Wilma landfalled as CAT 3... Damage Reports just coming in

[zulaya]

Charade, I know how you feel! I leave Weds. AM and now it looks like Wilma is slowing down! Not good for FL! (or us travelers).

 

[chris1gill]

Dang!!! I leave next Tuesday morning for WDW! (keeping my fingers crossed!!!)

Uh, I leave tomorrow I really don't know what to do... whether to go or not? I don't know

 

[Bee]

We are arriving Saturday around 12:30 pm.

Then cruising the 27th on the Wonder!

Go away Wilma.. Fred wants you at home!!

BEE

 

[Ranatra]

chris1gill,
We are to leave early Friday morning and I'm not sure what to do either.

 

[aprild]

Just wanted to say i will be praying for everyone in Wilma's path. I live on the coast, so i know how devastating a hurricane can be. I will be thinking about everyone in her path.

 

[Virgo10]

Accuweather appears to be showing the path of this storm a bit more to the north than the NHC, Skeetobite and Weather Underground. They've got it hitting just to the south of Ft. Myers while everyone else seems to have it near Naples or even further south than that.

Here's their current projection map:

As it's been said here a million times, do NOT focus on the red line.

 

[buddy&wooz]

I'm leaving for WDW tomorrow, scheduled to fly home Monday morning. I'll be happy if I get a flight home sometime on Monday... but I'm not cancelling!
I'm more concerned about friends who live on the west coast.

 

[Keggy]

Charade - You aren't going until Tuesday? You will be fine the Hurricane is porjected to hit this weekend.

Right, not Orlando's forcast is just showing 30 to 40% chances of rain for this weekend. We have plans with friends to go to Food and Wine on Saturday night and we are playing it by ear, but still plan on going. Just bringing rain coats!

We actually stayed on Disney property during the worst of the three hurricanes last year.

Kelly

 

[chris1gill]

We actually stayed on Disney property during the worst of the three hurricanes last year.

Kelly

Kelly, since you were on property last year for a hurricane, how was your experience? Which resort were you at? Can you elaborate on what Disney did for preparations & what you did as well? I'm leaning towards going as the hurricane should hit overnight on Saturday.... we will be inside & I think as long as the resort is strong (Saratoga Springs) that we will be okay...

Buddy&wooz, you have the same schedule as we do, where are you flying from? We're from Boston... You aren't canceling? Are there any special things you are bringing to prepare?

 

[4greatboys]

We are supposed to fly out Sat am to Orlando. Arriving at 10:30 am.

 

[jerrysboy40]

This is all your fault Deena!

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Our Tampa weather station said that it all depends on how it fairs through the channel. If it stears west, then looks like Punta Gorda area, if it stears east going through the channel, then Naples. Guess we have to wait and see. Alot could happen in the next 48 hours anyway. Our weatherman thinks there will be a slight shift to the north from the model you posted.

I did not post a MODEL. That is the official NHC prediction, which takes into account many of the models (including the FSU Superensemble, which is not available to the public) and other additional weather factors.

 

[Keggy]

Kelly, since you were on property last year for a hurricane, how was your experience? Which resort were you at? Can you elaborate on what Disney did for preparations & what you did as well? I'm leaning towards going as the hurricane should hit overnight on Saturday.... we will be inside & I think as long as the resort is strong (Saratoga Springs) that we will be okay...

Sure. We were at Old Key West in a 2 bedroom. It wasn't our room, we had good friends that were staying there and we were invited over so we slept on the couch! The parks closed at noon that day and all guests were asked to stay in their rooms, but I can't remember from what time. We were given 1 flashlight from the hotel... But, thanksfully the power and cable did not ever go out. Although, when we went home both were out in our apartment. Since we had a kitchen we were well set. I could see being in a normal hotel room, being a tad bored - so I would bring cards or a game to pass the time. As well as stocking up on food since you cannot run out to the food court.

Hope this helps,
Kelly

 

[chris1gill]

Sure. We were at Old Key West in a 2 bedroom. It wasn't our room, we had good friends that were staying there and we were invited over so we slept on the couch! The parks closed at noon that day and all guests were asked to stay in their rooms, but I can't remember from what time. We were given 1 flashlight from the hotel... But, thanksfully the power and cable did not ever go out. Although, when we went home both were out in our apartment. Since we had a kitchen we were well set. I could see being in a normal hotel room, being a tad bored - so I would bring cards or a game to pass the time. As well as stocking up on food since you cannot run out to the food court.

Hope this helps,
Kelly

Hi Kelly,

Do you recall what the wind speed was while the hurricane was passing by? I've tried to get us a 1 bedroom villa, but no luck, so we are stuck with the studio.. not really ideal I guess... but I'll do as you said, bring a game or two and also some cards, as well as some microwaveable food... How quickly was the resort & parks up & running after the storm? Thanks!

 

[4greatboys]

This is all your fault Deena!

No chips for you!!

 

[Tiggerlover91]

Latest tracks from Weather Underground and NOAA:

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Hurricane Wilma Discussion Number 17


Statement as of 11:00 am EDT on October 19, 2005



the next reconnaissance aircraft will reach Wilma early this
afternoon...but since then there has been little change in the
satellite presentation...although the coldest cloud tops have
warmed a bit. The intensity estimate will be held at 150 kt
pending further reconnaissance data. At this point...the best
estimate for the minimum pressure is a blend of the 881 mb
extrapolated from the aircraft and the 884 mb from an eye drop that
splashed in 23 kt winds. The aircraft reported a distinct outer
wind maximum and microwave data show a formative outer eyewall.
Eyewall replacement cycles will have a strong influence on the
intensity of Wilma over the next couple of days...but these are
impossible to time and are not reflected in the official forecast.
Once Wilma enters the southeastern Gulf of Mexico upper-level
conditions will not be as ideal as they are now and some weakening
is expected...however...it appears that Wilma will still be a
formidable hurricane as it approaches Florida. After that...as
Wilma interacts with a mid-latitude upper-low...the wind field of
Wilma is expected to expand considerably...and even global models
are showing hurricane force winds with the system at 5 days.

Pronounced trochoidal oscillations are being superimposed on a mean
motion of 300/6. There has been little change to the forecast
track through 96 hours. However...recent runs of the GFS and
NOGAPS are suggesting the possibility of a threat to New England.
In this scenario...Wilma becomes captured by a large mid- to
upper-level low forecast to move into the Great Lakes region in
four days. The ECMWF and in particular the UKMET...both older
runs...do not yet indicate this. The five-day official forecast
point has been adjusted to the left and faster than the previous
advisory...but is still much farther offshore of New England than
the GFDL...GFS...and NOGAPS guidance.

 

[huey578]

Here is the forecasted path I made for my internship with Tampa Bay's 10. I made this will help of my friends at Tampa Bay's 10. It will be updated daily so check back.

SEE FINAL POST FOR UPDATE!

sorry for caps. just want you to see

Have they forecasted where Wilma will make land fall in Florida? I wondering how far that would be from Orlando???

 

[Miss Jasmine]

Have they forecasted where Wilma will make land fall in Florida? I wondering how far that would be from Orlando???

With hurricanes you never really know, and right now it's still to early.

Again, here is the OFFICAL NHC Forecasted track, which of course as we all know will still be changing over the next couple of days.

 

[lewdyan1]

Does anyone know what happened to the GDFL and the BAM computer models, they have been on the same track as the rest and all of a sudden, they are looking crazy?