Hurricane Wilma - Cat. 5

[JPmia]

that map does not show a sarasota landfall...

Yes. That map shows a Naples to Ft. Pierce route.

[skysummit]

I believe we could see an eye by this evening. Look at those cloud tops around the center. Now look just to the SE of those cloud tops...could it be?????

[Noah]

that map does not show a sarasota landfall...

Yes. That map shows a Naples to Ft. Pierce route.

OK, because before it was showing sarasota before the 11am update, and this thread was saying it too.

[LSue]

I hear ya, Tracy!

What are your thoughts?

If the trend toward our area continues, my gut feeling is we should have two evacuation destinations in place. One to the east coast and one north depending on the the expected landfall. The big problem no matter which direction we go is getting out of here. Having I-75 and the Alley as our only choice of evacuation routes is a guaranteed nightmare unless you leave early .... possibly before we know if we're in line for a direct hit.

How about our other SW Fllorida buddies...what are you thinking?

Linda

[ronjon]

Landfall at Naples:

http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/storm_graphics/ ... 46W_sm.gif

Then why are they saying sarasota..i saw on here on 11am advisories said it shifted farther north, then some say south?? NHC loooks like to me its under sarasota.

I, and many others, are saying Sarasota-Port Charlotte becuz u have two excellent models - GFDL and EURO indicating such. The NHC track was adjusted slightly north from 5 AM to 11 AM. Remember, the NHC doesn't like to make large swings in their track forecasts - especially 4 days out. Now will it hit Sarasota (or points north)? Who knows at this point - we'll have a much better idea in tomorrow and even better Thursday. Also, due to recurvature, a slight change in angle toward the west coast can change landfall by tens of miles. The entire coast from Cedar Key to Key West needs to closely monitor this storm.

[SouthFloridawx]

[EDR1222]

Look at the cone of uncertainty right now. Everyone should definately keep an eye on it, but there is also the possibility that this storm passes well south of Florida.

[cjrciadt]

Any buoys around the center right now, since we wont get pressure reading from recon for a while?

[HomesteadHoney]

This is a from the TS thread. It was closed just after I posted it this morning so there were no replys.

For those of us way down here at the bottom of Florida (Homestead), does anyone have a suggestion for an evacuation spot? My usual choices, Naples, Tampa and Orlando all seem equally likely for a hit at this point.

Like NOLA, our evacuation routes for the millions of people down here are really limited (I-95, I-75 and Hwy 27). If I was to take a cautious approach and leave by Thursday, how far do we have to go??

I think many more people will be heeding early evacuation advice due to the insane evacuation experiences in TX and LA already this year.

My second post!

[bigmike]

Everybody keep in mind that the forecasted landfall this far out can be off well over 200+ miles. The models had Rita headed for South TX. 5-6 days out.

Alot will depend on the movement to the NW and how far that motion carries Wilma into the Gulf before and if the trough picks her up.

True I would say from cross city to key west should be getting prepared at this time. I think NW Fla and Alabama will escape a hit this time but should still keep an eye on it.

[Canelaw99]

I was wondering if anyone can take a map like what southflorida posted and put the current windfield on it near where the NHC currently has the landfall area? I think, Skeet, you'd done that some last year. I know I'm a visual person and it really helps me to see the impact that areas can get from the windfield of a storm

[Ivanhater]

i have a bad feeling about this one....i hope my fellow floridians are preparing down there, and ill just be keeping a close eye on it just in case something crazy happens ...either way ill be tracking it......stay safe and lets get through this....florida knows how to handle hurricanes!

[Canelaw99]

For those of us way down here at the bottom of Florida (Homestead), does anyone have a suggestion for an evacuation spot? My usual choices, Naples, Tampa and Orlando all seem equally likely for a hit at this point.

Like NOLA, our evacuation routes for the millions of people down here are really limited (I-95, I-75 and Hwy 27). If I was to take a cautious approach and leave by Thursday, how far do we have to go??

I think many more people will be heeding early evacuation advice due to the insane evacuation experiences in TX and LA already this year.

My second post!

First off, hi neighbor!!!! I'm off 320th, west of US1

As for evacs, do you have to go? I know Norcross on CBS4 tends to say that the buildings here in Dade are some of the best in the nation for hurricanes, so you're better off staying in the county than in some other parts. With that said, the way this storm looks, I would consider the NW part of the state - north of Tampa, etc., but you'll have to plan early as it takes forever to get up the state LOL

[cajungal]

I was really hoping SW Florida would be spared this year. Port Charlotte has not recovered from Charley. This has been such a rough season for the gulf coast. Almost every place on the gulf coast has been affected. About the only place spared was the central-south Texas coastline.

[Canelaw99]

florida knows how to handle hurricanes!

Now if we could just get a handle on these pythons we'd be ok! lol

[skysummit]

Any buoys around the center right now, since we wont get pressure reading from recon for a while?

Not much right now.

[JPmia]

This is a from the TS thread. It was closed just after I posted it this morning so there were no replys.

For those of us way down here at the bottom of Florida (Homestead), does anyone have a suggestion for an evacuation spot? My usual choices, Naples, Tampa and Orlando all seem equally likely for a hit at this point.

Like NOLA, our evacuation routes for the millions of people down here are really limited (I-95, I-75 and Hwy 27). If I was to take a cautious approach and leave by Thursday, how far do we have to go??

I think many more people will be heeding early evacuation advice due to the insane evacuation experiences in TX and LA already this year.

My second post!

Considering the angle this storm could hit the state, evacuating might not be wise for some....if you trying to leave South/SW FL to go to Orlando...the storm will ride up the state with you In South FL, EOC folks really want us to shelter in place b/c it is not physically possible to evac. everyone.

[Ivanhater]

ok guys, 12z gfs rolling in.....12 hours

[Brent]

Panhandle.

Good luck getting there.

[cinlfla]

Considering the angle this storm could hit the state, evacuating might not be wise for some....if you trying to leave South/SW FL to go to Orlando...the storm will ride up the state with you In South FL, EOC folks really want us to shelter in place b/c it is not physically possible to evac. everyone.

This is so very true, very good point.