The powerful hurricane struck Mexico and put the country’s emergency preparedness plan to the test.
On October 21, 2005, Hurricane Wilma made landfall on the coast of Quintana Roo. With sustained winds of up to 280 km/h (174 mph), the storm left over one million people affected across Mexico and caused economic damages totaling 30 billion pesos, according to official reports.
What shocked the world was how rapidly Wilma intensified—going from Category 2 to Category 5 in just 24 hours. With sustained winds peaking at 280 km/h, the storm quickly became one of the most fearsome hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic.
The hurricane had a devastating impact across multiple countries. In Mexico, four people lost their lives. Haiti reported 12 fatalities, Cuba confirmed four, The Bahamas recorded one death, and the United States saw the highest toll, with 31 lives lost.
A residence in the Hotel Zone, Cancún, Quintana Roo.
“The wind is absolutely terrifying. The few trees that were here have all been ripped out by the wind. There’s only one radio station still broadcasting—run by the local government—but the antenna’s barely holding up. It could fall at any moment.”
— Edna del Valle, resident of the Miramar Poniente neighborhood for over 10 years.