Cancun gettin' NE quadrant: Gusts 140+ mph, 24 ft surge

[Solaris]

look here:
http://smn.cna.gob.mx/productos/emas/txt/QR01_10M.TXT

data is in km/h: 175 km/h ~ 105 mph, gusts 220 km/h ~ 145 mph

in addition:
En las últimas 24 horas la lluvia reportada en Isla Mujeres, QR., es de 1,522 mm

1522 mm are 58 inches. Thats in 24 hours!!

[DESTRUCTION5]

58 Inches in 24 hrs? Holy Friggin Crap!!!

[jpigott]

look here:
http://smn.cna.gob.mx/productos/emas/txt/QR01_10M.TXT

data is in km/h: 175 km/h ~ 105 mph, gusts 220 km/h ~ 145 mph

in addition:
En las últimas 24 horas la lluvia reportada en Isla Mujeres, QR., es de 1,522 mm

1522 mm are 58 inches. Thats in 24 hours!!

sustained hurricane force winds and 50+ inches of rain, sounds like fun

[Solaris]

news agencies reporting water 24 ft high at Cancun beachfront reaching the third floor of the hotels.

[abajan]

The Cozumel/Cancun area is the same region that was struck by another infamous monster: Gilbert in 1988 whose pressure went as low as 888 mb.

[no advance]

But I think we will find this one takes the cake.

[Normandy]

They have been in the NE eyewall for a good 7 hours now. The damage will be unbelieavable.

[Dave C]

Unfortanately for Cozemel and Cancaun, Gilbert was moving steadily and had peaked before landfall. Wilma moving much slower and was at least steady state if not intensifing some at landfall. Also, staying close to the coast has allowed Wilma to weaken more slowly. I can't imagine what those poor people have been going through for the last 24hrs... it's heartbreaking.

[HurricaneGirl]

news agencies reporting water 24 ft high at Cancun beachfront reaching the third floor of the hotels.

[KatDaddy]

This is just amazing! 58" is just insane. Being hammered by the eyewall for hours and hours is crazy.

I am sure this is posted already but here it is again. The flooding and winds were getting intense yesterday at 3PM!

http://stormcarib.com/reports/2005/mexico.shtml

[jes]

I wonder how far inland the tourist were moved. What a vacation to remember for a lifetime. Was it too late for them to fly out ---- I would never have stayed there with a Cat 5 approaching --- they must be unfamiliar with hurricanes --- not anymore!

[mimi77]

My aunt and uncle were on the LAST plane that flew out of there. They said there were TONS of people turned away and that they had to shelter because they had to close the airport. I just pray that they brought these people far enough inland. This will definitely be a vacation to remember. Those poor people. Not to mention these are people who have more than likely NEVER been through a CAT 1 hurricane not less a monster like Wilma! Just keep them all in your prayers!

[LAwxrgal]

Ewwwww.....I hate to see the damage pics from there. I also fear a high death toll too.

[krysof]

the best news would be that there would be little if any fatalities but I seriously doubt that unless everyone moved from the northeastern coast well inland

[quandary]

Unfortanately for Cozemel and Cancaun, Gilbert was moving steadily and had peaked before landfall. Wilma moving much slower and was at least steady state if not intensifing some at landfall. Also, staying close to the coast has allowed Wilma to weaken more slowly. I can't imagine what those poor people have been going through for the last 24hrs... it's heartbreaking.

Mostly the biggest deal is that Wilma has spent so much time over those cities. Gilbert was certainly immensely powerful as it hit the YP. Winds were somewhere in the 170mph range and the pressure was the lowest pressure to hit land (a large chunk of land) at 900mb or so. Only the FL Keys produced a preesure on land that was lower, but it was over small islands.