Hurricane Wilma - Cat. 5

[Damar91]

I told my wife last night that I was predicting a 130mph hurricane at landfall. I WAS just kidding! It may not be to far off now.

[JPmia]

A lot of people are going to be caught off-guard. I heard a TON of people on the news say they weren't evacuating because it was "only going to be a Cat 1 or 2"

I look on my street and there are quite a few people in Ft. Lauderdale that did not protect their homes with shutters or boards....I really believe people are worn out over all the storms and threats from the last two years. For myself...I hope it is not a Cat. 3 over my area!

[Brent]

Is there more of a powerfull storm surge with a fast appoaching storm compared to a slow mover....?

No.

See Charley.

It didn't have time to build up a Cat 3 or 4 surge.

Now Katrina did, and it moved rather fast too. But it also became a Cat 5 24 hours before landfall.

[HurricaneGirl]

A lot of people are going to be caught off-guard. I heard a TON of people on the news say they weren't evacuating because it was "only going to be a Cat 1 or 2"

That's what people being interviewed on TWC have been saying all day. Only about 20% of the keys population evacuated I pray everyone will be safe.

[FlaNativeMom]

holy crap folks, were about to have a cat 3 on our hands...we all know the type of damage a cat 3 can do , ivan , katrina and so on

Don't forget...this cat 3 (maybe) storm will be passing over an area with the most stringent building codes in the country...you can't compare Rita and Katrina's damage to potential damage down here. Their codes up there were not anywhere near what they are down here. Although, don't get me wrong...there will be some more damage than people expect down here if those winds do occur over the metro areas.

That might be more encouraging if the residents about to get slammed had taken the threat more seriously and taken proper precautions. But I'm beginning to become very concerned for the people down there. I hope you're right, though. I don't want to see Wilma claim even one more life.

[Stratosphere747]

Key West Airport, FL 7:53 EDT Mostly Cloudy and Windy SE 37G51 29.48

[caneman]

People keep in mind the eyewall is nearly 40 niles wide. This will create a much larger area of damge than Charley did and with equal forward speed will continue on well inland.

[MGC]

Just checked out the Key West long range loop. Looks like all those folks in Key West are in for a big surprise later tonight as it appears that the eye has a good shot a passing very near to Key West......MGC

[Matt-hurricanewatcher]

Thats what I was thinking. It may be weaker then Charley. But its a whole lot bigger like 100 times. In its as strong as Rita...Remember the damage from her. The damage is going to be close to 20 billion.

[Ivanhater]

last image does not look good

[THead]

[JPmia]

holy crap folks, were about to have a cat 3 on our hands...we all know the type of damage a cat 3 can do , ivan , katrina and so on

Don't forget...this cat 3 (maybe) storm will be passing over an area with the most stringent building codes in the country...you can't compare Rita and Katrina's damage to potential damage down here. Their codes up there were not anywhere near what they are down here. Although, don't get me wrong...there will be some more damage than people expect down here if those winds do occur over the metro areas.

That might be more encouraging if the residents about to get slammed had taken the threat more seriously and taken proper precautions. But I'm beginning to become very concerned for the people down there. I hope you're right, though. I don't want to see Wilma claim even one more life.

you are correct...The building codes are good as long as people use their shutters or cover their windows and protect their properties...from my observation today....not many are taking this seriously enough.

[cjrciadt]

Blue on the image now, not good.

[jrtalon]

Foxnews just reported that someone called in said a tornado has touched down in Orlando.

[rockyman]

Fox News reporter at the NHC (you could see Max Mayfield in the background) just reported that Max told him that the eye was becoming much better organized and the reporter said that this increasing organizing was somewhat of a surprise to the NHC...he also said Cat 2 conditions could be expected on both the west and east coasts of Florida.

[feederband]

Almost looks due east on this...

http://www.nws.noaa.gov/radar/loop/DS.p ... kbyx.shtml

[MGC]

That sure don't look good. The eye is starting to clear out. Wilma just might make it to Cat-3 yet.....MGC

[DESTRUCTION5]

She's a Cat 3 now..Looks Better than Jeanne ever did last year...I say 120 at 11

[CronkPSU]

no tornado i know of in orlando...i can see the city from where I live

[thermos]

Man this is one weird season. Can't let your guard down in 2005.