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Institute for Crisis, Disaster, and Risk Management Crisis and Emergency Management Newsletter Website |
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December
2005
Volume 9 - Number
3 |
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Hurricane Wilma passed over the island of Cozumel on October 21 as a category 4 hurricane with sustained winds of over 150 mph. Shortly after midnight on October 22, Wilma made official landfall near Playa del Carmen in the Mexican state of Quintana Roo with winds near 140 mph. Many areas experienced hurricane force winds for over 24 hours as the hurricane stalled over the Yucatán Peninsula, and some areas in Quintana Roo reported rainfall in excess of 23 inches. Wilma exited the peninsula on October 23 as a category 2 storm. Initial pictures and television reports of damage to Cancún showed extensive structural damage, severe flooding, downed trees and power lines, and scattered debris. Cozumel seemed to fair better with many broken windows, downed trees and power lines, and little in the way of structural damage to buildings. The cruise ports in Cozumel, however, were badly damaged and may take several months to repair. Telephone and electric services were completely knocked out by Wilma making communication in the affected areas very difficult. Initial estimates indicate that Wilma caused between $2 and $5 billion (USD) in total damage to the region. At least eight deaths can be attributed to Hurricane Wilma in Mexico (there were other deaths in Haiti). Four deaths were in Cozumel, one was in Cancún due to a window blowing out, and two others were in Playa del Carmen due to a gas explosion caused by high winds. The other death was reported in the state of Yucatán due to a falling tree. Local authorities have indicated that Hurricane Wilma affected 98% of the tourist infrastructure in the region as well as 75% of the people living in Quintana Roo. In Cancún alone, estimates are that 80% of the hotels suffered some form of damage. The Mexican government has said that the shutdown of tourist activity means a $15 million per day loss for the region. Hurricane Wilma also greatly affected the environment in and around Cancún and Cozumel. Approximately 90% of the white sand beaches along Cancún’s 15-mile long hotel strip were washed away by the pounding surf. Though plans for beach restoration are already in the works, there is no definite timeline, and estimates of the cost of beach restoration exceed $20 million. Much of the vegetation in the region was damaged by strong winds and salt spray. Additionally, one of the many coral reefs along the coast of the Yucatán Peninsula was severely damaged; parts of the reef were literally dragged out to sea. Mexico’s Protected Natural Areas Commission said that the 25-mile stretch of reef could take at least 100 years to recover. http://msnbc.msn.com/id/9956052/ http://www.quepasa.com/english/news/finances/wilma.decelerate.growth/385873.html http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Wilma http://www.statesman.com/news/content/auto/epaper/editions/monday/news_34560d0133a1a11b1021.html Star Tribune, Minneapolis, MN November 6, 2005 Edition, Travel pg 5G |