Effects of Hurricane Wilma in Florida
| Category 3 major hurricane (SSHWS/NWS) | |
Storm surge from Wilma on Key Haven, island suburb of Key West, Florida
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| Duration | October 22–25, 2005 |
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| Winds |
1-minute sustained: 120 mph (195 km/h) Gusts: 150 mph (240 km/h) |
| Pressure | 950 mbar (hPa); 28.05 inHg |
| Fatalities | 35 direct, 26 indirect |
| Damage | $20.6 billion (2005 USD) |
| Areas affected | Florida |
| Part of the 2005 Atlantic hurricane season | |
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The effects of Hurricane Wilma in Florida were catastrophic, becoming the second costliest Florida hurricane ever recorded. Hurricane Wilma was first evident near Jamaica and was classified as a hurricane on October 18. Initially, orange future prices soared on October 19, 2005. As the system drew closer, schools and government offices closed on October 21. Professional and college sports games were rescheduled during Wilma's advance towards Florida. Evacuations were ordered for southwestern Florida and the Keys. As the storm made landfall, a storm surge swept into coastal sections of southern Florida and high winds led to significant damage near and along Wilma's path, particularly to the power grid. Some locations were without power for 2–3 weeks after the storm. Wilma spawned ten tornadoes in Florida. At least 35 Wilma-related deaths were reported in the United States, all in Florida. Wilma was also blamed for at least 26 indirect deaths. Damage in Florida totaled $20.6 billion (2005 USD; $22.7 billion 2008 USD).
The National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued many tropical cyclone warnings and watches in anticipation of Wilma. First, a hurricane watch was posted for the Florida Keys including Dry Tortugas and Florida Bay at 15:00 UTC on October 22. Six hours later, NHC issued another hurricane watch for the west coast of Florida south of Longboat Key and on the east coast of Florida to the south of Titusville, including Lake Okeechobee. At 21:00 UTC on October 23, a tropical storm watch was put into effect on the west coast from Longboat Key northward to the Steinhatchee River and on the east coast from Titusville northward to Fernandina Beach. Early the following day, the hurricane watch was upgraded to a hurricane warning on the west coast and on the east coast from Jupiter Inlet southward, including Lake Okeechobee.
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