Hurricane Wilma facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Hurricane Wilma

Hurricane Wilma at its strongest on October 19, 2005
Meteorological history
Formed	October 15, 2005
Extratropical	October 26, 2005
Dissipated	October 27, 2005
Category 5 tropical cyclone
1-minute sustained (SSHWS/NWS)
Highest winds	185 mph (295 km/h)
Lowest pressure	882 mbar (hPa); 26.05 inHg (Record low in the Atlantic basin)
Overall effects
Fatalities	52 total
Damage	$26.5 billion (2005 USD)
Areas affected	Jamaica Hispaniola Cuba Cayman Islands Central America Mexico (especially Quintana Roo) East Coast of the United States (mainly in South Florida) Bahamas Bermuda Nova Scotia
Part of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season
History Meteorological history Effects Mexico Florida Other wikis Commons: Wilma images

Hurricane Wilma was an unusually powerful tropical cyclone that formed in October 2005. It became the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic basin. Scientists measure how strong a storm is using barometric pressure. Lower air pressure means a more powerful storm. Wilma reached the lowest air pressure ever seen in the Atlantic Ocean. The giant storm was part of the record-breaking 2005 Atlantic hurricane season. During that active year, Wilma was the twenty-second named storm. It was also the fourth Category 5 storm of that single season. Wilma caused huge impacts in Jamaica, Haiti, Cuba, Mexico, and South Florida.

The giant hurricane developed from a spinning tropical depression in the Caribbean Sea. It grew quickly into a tropical storm on October 17, 2005. Then, it gained power at an unbelievable speed over very warm ocean water. Within just 24 hours, Wilma jumped from a Category 1 hurricane into a terrifying Category 5 monster. Its sustained winds reached an incredible 185 miles per hour. Wilma struck the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico as a massive hurricane. It brought giant waves, heavy rain, and howling winds that lasted for days. Later, Wilma moved into the Gulf of Mexico and sped toward Florida. It made landfall in southwestern Florida near Cape Romano before zooming out into the Atlantic Ocean.

The Life and Path of Hurricane Wilma

In the middle of October 2005, a large weather disturbance formed in the western Caribbean Sea. Warm tropical waters and moist air allowed clouds to gather together. A large low pressure area developed southeast of Jamaica on October 13. Deep storm clouds grew through a process called atmospheric convection. Weather forecasters at the National Hurricane Center watched the system very closely. On October 15, they named it Tropical Depression Twenty-Four. At that time, the system was located about 220 miles east-southeast of Grand Cayman. The warm sea surface temperatures provided lots of thermal energy to fuel the infant storm.

A large high-pressure area over the Gulf of Mexico helped steer the depression slowly. The storm drifted to the southwest and became much better organized. On October 17, wind speeds grew fast enough for it to become a tropical storm. The weather center officially named the growing cyclone Wilma. Because the system was so broad, its early growth took a little time. The surrounding pressure gradient remained quite flat for several hours. However, thunderstorm bands continued to wrap tightly around the storm's center. Atmospheric conditions were almost perfect for rapid development.

On October 18, Wilma made a sharp turn toward the west-northwest. The storm intensified into a full hurricane as winds sped past 74 miles per hour. Then, an astonishing event known as explosive intensification took place. Wilma passed over deep pockets of very warm seawater. Over a period of 30 hours, the barometric pressure plummeted dramatically. It dropped from 982 millibars all the way down to 882 millibars. Winds quickly increased to 185 miles per hour. This made Wilma a raging Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir–Simpson scale.

Wilma's tiny center went through an eyewall replacement cycle on October 20. This natural process happens when a new ring of thunderstorms forms around the eye. The cycle caused the storm to weaken slightly, dropping below Category 5 strength. A weather pattern called a mid-level ridge pushed Wilma toward Mexico. Late on October 21, the hurricane roared ashore on the island of Cozumel in Quintana Roo. Sustained winds at landfall were estimated at 150 miles per hour. A few hours later, Wilma made a second landfall near Puerto Morelos.

Passing over land caused Wilma to slow down and weaken to a Category 2 storm. It finally emerged into the Gulf of Mexico on October 23. A powerful upper-level trough of low pressure picked up the storm. This trough pushed Wilma swiftly toward the northeast at higher speeds. Even though high wind shear blew across the Gulf, Wilma strengthened again into a Category 3 hurricane. The eye passed just northwest of the Florida Keys early on October 24. Wilma made landfall near Cape Romano in Florida with winds of 120 miles per hour.

Wilma raced across southern Florida in only four to five hours. It emerged into the Atlantic Ocean near Jupiter as a Category 2 hurricane. The fast-moving storm briefly strengthened back into a Category 3 storm over the warm ocean. Along the way, Wilma absorbed the moisture of Tropical Storm Alpha. The hurricane then sped past the island of Bermuda on October 25. Cold northern air began to tear the hurricane's warm core apart. Wilma transformed into an extratropical cyclone south of Halifax, Nova Scotia, in Atlantic Canada.

Incredible Records Broken by the Storm

Wilma showing its tiny record-breaking eye

Hurricane Wilma broke several remarkable meteorological records that still fascinate weather scientists today. Air Force hurricane hunter planes flew directly into the storm to drop measurement instruments called a dropsonde. On October 19, an instrument recorded a central barometric pressure of 882 millibars. This became the lowest pressure ever officially measured in the entire Atlantic basin. It broke the old record of 888 millibars set by Hurricane Gilbert in 1988. In world history, Wilma ranks as one of the most intense tropical cyclones ever seen.

The hurricane also set a record for the fastest deepening rate ever recorded in the Atlantic. Its air pressure plunged 97 millibars in just twenty-four hours. As the storm intensified, its center squeezed together tightly. Forecasters discovered that the eye of Wilma contracted to just 2.3 miles across. That became the smallest hurricane eye ever observed by meteorologists. Inside that tiny circle of calm, wild winds swirled at tremendous speeds.

Wilma also produced historic rainfall amounts when it stalled over Mexico. On the small offshore island of Isla Mujeres, a weather rain gauge caught amazing amounts of water. In a single 24-hour period, it collected over 64 inches of torrential rain. This set a national record for the highest 24-hour rainfall total in Mexico. It also set the all-time 24-hour rainfall record for the entire Western Hemisphere.

The storm made history for the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season as well. When Wilma received its name, it was the 21st named storm on the official list. That tied the previous record from the 1933 Atlantic hurricane season. Later, scientists discovered an unnamed subtropical storm, making Wilma the 22nd storm of the year. For the first time ever, meteorologists ran out of regular names on their list. They had to name subsequent storms using letters of the Greek alphabet. That naming method was not needed again until the busy 2020 Atlantic hurricane season.

How Communities Prepared for the Storm

Map showing where forecasters expected Wilma to travel

Governments throughout the Caribbean and North America issued many tropical cyclone warnings and watches. On October 16, officials posted a hurricane watch for the Cayman Islands. Leaders in Honduras and Belize warned coastal towns about rough seas and heavy rain. In Mexico, leaders declared a state of emergency across 23 municipalities in the Yucatán. Officials placed the states of Yucatán and Quintana Roo under an emergency red alert. Emergency teams evacuated around 75,000 people from dangerous beach areas, including thousands of vacationing tourists.

Schools in northeastern Mexico closed their doors for up to two weeks. City leaders turned sturdy buildings into around 200 temporary community shelters. Large entertainment events, including an awards ceremony in Playa del Carmen, were canceled. In Cuba, disaster managers organized a massive safety operation. Government workers helped move more than 760,000 residents away from low-lying coastal spots. Most people stayed with relatives, while others stayed in public storm shelters. Farmers safely moved nearly 250,000 farm animals, especially dairy cattle, to higher ground.

In Florida, officials watched Wilma approach from the Gulf of Mexico. Governor Jeb Bush declared a state of emergency on October 19. This order let the state call up members of the Florida National Guard to prepare supplies. Forecasters issued hurricane warnings for southern Florida, including Lake Okeechobee and the Florida Keys. Emergency managers ordered mandatory evacuations for vulnerable mobile homes and coastal islands in Monroe County. Many residents drove north to stay at Florida International University in Miami-Dade County.

Schools and colleges closed throughout Southwest Florida, Orlando, and the Tampa area. Wilma disrupted normal routines and delayed big community events. In Key West, town leaders postponed the famous Fantasy Fest celebration until December. Professional sports leagues had to change their schedules because of the dangerous weather. The NFL moved a game between the Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins to an earlier date. The NHL postponed a hockey match for the Florida Panthers. Several NCAA college football games were also rescheduled.

In the Bahamas, officials issued hurricane warnings for the northern islands on October 23. Emergency teams ordered people living in low areas of Grand Bahama to move inland. Around 1,000 people took shelter in sturdy schools and church halls. Movie crews working on the Disney movie Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest had to stop filming. The cast and production workers evacuated the islands safely before the storm arrived. Farther north, the weather office in Bermuda posted a gale warning to alert boaters.

The Impact of Hurricane Wilma

Hurricane Wilma caused widespread destruction across several different countries. In total, the hurricane caused about 52 deaths and billions of dollars in property damage. Its massive wind field and heavy rain affected millions of people.

The Caribbean Islands

Before Wilma became a strong hurricane, its outer rainbands drenched the Caribbean. Heavy rains fell across Hispaniola, affecting both Haiti and the Dominican Republic. In Haiti, the torrential downpours caused dangerous river flooding and a severe landslide. These floods claimed twelve lives and damaged roads, cutting off communication to Les Cayes and Tiburon. A short time later, another storm named Tropical Storm Alpha hit the same area, adding more water.

Jamaica was battered by Wilma's outer bands for three continuous days. Floods covered low-lying communities, and muddy landslides blocked major mountain highways. One person lost their life on the island, and almost 250 residents needed emergency shelter. Total property damage in Jamaica reached about $93.5 million. In Cuba, strong winds and ocean water battered the western coast. Wind gusts reached 84 miles per hour at Casablanca near the capital city of Havana.

In Cuba's Pinar del Río Province, rainfall totals reached nearly nine inches. Heavy waves pushed ocean water deep into the streets of Havana. Emergency workers had to use an inflatable raft and a special amphibious vehicle to rescue stranded citizens. The storm damaged more than 7,000 houses, wrecked farm fields, and tore down power lines. Wilma also damaged 364 schools and three hospitals across western Cuba. Fortunately, because so many people evacuated early, nobody died during the storm in Cuba.

Mexico and the Yucatán Peninsula

Satellite view of Wilma's eye moving directly over Cozumel, Mexico

The Yucatán Peninsula suffered catastrophic damage from Hurricane Wilma. The storm moved very slowly, pounding the coast with hurricane-force winds for nearly 50 hours. In Cancún, an instrument called an anemometer measured 100-mile-per-hour winds before it broke. Giant ocean waves and a powerful storm surge washed over popular tourist beaches. The heavy waves tore away sand and smashed delicate coral reefs along the coastline.

Wilma caused eight deaths in Mexico and created a massive natural disaster. Total economic damage reached $4.6 billion, making it one of the costliest storms in Mexican history. In Cancún, the storm damaged or ruined 110 hotels, leaving high-rise lobbies filled with sea water. About 300,000 people lost electrical power across the region. Nearly 29,000 homes and 473 schools suffered structural damage. High floodwaters made the main highway between Cancún and Mérida completely impassable.

The United States and Florida

Satellite image of Wilma crossing the state of Florida

Hurricane Wilma moved very quickly when it struck southern Florida on October 24. Because it moved fast, rainfall totals were lower than in Mexico. Most areas received between 3 and 7 inches of rain. However, the Kennedy Space Center recorded more than 13 inches of precipitation. The storm also created dangerous rotating updrafts that touched off 12 separate tornadoes across Florida. At the same time, high ocean tides pushed water far inland along both coasts.

The storm surge produced severe coastal flooding in the famous Florida Keys. Water flooded nearly 60 percent of Key West, ruining furniture, carpets, and appliances. Thousands of parked automobiles were submerged in salty seawater, ruining their engines. Historic Fort Jefferson in Dry Tortugas National Park survived without major structural harm. On the mainland, the storm surge flooded towns in Collier County like Everglades City and Chokoloskee.

High winds caused tremendous destruction across South Florida. Wilma's huge center traveled across Broward County, Palm Beach County, and northern Miami-Dade County. Fierce wind gusts blew out glass windows on tall skyscrapers in Downtown Miami and Fort Lauderdale. Buildings like the Four Seasons Hotel Miami, Espirito Santo Plaza, and the 110 Tower suffered exterior damage. Across the state, over 3.2 million homes and businesses lost electrical power. It was the largest power outage in Florida's history up to that point.

Florida's farming community suffered severe financial losses from Wilma's howling winds. Strong winds knocked millions of oranges and grapefruits off trees in commercial orchards. The storm also flattened tall fields of sugarcane and wrecked commercial plant nurseries. Total agricultural damage across the state reached $1.3 billion. Overall, Wilma caused about $19 billion in damage and 30 deaths in Florida. It ranked as one of the most expensive tropical storms in American history.

The Bahamas, Bermuda, and Other States

Damaged houses in Freeport, Bahamas after the storm passed

After racing across Florida, Wilma whipped the northwestern islands of the Bahamas. A weather buoy near West End on Grand Bahama measured wind gusts of 114 miles per hour. The hurricane pushed a 12-foot wall of water onto the land, destroying 250 houses. High waves washed over coastal roadways and damaged local power lines. Sadly, the surging water caused one death on Grand Bahama. Across the island, the storm uprooted trees and damaged roofs on hundreds of buildings.

As Wilma traveled out to sea, it passed close to the island of Bermuda. The storm brought winds of 51 miles per hour to the island. Interestingly, the storm blew many ocean birds off course. Local birdwatchers noticed unusual sightings of large seabirds called the frigatebird. Farther west, moisture from Wilma joined with a developing winter nor'easter along the United States coast. This storm brought high waves, coastal erosion, and heavy rain to the Northeastern United States. Mountain areas in Vermont even received up to 20 inches of early snowfall.

Recovery and Retirement of the Name

Helping Communities Recover

After Hurricane Wilma passed, communities faced a long journey to rebuild damaged neighborhoods. In Mexico, emergency teams set up ten public kitchens in Cancún to feed hungry families. Mexican soldiers helped clear debris, deliver fresh drinking water, and protect neighborhood stores. Because Cancún's airport had severe damage, tourists rode buses to the airport in Mérida. Hotels on Cozumel and the Riviera Maya worked fast to repair rooms, reopening by January 2006. The Mexican Red Cross handed out hygiene supplies and food packages to thousands of storm survivors.

In Florida, President George W. Bush signed a major disaster declaration for thirteen counties. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) sent disaster relief teams to help affected families. FEMA provided millions of dollars to help people pay for repairs and temporary housing. The United States Army Corps of Engineers installed blue tarps as temporary roofs on more than 42,000 homes. Workers from electric utility companies traveled from many other states to help replace broken utility poles.

The storm also caused long-term problems for Florida orange growers. High winds helped spread a harmful plant disease called citrus canker between different groves. This disease damaged orange trees, resulting in smaller harvests during the next growing season. State lawmakers passed new rules to make communities safer during future storms. They required gas stations to have backup power generators so people could buy fuel during blackouts. They also required new high-rise residential buildings to keep elevators running on emergency power.

In the Bahamas, volunteer groups and the Bahamian Red Cross delivered clean water and food. The United States Agency for International Development sent emergency relief funds to purchase building materials. Repair crews worked quickly to clear broken branches and open blocked roads. Most hotels in Freeport reopened within a few months, welcoming back visitors.

Retiring the Name Wilma

When a tropical cyclone causes tremendous damage or loss of life, its name is retired. In the spring of 2006, weather officials at the World Meteorological Organization met to discuss the season. Because Hurricane Wilma was so destructive and historically intense, they decided never to use the name again. Retiring a name shows respect for the people who experienced the storm's fury. The name Wilma was replaced on the official naming list by the name Whitney.

See also

In Spanish: Huracán Wilma para niños

• Tropical cyclones in 2005
• List of Category 5 Atlantic hurricanes
• List of Cuba hurricanes
• List of Florida hurricanes (2000–present)
• Timeline of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season
• Hurricane Allen (1980) – Another powerful Category 5 storm that moved through the Caribbean Sea
• Hurricane Gilbert (1988) – A Category 5 storm that previously held the Atlantic pressure record
• Hurricane Mitch (1998) – A destructive Category 5 storm that affected Central America
• Hurricane Delta (2020) – A Category 4 storm that rapidly intensified in the same region
• Hurricane Eta (2020) – A Category 4 hurricane that struck Central America

Images for kids

• 

  Radar image showing Hurricane Wilma making landfall in South Florida

• 

  Comparison showing the enormous diameter of Hurricane Wilma compared to other storms

• 

  Flooding caused by storm surge in Key Haven near Key West, Florida

• 

  Damage to the exterior of an office building in Fort Lauderdale, Florida

• 

  FEMA disaster team helping residents in Boynton Beach, Florida