# Floridopers: The Wilma Watch Thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [October 18, 2005, 12:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-the-wilma-watch-thread/326734 "2005-10-18T12:18:54Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2005, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-the-wilma-watch-thread/326734/21 "2005-10-18T19:04:19Z")
I started covering it this morning, Shibb. Be assured that, should you get blown over the rainbow, I’ll be there chronicling it. ---
**Author:** ![Happy\_Lendervedder](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/happy_lendervedder/32/8488_2.png) [@Happy\_Lendervedder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Happy_Lendervedder)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2005, 7:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-the-wilma-watch-thread/326734/22 "2005-10-18T19:04:28Z")
> [@Kythereia](#): > > [NY Times Online](http://www.livejournal.com/userpic/36191557/761739) is reporting it might go up to a Category 4 by Saturday. Stay safe, all of you. ☹ I don’t think that’s the link you think it is. ---
**Author:** ![Kythereia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e8c25b/32.png) [@Kythereia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kythereia)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2005, 7:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-the-wilma-watch-thread/326734/23 "2005-10-18T19:13:03Z")
> [@Happy Lendervedder](#): > > I don’t think that’s the link you think it is. _dies of laughter_ Woops! 😃 OK, try [this one…](http://www.nytimes.com/2005/10/18/international/18cnd-wilma.html?hp&ex=1129694400&en=b7d5a7ad47671a28&ei=5094&partner=homepage) ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2005, 7:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-the-wilma-watch-thread/326734/24 "2005-10-18T19:24:24Z")
> [@Jonathan Chance](#): > > I started covering it this morning, Shibb. Be assured that, should you get blown over the rainbow, I’ll be there chronicling it. What, are you working for the Weather Channel now? Or are you a cub reporter working hard to get that big break? Just let us know if you need any quotes of local color. I’m sure I can come up with some stuff that will leave people scratching their melons and wondering if they’re reading _The Onion_. ---
**Author:** ![Clothahump](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/51bf81/32.png) [@Clothahump](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Clothahump)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2005, 8:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-the-wilma-watch-thread/326734/25 "2005-10-18T20:48:05Z")
This is just ducky. We’re flying into Orlando tomorrow and will be there for training and a tournament through the weekend. We dodged a bullet with Rita, and now we’re stepping into the line of fire for Wilma. This weekend should be…interesting. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2005, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-the-wilma-watch-thread/326734/26 "2005-10-18T21:10:45Z")
> [@Clothahump](#): > > This is just ducky. We’re flying into Orlando tomorrow and will be there for training and a tournament through the weekend. Sorry to hear that. What kind of training and tournament is it, anyway? With a little luck you might have decent weather for the first couple of days, maybe intermittent rain and a bit windier than normal. ---
**Author:** ![Carm6773](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/2bfe46/32.png) [@Carm6773](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Carm6773)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2005, 11:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-the-wilma-watch-thread/326734/27 "2005-10-18T23:04:22Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > FWIW, I don’t really mind the threat of hurricanes so much as the threat of the overuse of the term “hunker down”. So turn it into a drinking game. Take a shot everytime you hear it. Eventually, you’ll _want_ them to say it. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2005, 11:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-the-wilma-watch-thread/326734/28 "2005-10-18T23:06:47Z")
It’s still going across the southern part of the state. Central Florida may be okay. Still, the thing hasn’t hit the Yucatan peninsula yet. _Plenty_ of time for some cold front to pull it more northward. 8mph? That’s slow-moving, isn’t it, for a storm? ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2005, 11:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-the-wilma-watch-thread/326734/29 "2005-10-18T23:12:16Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > It’s still going across the southern part of the state. Central Florida may be okay. > > Still, the thing hasn’t hit the Yucatan peninsula yet. _Plenty_ of time for some cold front to pull it more northward. > > 8mph? That’s slow-moving, isn’t it, for a storm? I’m pretty sure that they said 3 mph yesterday, so it’s accelerating. IIRC most hurricanes move at more 15 mph +/-5. Way to early to declare any part of Florida in or out of the woods. Let’s look again late tomorrow or Thursday and that’ll give us an idea of our weekend plans. ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2005, 11:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-the-wilma-watch-thread/326734/30 "2005-10-18T23:19:28Z")
And meantime we scramble at work and deal with sales offices in NY who don’t understand why a little wind and rain is such a big deal. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2005, 11:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-the-wilma-watch-thread/326734/31 "2005-10-18T23:27:59Z")
> [@ladyfoxfyre](#): > > Awww…dammit. Now that I have all this stuff planned a stupid hurricane comes to ruin my fun. Way to go. > > -foxy _You_ have plans? Man, I’m flying into Tampa on Sunday, _in theory._ Argh. I have some job training that week, and if I can’t get there before 8 AM Monday, then I can’t go and that means I’ll have to _gasp_ work that week! :eek: I was all set to have an almost-vacation. :mad: ---
**Author:** ![YaWanna](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/bbce88/32.png) [@YaWanna](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YaWanna)\ **Post date:** [October 18, 2005, 11:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-the-wilma-watch-thread/326734/32 "2005-10-18T23:36:24Z")
I’m keeping my fingers crossed for Central Florida, too (my family lives there) - and for SoFla (I have a good friend near Ft. Lauderdale)! Go away, Wilma, you bitch! ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2005, 12:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-the-wilma-watch-thread/326734/33 "2005-10-19T00:10:29Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > What, are you working for the Weather Channel now? Or are you a cub reporter working hard to get that big break? Just let us know if you need any quotes of local color. I’m sure I can come up with some stuff that will leave people scratching their melons and wondering if they’re reading _The Onion_. I report on media coverage of disasters for a contract. In effect, I give my clients the sum total of how the media is treating the story. So give the Tribune some doozies, Shibb. If you get quoted I’ll make sure you’re in there! Me, I’m doing it by remote from Ohio. ---
**Author:** ![rocking\_chair](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rocking_chair/32/2918_2.png) [@rocking\_chair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rocking_chair)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2005, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-the-wilma-watch-thread/326734/34 "2005-10-19T00:13:16Z")
so far i haven’t heard any reports using fred’s scream for “wilma!!!” i’m expecting to hear it several times before this is over. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2005, 12:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-the-wilma-watch-thread/326734/35 "2005-10-19T00:15:15Z")
> [@Jonathan Chance](#): > > Me, I’m doing it by remote from Ohio. And you guys wonder why no one trusts the media. 😉 **Bouv** , you’d best call me for lunch if we’re still here next week. We can literally walk over to meet each other. ---
**Author:** ![Wile\_E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/c37758/32.png) [@Wile\_E](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wile_E)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2005, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-the-wilma-watch-thread/326734/36 "2005-10-19T00:41:29Z")
> [@ShibbOleth](#): > > … > FWIW, I don’t really mind the threat of hurricanes so much as the threat of the overuse of the term “hunker down”. > > 😃 I’m with you on that. It makes me not want to hunker down just to be contrary. It makes me want to run screaming into the streets “I WILL NOT GO GENTLY INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT AND I WILL NOT F@#$ING HUNKER DOWN!”. It makes me want to see Don Germaise get pelted with debris everytime he says it while standing in a storm and I giggle with glee just picturing that. ---
**Author:** ![Poonther](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Poonther](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poonther)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2005, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-the-wilma-watch-thread/326734/37 "2005-10-19T00:43:06Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > And meantime we scramble at work and deal with sales offices in NY who don’t understand why a little wind and rain is such a big deal. Hey I’m bettin’ that’s all you’ll get in your area too. I’m fairly certain AT THIS TIME that landfall will be south of a Sarasota to Vero Beach line. **Shibb** is correct that most hurricanes move around 10 to 15 mph, but many do meander around when they have no real steering currents. That is the case with Wilma currently. The official forecast calls for her to rapidly intensify in the next two days possibly to a Cat 4 (20% chance for that cat) and once she’s caught up in good steering currents (looks like Friday now) she’s gonna start moving fast. Knowledge is power with these things. Let’s fight ignorance and not get all in a panic just yeah…well those of you in far southwest and southeast FL can start a little panic dance. Last thing, as of 8pm 10.18, all models have Wilma going over or south of the big lake. ---
**Author:** ![ShibbOleth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/848f3c/32.png) [@ShibbOleth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ShibbOleth)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2005, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-the-wilma-watch-thread/326734/38 "2005-10-19T02:55:03Z")
The probability cone still has it anywhere from central Cuba to Dixie County. And that could change. As of the 11 pm NOAA updates it already has max sustained winds of 110 mph. Don’t know what the isobar readings are. But my how are little girl has grown so quickly. ---
**Author:** ![partlycloudy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/partlycloudy/32/3114_2.png) [@partlycloudy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/partlycloudy)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2005, 4:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-the-wilma-watch-thread/326734/39 "2005-10-19T04:08:33Z")
And she’s just gonna get stronger, from the looks of it. Looks like western Cuba is gonna get it pretty bad. They’re forcasting a possible Category 4 before Wilma even leaves the Caribbean! Tampa has gotten very lucky with hurricanes. I just hope it stays that way! 13 inches of rain in Santiago de Cuba so far! There are already a reported ten dead in Haiti from mudslides. Lets hope this isn’t another Stan! She’s still only moving at 8mph (faster than the 3mph she was doing yesterday, you’re right **Shibb** ), and it sounds like she’s packing pretty heavy rains. She’s supposed to start going faster as the Low that was over California moves eastward (right now it’s moving northeastward) and pulls her into the Gulf. The counter-clockwise rotation of winds from the low should push her eastward, from what I understand. She has a very small eye - 9 miles across. Which means she’ll probably start an eyewall replacement cycle, after which she will probably strengthen. ☹ I hope the dry air and maybe a bit of shear out over the Gulf will weaken her before she hits Florida. But unfortunately there’ll probably be a “panic period” when she hits Cat 4 somewhere out there and people in South & Central Fla will start losing their minds. Well, this is going to be a record-breaking season. Next up… Hurricane Alpha?? Tropical Storm Beta? It just ain’t right. (I realize the "she"s in this post are a bit excessive, sorry) ---
**Author:** ![Poonther](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6a8cbe/32.png) [@Poonther](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Poonther)\ **Post date:** [October 19, 2005, 5:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-the-wilma-watch-thread/326734/40 "2005-10-19T05:44:02Z")
Let the panic begin! As of 1am EDT on 10.19 our girl Wilma was upgraded to a Cat 4 w/a very impressive pressure of 901mb and substained winds of 150mph. NHC is predicting now that she’ll be a Cat 5 by the end of the day. Wilma’s pressure at the 2pm Tuesday report was only 975mb. What an impressive 74mb drop in about 12 hours! However, the track currently remains the same. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-the-wilma-watch-thread/326734.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/floridopers-the-wilma-watch-thread/326734.md?page=3)