Hurricane Wilma formed toward the end of the 2005 hurricane season which wasthe most active hurricane season in recorded history. Twenty-eight tropicalstorms and hurricanes formed, and four reached Category 5 intensity on theSaffir-Simpson Scale. Never before in the framework of accurate records have somany powerful hurricanes formed in the Atlantic during one season. The Category5 storms during 2005 were Emily, Katrina, Rita and Wilma, with Wilma becomingthe most intense.Hurricane Wilma won a place in the record books when the storm's centralpressure dropped to 26.02 inches over the western Caribbean. Late on Oct. 23,the storm made landfall in South Florida as a Category 3 hurricane with 120-mphwinds. The damage to South Florida was just over $20 billion (2005 USD).
Interestingly enough, Tropical Storm Richard is now located in about the sameplace that Hurricane Wilma was in October 2005. Know for a fact, however, thatRichard will never become as powerful as Wilma did.
Story by AccuWeather.com Senior Meteorologist John Kocet.
