Hurricane Wilma becomes stronger on its path toward Florida

October 19, 2005

strengthened on its path around Cuba, and is projected to travel onward and outward towards central and south Florida. Wilma ties the record for most tropical storms (named storms) in a season at 21, and the record for most hurricanes in a season at 12.

As of 2 pm EDT Wednesday, 19 October (18:00 UTC), the center of Hurricane Wilma was located near 17°5′ N 83°5′ W or about 300 miles (480 km) southeast of Cozumel, Mexico. It is moving to the west-northwest at 7 mph (11 KM/HR)with maximum sustained winds of 165 mph (270 km/h), with higher gusts, making it a dangerous Category 5 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson Scale, and has a minimum central pressure of 900 mbar (26.58 InHg).

Rainfall accumulations are expected in amounts of 5 to 10 inches, with isolated areas of 25 inches over the Cayman Islands, Jamaica, Haiti, and Cuba. Rains of 4 to 6 inches can be expected in areas of Honduras and Nicaragua.

At 5pm EDT the country of Mexico issued a Hurricane Watch for the Yucatan Peninsula from Punta Allen to Cabo Catoche.

A hurricane warning remains in effect from San Felipe to Tulum on the Yucatan peninsula...including Cozumel and nearby islands. A Hurricane is also in effect for Swan Island. A tropical storm warning is in effect from south of Tulum to Chetumal Mexico. A hurricane watch remains in effect for the east coast of the Yucatan peninsula from south of Tulum to Punta Gruesa. A tropical storm warning is in effect for Belize from the border With Mexico southward to Belize City. A hurricane watch remains in effect in Cuba for the provinces of Matanzas westward through Pinar del Rio...and for the isle of Youth. A tropical storm warning remains in effect for Honduras from the Honduras/Nicaragua border westward to Cabo Camaron. Residents of the Florida Keys and the peninsula should monitor the progress of the storm.

Evacuations have begun in the Florida Keys this morning.

Thirteen are believed dead, twelve in Haiti and one in Jamaica.

Video Streams
Live Hurricane Wilma Coverage by WFOR-CBS4-Miami-Fort Lauderdale (once activated)