

Schools closed 10/24/05

Palm Beach

Level1

Evacuation for mobile home and low-lying and substandard areas

17 shelters open with 646 evaucees

County offices & schools closed 10/24/05

Martin

Monitoring

St. Lucie

Monitoring

10/22/05

County offices & schools closed 10/24/05

Indian River

Level 1

10/20/05

Mandatory evacuation for mobile homes and voluntary extreme coastal areas and barrier islands @ 8am 10/23/05

4 general shelters will open @ 5:00PM 10/23/05 & 1 SPn open @ 3:00pm

Schools and government offices closed 10/24/05

Area 6

Collier

Level 1

10/20/05

Evac for areas west and south of US-41 includes Marco Island, Everglades City, Goodland, Chokolskee, Plantation Island, Isles of Capri Henderson Creek area, all coastal communities north to county line & Naples.

11 shelters open with 3,961 evacuees

Only the Courts closed on 10/24/05

Lee

Level 2

10/19/05

Mandatory evacuations 10/22/05 @ 12:00 for Barrier Islands, Ft. Myers Beach, Sanibel/Captiva Island, Bonita Beach, Pine Island & mobile homes S. of Caloosahatchee River (expanded)

9 General shelters and 1 Spn open with 125 evacuees

School and Government 10/24/05

Hendry

Level 2

10/21/05

Voluntary evacuation on 10/22/05

4 shelters with 155 evacuees

Charlotte

Level 2

Recommended mobile homes, travel trailers on 10/23/05 @ 10:am

3 General shelters open @3Pm

Glades

Level 1

Mandatory mobile homes & low lying areas

7 shelters open with 111 evacuees

Schools and government offices closed 10/24/05

Sarasota

Partial

10/21/05

Mandatory evacuation for mobile homes & low-lying areas-10/23/05 9PM

6 shelters open with 253 evacuees

Schools and government offices closed 10/24/05

DeSoto

Partial

10/20/05

Recommended Voluntary for mobile homes, vulnerable housing on 10/23/05

Spn shelters open @ 6:Pm general open @3:pm 10/24/05

Schools and county closed 10/24/05

Highlands

Level 2

10/20/05

Voluntary for mobile homes

10/23/04

1 General open with 38 evacuees

Schools and government offices closed 10/24/05

Okeechobee

Level 3

10/21/05

Mandatory evacuation for mobile homes and wood structures 10/23/05

3 shelters open 314 evacuees

Schools and government offices closed 10/24/05

Hardee

Partial

10/21/05

Evacuation 10/24/05 for low lying areas, RV’s and substandard homes

General open @4pm 10/23/05

Schools closed 10/24/05 and county offices open 10/24/05

Manatee

Monitoring

10/20/05

Voluntary evacuation of mobile homes

2 General open with 28 evacuees

Schools and government closed 10/24/05

Area 5

Brevard

Level 2

Mandatory evacuation mobile homes and manufactured homes

11 shelters open with 814 evacuees

Volusia

Level 2

10/23/05

Schools and government offices closed 10/24/05

Orange

Level 2

Schools closed 10/24/05

Osceola

Partial

10/23/05

3 General & 1 SPn

Schools and government offices closed 10/24/05

Lake

Level 2

1 combined

Schools closed 10/24/05

Sumter

Level 2

Voluntary for mobile homes and low lying areas

Open 1 Spn @ 1PM and General @ 6PM

Schools closed 10/24/05

Marion

Schools closed 10/24/05

Lake

Level 2

Schools closed 10/24/05

Seminole

Level 2

1 SPn &1 General and 1 Pet shelter

Schools and government offices closed 10/24/05

Polk

Monitoring

10/21/04

Schools closed 10/24/05

 

Area 4

Pinellas

Level 3

Schools closed 10/24/05

Hernando

Level 2

Schools closed 10/24/05

Pasco

Level 3

Hillsborough

Partial

10/20/05

Schools and government offices Closed


Monroe County Emergency Management Hurricane Wilma Update 10/23/05 6:45 PM
Effective Immediately the Crown Plaza La Concha, 403 Duval Street, Key West is no longer available as a refuge of last resort.
The folowing is the list of refuges of last resort that are still available:
Key West High School on Flagler Avenue in Key West (now open).
Sugarloaf School at mile marker 19 will open at 5 p.m. today.
Stanley Switlik School in Marathon will open at 6 p.m.
Coral Shores High School at 90 mile marker will open at 7 p.m.
The Sheraton Hotel at mile marker 97 (open now).
The Marriott Hotel at mile marker 103 (open now).
Officials emphasize refuges of last resort will not be manned by law enforcement or officials and there will be no supplies for evacuees. Evacuees must bring water, food bedding, personal items and personal entertainment devices with headphones. No pets are permitted at refuges of last resort.

October 23, 2005 5 PM EDT update: Wilma may be a category 3 hurricane at landfall, add to this the forecast that the center of Wilma is expected to be moving at about 28 mph when it makes landfall.  The NHC has increased for a second time today the probable height of Wilma's storm surge at landfall to 9 to 17 feet.   The forecast track for the northeast has been moved to the east, but not withstanding this forecast, the Hydrometeorological Prediction Center is forecasting over 4 inches of rainfall for the eastern half of Massachusetts, Rhode Island and southeast New Hampshire.
October 23, 2005 1 PM EDT  Wilma is now a category 2 hurricane and some streagthening is possible before landfall.  In its latest advisory the National Weather Service has increased its forecast of storm surge (from 8 to 13 feet) to 9 to 15 feet where Wilma makes landfall.  All other aspects of the forecast remain essentially the same.  The table below is a portion of a situation report (PDF Format) issued by the State of Florida at around 1 PM

County

EOC Level

LSE

Evacuations

Shelters

Government & School Closings

Area 7

Monroe

Level 2

10/19/05

Mandatory evacuation of all mobile homes

Courts closed 10-20-21&24/05

Miami-Dade

Partial

10/22/05

Mandatory mobile home and parks, low lying flood prone areas on 10/23/05

2 SPN open 10/23/051

1 General & 1 Pet friendly

Broward

Level 2

10/22/05

Mandatory mobile home and parks 10/23/04

Schools closed 10/24/05

Palm Beach

Level1

Evacuation for mobile home and low-lying and substandard areas

1 general open

County offices & schools closed 10/24/05

Martin

Monitoring

St. Lucie

Monitoring

10/22/05

County offices & schools closed 10/24/05

Indian River

Level 1

10/20/05

Mandatory evacuation for mobile homes and voluntary extreme coastal areas and barrier islands @ 8am 10/23/05

4 general shelters will open @ 5:00PM 10/23/05 & 1 SPn open @ 3:00pm

Schools and government offices closed 10/24/05

Area 6

Collier

Level 1

10/20/05

Evac for areas west and south of US-41 includes Marco Island, Everglades City, Goodland, Chokolskee, Plantation Island, Isles of Capri Henderson Creek area, all coastal communities north to county line & Naples.

9 shelters open

Only the Courts closed on 10/24/05

Lee

Level 2

10/19/05

Mandatory evacuations 10/22/05 @ 12:00 for Barrier Islands, Ft. Myers Beach, Sanibel/Captiva Island, Bonita Beach, Pine Island & mobile homes S. of Caloosahatchee River (expanded)