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HURRICANE 2005

Wilma Factsheet

Published: Oct 19, 2005

A collection of facts about historic Hurricane Wilma from Tampa Bay Online

Before making landfall, Hurricane Wilma has already proven itself to be historic. It has either tied or set a number of records. It has also contributed to making the tireless 2005 hurricane season historic as well.

+Wilma formed from Tropical Depression #24 on October 15.

+Because forecasters don't use Q, X, Y, or Z to name storms, Wilma is the last name on the list.

+That tied the record for the busiest hurricane season ever, set in 1933.

+Surrounded by fertile Caribbean waters, Wilma evolved into a storm with 36 hours.

+On Oct. 18, exactly one day after being named, Wilma tied another record by becoming the 12th hurricane of the 2005 season.

+There haven't been that many hurricanes in a single year since 1969.

+Amazingly, Wilma's winds accelerated from 75 mph to 175 mph in just 18 hours.

+It grew from a minimal Category 1 to a strong Category 5 on Oct. 19.

+The Haitian Government blames Wilma for at least 11 deaths due to flooding.

+Such rapid intensification is believed to be a record.