NationMaster - Encyclopedia: Effects of Hurricane Wilma in The Bahamas

The effects of Hurricane Wilma in the Bahamas were generally unexpected and most concentrated on the western portion of Grand Bahama Island. Hurricane Wilma developed on October 15, 2005 in the Caribbean Sea, and after drifting and initially organizing slowly it explosively deepened on October 18 and October 19 to reach peak winds of 300 km/h (185 mph) and a record low pressure of 882 mbar (hPa). It weakened and struck eastern Mexico as a Category 4 hurricane, and subsequently accelerated northeastward and made landfall on southwestern Florida. It crossed the state, and briefly restrengthened in the open Atlantic Ocean before weakening and becoming an extratropical cyclone on October 26. Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (5600x7200, 6961 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Hurricane Wilma User:Good kitty/sandbox ... Image File history File links Download high-resolution version (5600x7200, 6961 KB) File links The following pages on the English Wikipedia link to this file (pages on other projects are not listed): Hurricane Wilma User:Good kitty/sandbox ... Lowest pressure 882 mbar (hPa) (Lowest pressure ever recorded in an Atlantic hurricane) Damage $28. ... Grand Bahama from space, June 1998 Grand Bahama is one of the northernmost of the islands of the Bahamas, and the closest major island to the United States, lying just 55 mi (90 km) off the coast of the state of Florida. ... October 15 is the 288th day of the year (289th in leap years). ... 2005 (MMV) was a common year starting on Saturday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Map of Central America and the Caribbean A Caribbean beach in Isla Margarita, Venezuela. ... Hurricane Charley nearing landfall after its rapid deepening phase Rapid deepening is when the minimum sea-level pressure of a tropical cyclone decreases drastically in a short period of time. ... October 18 is the 291st day of the year (292nd in leap years). ... October 19 is the 292nd day of the year (293rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... A millibar (mbar, also mb) is 1/1000th of a bar, a unit for measurement of pressure. ... Hurricane Charley making landfall on August 13, 2004 at its peak intensity. ... This article or section does not cite its references or sources. ... A fictitious synoptic chart of an extratropical cyclone affecting the UK & Ireland. ... October 26 is the 299th day of the year (300th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 66 days remaining. ...

On October 24, Hurricane Wilma made its closest approach to The Bahamas, passing about 150 km (90 miles) north-northwest of Freeport.^[1] While passing the archipelago, the hurricane produced hurricane force winds and a powerful storm surge, flooding southwestern coastal areas of Grand Bahama and destroying hundreds of buildings. Damage totaled about $100 million (2005 USD, $105 million 2007 USD), almost entirely on the western half of the island. The central portion of Grand Bahama, including in and around Freeport, reported minor to moderate damage, while the eastern end received little to no damage. One child died on the island from the flooding. Elsewhere in the Bahamas, moderate damage occurred on Abaco and Bimini, while islands further to the south reported minimal wind damage. October 24 is the 297th day of the year (298th in leap years) in the Gregorian Calendar, with 68 days remaining. ... Freeport is a city and free trade zone on the island of Grand Bahama, located approximately 100 mi (160 km) east-northeast of Fort Lauderdale, South Florida and gives its name to a district of the Bahamas. ... ... Freeport is a city and free trade zone on the island of Grand Bahama, located approximately 100 mi (160 km) east-northeast of Fort Lauderdale, South Florida and gives its name to a district of the Bahamas. ... The Abaco islands lie in the northern Bahamas and comprise the main islands of Great Abaco and Little Abaco, together with the smaller Wood Cay, Green Turtle Cay, Great Guana Cay, Gorda Cay, Elbow Cay, Man-o-War Cay, Strangers Cay, Umbrella Cay, Walkers Cay and Mores Island. ... Bimini Island from space, June 1998 Map of the Bahamas with the Biminis positioned center left (click to enlarge). ...

Preparations

At 1200 UTC on October 23, about 24 hours prior to Wilma made its closest approach to the archipelago, the government of The Bahamas issued a hurricane warning for the northwestern portion of the territory, including the Abacos, Andros Island, Berry Islands, Bimini, Eleuthera, Grand Bahama, and New Providence.^[1] The government of the Bahamas advised citizens to rush preparations to completion, though many failed to fully prepare, believing Wilma would pass through the archipelago as a tropical storm. Many homes failed to board windows or apply hurricane shutters, as well. Officials ordered evacuations for the eastern and western portion of Grand Bahama island, and established multiple shelters on the island. Few evacuated, with estimates ranging from 300^[2] to 1,000 people evacuating.^[3] Map of the Bahamas. ... Map of the Bahamas. ... ... October 23 is the 296th day of the year (297th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... See Severe weather terminology for a comprehensive article on this term and related weather terms. ... The Abaco islands lie in the northern Bahamas and comprise the main islands of Great Abaco and Little Abaco, together with the smaller Wood Cay, Green Turtle Cay, Great Guana Cay, Gorda Cay, Elbow Cay, Man-o-War Cay, Strangers Cay, Umbrella Cay, Walkers Cay and Mores Island. ... Andros Island is the largest island of the Bahamas at roughly 2300 square miles (6,000 kmÂ²) in area and 104 miles (167 km) long and 40 miles (64 km) wide at its widest point. ... The Berry Islands or The Berries, are a chain of islands and a district of the Bahamas, covering about thirty square miles (78 km ) of the north western part of the Out Islands. ... Bimini Island from space, June 1998 Map of the Bahamas with the Biminis positioned center left (click to enlarge). ... New Providence Island and Eleuthera Island from space, April 1997 See also: Eleutherae Eleuthera is an island in the Bahamas, lying 50 miles (80 km) east of Nassau. ... Grand Bahama from space, June 1998 Grand Bahama is one of the northernmost of the islands of the Bahamas, and the closest major island to the United States, lying just 55 mi (90 km) off the coast of the state of Florida. ... (This article is about the island in the Bahamas. ...

Impact

On Grand Bahama Island, Wilma produced sustained winds of 155 km/h (95 mph) and a gust of 178 km/h (111 mph),^[4] as well as a storm surge of over 3.7 m (12 feet)^[1] and reportedly as high as 6.1 m (20 feet) along the southwestern portion of the island^[3] that reached about 305 m (1,000 feet) inland. The surge caused large scale flooding^[5] that washed away or destroyed about 800 homes.^[6] Significant damage was reported in coastal areas, with widespread destruction of roofs and vehicles along with uprooting of poles and trees.^[1] More than 7,000 people on the island were directly affected, many of whom had not fully recovered from Hurricanes Frances and Jeanne during the previous year. Power and telephone services were disrupted throughout the island.^[3] About 200 commercial buildings were extremely damaged and recommended by engineers not to be repaired,^[5] including a police station on the western end and several buildings in Freeport.^[7] 400 buildings throughout the island sustained damage to some degree, and more than 500 automobiles were flooded,^[5] including five police cars.^[7] The storm surge raised 54 corpses in 5 graveyards on the island, as well. Several resorts were closed for an extended period of time,^[5] all on the western portion of the island. One hotel, the Xanadu Beach and Marine Resort, reported about $3.5 million in damage (2005 USD, $3.7 million 2007 USD) to its property, including numerous destroyed windows designed to withstand hurricane force winds.^[8] Further to the east, numerous houses and commercial buildings lost their roofs in the city of Freeport. There, one serious traffic accident occurred when the hurricane overturned a bus, leaving the driver with multiple broken bones. Several other traffic accidents were reported in the area, though none were serious. During the passage of the hurricane, five cases of looting were reported, of which one person was caught in the process.^[7] Flooding from the hurricane killed one child on the island,^[3] the only casualty directly related to Wilma in the archipelago.^[1] Damage was estimated at about $100 million (2005 USD, $105 million 2007 USD) on the western portion of the island. Excluding the southwestern region of Grand Bahama, the majority of the island reported minor wind damage, and the eastern end of the island reported little to no damage.^[5] Freeport is a city and free trade zone on the island of Grand Bahama, located approximately 100 mi (160 km) east-northeast of Fort Lauderdale, South Florida and gives its name to a district of the Bahamas. ... Grand Bahama from space, June 1998 Grand Bahama is one of the northernmost of the islands of the Bahamas, and the closest major island to the United States, lying just 55 mi (90 km) off the coast of the state of Florida. ... ... B C D E F G H I 10 J K L M N O Categories: | | | | | ... Hurricane Jeanne was the tenth named storm, the seventh hurricane, and the fifth major hurricane of the 2004 Atlantic hurricane season. ... Freeport is a city and free trade zone on the island of Grand Bahama, located approximately 100 mi (160 km) east-northeast of Fort Lauderdale, South Florida and gives its name to a district of the Bahamas. ... Freeport is a city and free trade zone on the island of Grand Bahama, located approximately 100 mi (160 km) east-northeast of Fort Lauderdale, South Florida and gives its name to a district of the Bahamas. ...

Damage was also heavy on Bimini island, where heavy rainfall and a powerful storm surge caused severe damage to homes, trees, and utility poles.^[3] There, the hurricane severely damaged a hotel and eight waterfront homes. On Abaco, 8 homes and a governmental clinic were destroyed. The storm surge destroyed a government dock and caused flooding and erosion near the coast.^[9] New Providence and the Berry Islands also reported minor wind damage from Wilma, primarily from downed trees and power lines.^[3] Bimini Island from space, June 1998 Map of the Bahamas with the Biminis positioned center left (click to enlarge). ... The Abaco islands lie in the northern Bahamas and comprise the main islands of Great Abaco and Little Abaco, together with the smaller Wood Cay, Green Turtle Cay, Great Guana Cay, Gorda Cay, Elbow Cay, Man-o-War Cay, Strangers Cay, Umbrella Cay, Walkers Cay and Mores Island. ... (This article is about the island in the Bahamas. ... The Berry Islands or The Berries, are a chain of islands and a district of the Bahamas, covering about thirty square miles (78 km ) of the north western part of the Out Islands. ...

Throughout the Bahamas, Hurricane Wilma damaged or destroyed about 200 homes, displaced around 1,500 residents, and caused damage to public infrastructure such as schools, roads, health clinics, and electrical systems.^[10]

Aftermath

By about two days after the passage of Hurricane Wilma, 800 residents on Grand Bahama remained in shelters,^[3] including 65 families who lost their homes and stayed in a hotel set up as a government shelter in Freeport.^[5] On the island of Bimini, most residents who evacuated to shelters returned to their homes within two days of the hurricane.^[3] The Bahamian Red Cross quickly assessed the damage on Grand Bahama and Bimini, and successfully requested to be included under the federation's hurricane appeal for Central America. Local Red Cross chapters mobilized all available resources to assist the residents most affected. The Bahamian Red Cross began a 3 month program to distribute food and other items to 1,000 of the 3,500 affected families, primarily on Grand Bahama, with the remaining 2,500 families receiving assistance from the government and other organizations. Volunteers delivered building materials and provided water vouchers to those affected. In Nassau, the Red Cross disaster contingency stock sent a boat with food items, blankets, health kits, tarpaulins and water.^[11] About a week after the hurricane, the United States Agency for International Development began providing $50,000 (2005 USD, $53,000 2007 USD) to the Bahamian National Emergency Management Agency for the purchase and distribution of emergency supplies. The agency also provided $9,000 (2005 USD, $9,500 2007 USD) for locally-contracted helicopter assessments in the affected areas.^[10] Red Cross agencies throughout the Caribbean Sea provided hygienic kits, plastic sheeting, blankets and jerry cans.^[11] Grand Bahama from space, June 1998 Grand Bahama is one of the northernmost of the islands of the Bahamas, and the closest major island to the United States, lying just 55 mi (90 km) off the coast of the state of Florida. ... Freeport is a city and free trade zone on the island of Grand Bahama, located approximately 100 mi (160 km) east-northeast of Fort Lauderdale, South Florida and gives its name to a district of the Bahamas. ... Bimini Island from space, June 1998 Map of the Bahamas with the Biminis positioned center left (click to enlarge). ... The Red Cross and the Red Crescent emblems, the symbols from which the Movement derives its name. ... Map of Central America Central America is the central geographic region of the Americas. ... Map of the Bahamas Nassau is the capital city of the Bahamas. ... USAID logo The United States Agency for International Development (or USAID) is the U.S. government organization responsible for most non-military foreign aid. ... Map of Central America and the Caribbean A Caribbean beach in Isla Margarita, Venezuela. ...

Electricians restored power to the area around Freeport by the day after^[2] and much of the western portion of the island by about three weeks after the hurricane.^[5] Work crews quickly removed road debris and tree limbs, and by the day after the passage of Wilma most roads were cleared. As most people failed to prepare significantly for the hurricane, hardware stores and food markets were generally well-stocked.^[2] The passage of the hurricane left between 1,000 to 4,000 people and hundreds of animals homeless. In response, the Grand Bahama Humane Society distributed about 340 kg (750 lbs.) of dog food and treated or euthanized injured animals, depending on their condition.^[6] The earlier effects of Wilma on Mexico left many tourist areas closed, leading to a 10% increase in tourism in the Bahamas in December 2005 due to the unavailability in resorts such as Cancún.^[12] By about three weeks after the hurricane, the airport on Grand Bahama Island was reopened, and all resorts except for one were also reopened;^[13] the last resort was reopened about 2 months after the hurricane.^[14] Freeport is a city and free trade zone on the island of Grand Bahama, located approximately 100 mi (160 km) east-northeast of Fort Lauderdale, South Florida and gives its name to a district of the Bahamas. ... December 2005 : January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December- â†’ 31 December 2005 (Saturday) 25-year-old Scottish human rights worker Kate Burton and her parents are freed unharmed in the Gaza Strip by the Palestinian gunmen who kidnapped them two days earlier. ... CancÃºn (pronounced can-koon) is a coastal city in Mexicos easternmost state, Quintana Roo. ...

See also

Image File history File links Download high resolution version (1000x662, 320 KB) http://eol. ... This is a list of notable Atlantic hurricanes, subdivided by reason for notability. ... This is a list of all Atlantic hurricanes that have had their names retired. ... Image File history File links Commons-logo. ... Wikimedia Commons logo by Reid Beels The Wikimedia Commons (also called Commons or Wikicommons) is a repository of free content images, sound and other multimedia files. ...

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Richard J. Pasch, Eric S. Blake, Hugh D. Cobb III, and David P. Roberts (2006). Hurricane Wilma Tropical Cyclone Report. National Hurricane Center. Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
^ ^a ^b ^c Bahamas Vacation Guide (2005). Hurricane Wilma Ravages Grand Bahama. Retrieved on 2007-02-20.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h International Federation of Red Cross And Red Crescent Societies (2005). Caribbean: Hurricane Wilma Emergency Appeal No. 05EA024. ReliefWeb. Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
^ Jeff Masters (2005). Update on Hurricane Wilma - October 24, 2005. Retrieved on 2007-02-20.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Amy Royster. "Wilma's Waves Devastate Grand Bahama Communities", Palm Beach Post, 2005-12-04. Retrieved on 2007-02-19.
^ ^a ^b Elizabeth (Tip) Burrows (2005). Hurricane Wilma and Grand Bahama. Pegasus Foundation. Retrieved on 2007-02-20.
^ ^a ^b ^c Jeremy Francis (2005-10-27). Freeport Sustained Considerable Damage From Hurricane Wilma. Retrieved on 2007-02-20.
^ Lisa S. King (2005-10-31). Most Resorts Fared Well During Storm, But Not Xanadu Beach. Freeport News. Retrieved on 2007-02-20.
^ Kevin Deutsch. "Islanders Assess Damage After Sea Takes Homes", Palm Beach Post, 2005-11-01. Retrieved on 2007-02-19.
^ ^a ^b US Agency for International Development (2005). USAID provides assistance to the Bahamas hurricane victims. ReliefWeb. Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
^ ^a ^b Caribbean Red Cross Societies (2005). Red Cross responds to 'Wilma' on Grand Bahama. Retrieved on 2007-02-18.
^ Avery Johnson. "South Looks Up: Warm-weather destinations are seeing near-record highs for bookings, rates", Wall Street Journal, 2005-12-04. Retrieved on 2007-02-19.
^ Laszlo Buhasz. "Caribbean hot spots sweep up in hurricanes' wake", 2005-11-12. Retrieved on 2007-02-19.
^ Jane Wooldridge. "Hurricane Report", Richmond Times Dispatch, 2005-12-11. Retrieved on 2007-02-19.

Categories: Hurricane Wilma | Hurricanes in the Bahamas National Weather Service Logo The U.S. National Hurricane Center is the division of National Weather Services Tropical Prediction Center responsible for tracking and predicting the likely behavior of tropical depressions, tropical storms and hurricanes. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... February 18 is the 49th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... February 20 is the 51st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... The Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), is a organisation under the United Nations which was formed in December 1991 with the General Assembly Resolution 46/182. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... February 18 is the 49th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... February 20 is the 51st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... February 19 is the 50th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... February 20 is the 51st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... February 20 is the 51st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... February 20 is the 51st day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... February 19 is the 50th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... February 18 is the 49th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... February 18 is the 49th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... February 19 is the 50th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... February 19 is the 50th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the Anno Domini (common) era. ... February 19 is the 50th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. ...

Contents

Preparations GA_googleFillSlot("encyclopedia_square");

Impact

Aftermath

See also

References

Preparations