Aftermath of Wilma, Key West Picking Up Pieces

No One, absolutely NO ONE, is ever ready for the full impacts of a hurricane. 

Key West, Florida has been spared for many years. It has had several hurricanes develop over them and others go around them. This time with Hurricane Wilma, 2005,  although the eye was 70 miles northwest, they thought they were mostly spared, until .... the surge came, twice.   First when the surge came from the southwest, second when Hurricane Wilma hit the southern coast of mainland Florida; the surge swung in from the northeast.  The last time such a surge had come was Hurricane Betsy in September, 1965.

Here is the path taken by Hurricane Wilma (Courtesy NOAA) (from google, Hurricane Wilma images).

Key West lies on the edge of the Coastal Shelf and very deep waters which has apparently protected it for many years.

Overall, the authorities through they were ready. Little did they know that so much land would be affected.

This aerial view from NASA, earth observatory shows an example of the flooding on a wetland/residential area.

















A breakdown of the land cover types is helpful to see the impact of the surge on the island.

 The infrastructure was highly impacted.  Very little of the area was not affected.  According to the surge location, most of the critical facilities were affected.

Just when they thought the coast was clear and the storm had past was when the surges came.  They were spared from the tornados although a water spout was spotted just 4 miles from shore.   This storm will heighten the awareness of Key West to be prepared.







Image courtesy of Bill Klipp at Hurrican Willma Key West Florida Photo Gallery at pbase.com







See also good article by Kennard "Chip" Kasper
"Hurricane Wilma in the Florida Keys"  for a blow by blow, NOAA description.
www.shr.noaa.gov/media/key/Research/wilma.pdf