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20/10/2005
Evacuation as hurricane approaches Mexican coast
Parts of the northern and western coasts of Mexico are being evacuated as coastal areas of the Yucatan peninsula are threatened by Hurricane Wilma.
One of the largest hurricanes ever recorded, Hurricane Wilma is currently tracking slowly north at around 8mph and is expected to turn north-westwards before later turning eastwards towards Florida at the weekend.
The storm was generating 150mph winds on Thursday morning and has been downgraded from a Category 5 to a Category 4 storm. However, the storm which is ravaging around a record barometric low pressure for the Atlantic Basin region, currently measured at 900mbars, is forecast to increase in strength again over the next 24 hours.
The US National Weather Service has reported that hurricane force winds, greater than 150mph, extend 70 miles from the storm centre and that storm force winds reach out for 240 miles from the centre.
Heavy rains have deluged the island Haiti and several people have been killed by floods and mudslides.
Cuba is bracing itself for rainstorms that are forecast to drop up to 25 inches of rain in the mountainous regions of the island. Other areas are expecting up to 15 inches of rain from the hurricane.
On Thursday, Mexican authorities were beginning to evacuate the Cancun coastal resort which is in the high risk area.
The size of the storm and the associated storm surge, caused by seawater lifted into the low pressure area of the storm, represents a threat to low lying coastal areas in Florida.
US authorities have ordered the evacuation of all tourists and non-residents from the particularly vulnerable Florida Keys islands.
The hurricane is the twelfth of the season, and forecasters in the US who traditionally choose 21 names for tropical storms in the Atlantic, have run out of nominated names.
(SP/KMcA)
One of the largest hurricanes ever recorded, Hurricane Wilma is currently tracking slowly north at around 8mph and is expected to turn north-westwards before later turning eastwards towards Florida at the weekend.
The storm was generating 150mph winds on Thursday morning and has been downgraded from a Category 5 to a Category 4 storm. However, the storm which is ravaging around a record barometric low pressure for the Atlantic Basin region, currently measured at 900mbars, is forecast to increase in strength again over the next 24 hours.
The US National Weather Service has reported that hurricane force winds, greater than 150mph, extend 70 miles from the storm centre and that storm force winds reach out for 240 miles from the centre.
Heavy rains have deluged the island Haiti and several people have been killed by floods and mudslides.
Cuba is bracing itself for rainstorms that are forecast to drop up to 25 inches of rain in the mountainous regions of the island. Other areas are expecting up to 15 inches of rain from the hurricane.
On Thursday, Mexican authorities were beginning to evacuate the Cancun coastal resort which is in the high risk area.
The size of the storm and the associated storm surge, caused by seawater lifted into the low pressure area of the storm, represents a threat to low lying coastal areas in Florida.
US authorities have ordered the evacuation of all tourists and non-residents from the particularly vulnerable Florida Keys islands.
The hurricane is the twelfth of the season, and forecasters in the US who traditionally choose 21 names for tropical storms in the Atlantic, have run out of nominated names.
(SP/KMcA)
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22 September 2005
Mass evacuation in progress as Hurricane nears US
A mass evacuation is underway along parts of the Gulf coast of the US as Hurricane Rita is upgraded to a Category Five storm. Wind speeds of up to 175mph are forecast to hit the Texan coast as meteorologists track the course of the slowly advancing storm, one of the most intense ever to threaten the US.
Mass evacuation in progress as Hurricane nears US
A mass evacuation is underway along parts of the Gulf coast of the US as Hurricane Rita is upgraded to a Category Five storm. Wind speeds of up to 175mph are forecast to hit the Texan coast as meteorologists track the course of the slowly advancing storm, one of the most intense ever to threaten the US.
25 October 2005
Hurricane Wilma sweeps through Florida
Hurricane Wilma has left six people dead, tens of thousands of homes damaged and flooded, and millions of people without power as the huge hurricane swept across Florida leaving a swath of destruction.
Hurricane Wilma sweeps through Florida
Hurricane Wilma has left six people dead, tens of thousands of homes damaged and flooded, and millions of people without power as the huge hurricane swept across Florida leaving a swath of destruction.
07 November 2005
Major storm predicted to hit Scotland
Severe weather warnings are in place in northwest Scotland, as a major storm is predicted to hit the region later on today. The Met Office said that “exceptionally strong winds”, with gusts of between 70 – 90mph, were forecast to affect parts of Scotland, northwest of the Great Glen, on Monday evening and overnight.
Major storm predicted to hit Scotland
Severe weather warnings are in place in northwest Scotland, as a major storm is predicted to hit the region later on today. The Met Office said that “exceptionally strong winds”, with gusts of between 70 – 90mph, were forecast to affect parts of Scotland, northwest of the Great Glen, on Monday evening and overnight.
24 October 2005
Hurricane Wilma hits Florida
Hurricane Wilma hit Florida’s coast on Monday, after causing devastation in Mexico. The Category 3 storm has reportedly caused huge storm surges and up to 25cms of rain is believed to have fallen in parts of the Sunshine State. US news channels were reporting that one person had been killed due to the storm.
Hurricane Wilma hits Florida
Hurricane Wilma hit Florida’s coast on Monday, after causing devastation in Mexico. The Category 3 storm has reportedly caused huge storm surges and up to 25cms of rain is believed to have fallen in parts of the Sunshine State. US news channels were reporting that one person had been killed due to the storm.
23 September 2005
Bus blaze kills elderly passengers fleeing 'Rita'
As the mass evacuation from the encroaching hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico continued, a bus fire was reported to have killed at least 24 elderly people fleeing the area on Friday. The bus was destroyed in the blaze which caused a massive tailback on already congested main Interstate route just south of Dallas.
Bus blaze kills elderly passengers fleeing 'Rita'
As the mass evacuation from the encroaching hurricane in the Gulf of Mexico continued, a bus fire was reported to have killed at least 24 elderly people fleeing the area on Friday. The bus was destroyed in the blaze which caused a massive tailback on already congested main Interstate route just south of Dallas.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
