1. Hurricane Wilma: A Case Study
Mari Holmstrom
Environmental Geology

2. Outline Introduction to Hurricanes Introduction to Hurricane Wilma
                                                                                                                                                                                                 
Introduction to Hurricanes
Introduction to Hurricane
Wilma
Timeline of Events
Preparation
Impact
Disaster Response
Reconstruction
What was learned
Future recommendations

3. Hurricane Definition Circulation Stages of Development
Tropical cyclones with winds exceeding 74 mph
Circulation
Counterclockwise around center in NH, opposite in SH
Inverse relationship between central pressure and wind speed
Stages of Development
Tropical Depression
Tropical Storm
Hurricane

5. Facts about Hurricane Wilma
Set numerous records for strength
and seasonal activity
Most active season
Third category 5 to form in October
Within top five costliest hurricane
in Atlantic
Third costliest storm in U.S. history

6. Hurricane Wilma Track October 25 Weakened to extratropical storm
October 24 (Category 3)
Contact with Florida around 6:30 a.m.
October 22 (Category 2)
Wilma hits Yucatan peninsula
October 18
Tropical Storm Wilma reaches Category 1 hurricane strength and becomes a hurricane
October 20 (Category 4)
First Atlantic hurricane to have below 900 mb central pressure at Category 4
October 17
Tropical Depression 24 becomes Tropical
Storm Wilma
October 19 (Category 5)
Most intense hurricane recorded in Atlantic
October 15
Tropical Depression 24 develops

7. Tropical Depression forming
Hitting Yucatan Peninsula
Hitting Florida
Dissipating in Atlantic

8. Who was Impacted Florida Yucatan Peninsula Cuba
Collier, Palm Beach, Naples, and Monroe County
Yucatan Peninsula
Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, and Cancun
Cuba
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

9. Preparedness Mexico Cuba Florida Red Alert declared
Tourists told to return home
Classes suspended
Residents advised to take refuge inland
Cuba
Preparations to evacuate four western provinces
More than 368,000 people ordered to evacuate
Florida
Mandatory evacuation of Monroe County and Collier County residents
Hurricane shelters opened
County offices, schools, and courts closed
Curfews in Lee and Collier counties

10. Impact of hurricane Deaths Mexico 8 7.5 billion Cuba 12 700 million
Damages
(In US Dollars)
Mexico 8
7.5 billion
Cuba 12
700 million
Florida 35
20.6 billion
Total
At least 63
At least 28 billion

11. Impact on Economy Mexico Florida Tourism industry affected
7.5 miles of beaches destroyed
Florida
Sugar crop halted
Citrus industry affected

12. Disaster Response Mexico Cuba Florida Red Cross USAID/OFDA
National Guardsmen
Search and Rescue
Ice, water, and meals trucked in
Disaster Medical Assistance Teams

13. Reconstruction Mexico Florida Water and power restored in days
Reflection of growing experience
Beach repair could take up to 3 years
Hotels/resorts reopened in 2006
Florida
Residents moved back within a week
New hurricane and weather center opened in March 2006 in Key West

14. What was learned Accurate hurricane forecasting
Time of impact
Direction of movement
2005 peak of cycle b/w high and low intensity seasons
Winds same direction and same speed
Warm water available
Possibly caused by global warming?

15. Recommendations Good preparation and response Mandatory evacuation
Make sure residents leave
More evacuation routes
Stages of evacuation?
More research on hurricane season cycle
Keep extensive data collection

16. References http://ladeltaweather.com/hurricanecenter/