Hurricane Wilma (High Quality) - Belle Meade, Florida - October 24, 2005

Between October 15th and 26th, 2005 Hurricane Wilma, became the 22nd named storm, 13th hurricane, sixth major hurricane and fourth Category Five hurricane of the record-shattering 2005 season. Hurricane Wilma also has the distinction of producing the lowest central pressure on record in the Atlantic basin.

From October 15th - 17th Hurricane Wilma gradually organized from an area of disturbed weather over the western Caribbean Sea. Over a 30 hour period from the afternoon of the18th through the morning of the 19th, Hurricane Wilma underwent explosive deepening with the central pressure falling 100 mb to a record low value of 882 mb (26.05 in) and maximum sustained winds reaching 185 mph (160 kts) with peak gusts over 200 mph (175 kts). After reaching peak intensity, Wilma began an eyewall replacement cycle and weakend slightly, however the hurricane was still a powerful Category Four with sustained winds of 150 mph (130 kts) as it moved slowly over Cozumel, Mexico and the extreme northeast tip of the Yucatan Peninsula from the 21st through the 23rd.

By the time Hurricane Wilma emerged from the Mexican mainland, on the afternoon of the 23rd, it had weakened significantly. However, the storm began to restrengthen over the eastern Gulf of Mexico as it accelerated to the northeast, ahead of an approaching trough. Hurricane Wilma regained Category Three strength with maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (110 kts) just before landfall on the southwest coast of Florida, near Cape Romano.

Wilma was a very large storm that produced hurricane condtions across almost all of the southern Florida peninsula. The highest winds reported during Hurricane Wilma's landfall in Florida were 121 mph (105 kts) at the Collier County EOC near Naples; 117 mph (102 kts) at the Belle Glade SFWMD station and 113 mph (98 kts) at Loxahatchee. The hurricane's minimum central pressure at landfall was 950 mb (28.05 in).

From the evening of October 23rd through mid-morning on the 24th, storm chaser Michael Laca intercepted Hurricane Wilma near the point of landfall on the southwest coast Florida, at Belle Meade, near Marco Island. At my location I encountered sustained winds near 100 mph (85 kts) with peak gusts near 120 mph (105 kts).

Hurricane Wilma moved rapidly across the Florida peninsula and exited the east coast near Jupiter, Florida with maximum winds reduced to near 110 mph (95 kts). The storm restrengthend and once again became a major hurricane, before finally transitioning into a large extra-tropical cyclone over the northern Atlantic.

Across its several landfalls, Hurricane Wilma was responsible for $29.1 billion (adjusted) in damage and 63 direct fatalities.

Category:

Science & Technology

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[ilove3dg1]

soooo,im guessing that that flashing blue light is lightning

[vmax135]

@ilove3dg1 Hi Sara. Those are explosions from a power transformer about a block away from my location. The noise you're hearing is the sound of high-voltage electrical arcing during the explosions.

[Whinestee]

When was this filmed? 2005? It is 1080p aka Blu Ray quality!

[vmax135]

@Whinestee This footage was originally filmed in 2005 in standard definition... I then re-mastered the video and rendered an upscaled version in HD this past year.

[germanhypercane]

Impressive video! Glad that Wilma didnt had the same strength at landfall as in Yucatan or Charley in 2004. As I now the windfield size was responsible for widespread damage even as a category two, very similar to hurricane Ike. Cool footage, Michael!

[vmax135]

@germanhypercane Thanks so much... glad you enjoyed the clip. And yes, if Wilma had retained the same strength it had at landfall in the Yucatan, while moving over Florida, the impact here would have been unbelievable!

[03mph]

It just proves 25mph for winds is nothing! and 60mph gusts is a small role!

[chokoo981]

I was in that hurricane and it was the worse experience of my life

[ibbarretsil]

this looks fake.and if it was real why didnt the car fall over? why didnt u get swept away?

[wizardslass1]

I tried to explain to my family just how bad it was, if they watch this they will know. I have been in several hurricanes and Wilma was the worst. We were without power for a week and that was a short time compared to some. We also had no hot water, our food all spoiled and we had to take very cold showers. There was no food, no gas and a tree fell on our Jeep. Thank you for the video. It is awesome!

[193848663]

i was like 7 yrs old wen this happen we had no power until october 31

[mainchow10]

Just a quick note: Hurricane Wilma did not have any lightning or thunder at all (not even the feeder bands) during it's Florida landfall.

[dyad2r1]

And that ain't all. Whether you live in central Florida, or are visiting some of the many attractions, you should know that central Florida is the "Lightning Capital of the United States." On average, lightning is responsible for more weather-related deaths in Florida than all other weather hazards combined, and Florida has the highest number of lightning casualties of all 50 states.

[dyad2r1]

I'll never forget it. It wasn't the pouring rain, the thunder, the lightning or being without power for 12 hours. It was the maddening sound of the wind that made me want to SCREAM, SCREAM, SCREAM!

[dyad2r1]

@Zogge123 - No, there've been a number of years when Florida had no major hurricanes at all. 2010 was one of them. Nevertheless, Floridians who've lived here for a few years are always well-prepared.

[dyad2r1]

@vmax135

It's much better than the original. Thanks so much!