Hurricane Wilma - Central America
Disaster Overview
Hurricane Wilma became the most intense hurricane on record in the Atlantic Basin when its atmospheric (barometric) pressure was measured at 882 millibars on Wednesday, Oct. 19.
The storm system, which became the 21st named storm of the 2005 hurricane season on Monday, Oct. 17, gained strength becoming a Category 1 Hurricane on Tuesday, Oct. 18, and rapidly intensified overnight to become a Category 5 on Wednesday, Oct. 19. Coming just a week after Hurricane Stan, Wilma is affecting some of the same countries in the Caribbean and Central America. As of Friday, Oct. 21, Hurricane Wilma had caused at least 11 deaths in Haiti and Jamaica, as well as triggering mudslides and prompting the evacuation of thousands in Central America, the Caribbean and the United States.
Hurricane Wilma made landfall over Cozumel, Mexico, early on Oct. 21 as a Category 4 Hurricane with sustained wind speeds of 140 mph. The system seriously affected Mexico and Cuba throughout the weekend with extremely heavy rain, strong winds, storm surge and rough surf conditions as it moves further into the Gulf of Mexico.
Mexico, Cozumel, Playa del Carmen, Cancun, Isla Mujeres, and the city of Merida have seen extremely heavy rainfall and strong winds. Half of the island of Cozumel was said to be under water. Several regions have been affected by the heavy rains associated with both Hurricane Wilma as well as the recent passage of Hurricane Stan. In Jamaica, shelter occupancy has decreased and is expected to decline as conditions improve. The most-affected parishes are St. Catherine, Clarendon, Kingston and St. Andrew.
Wilma later turned to the north, moving over Cuba, and made landfall in the U.S. at Cape Romana, Fla., on Monday, Oct 24. It crossed the state rapidly as a Category 2 Hurricane before returning to the Atlantic Ocean and moving north along the U.S. coastline.
American Red Cross Response
The American Red Cross has contributed 4,500 hygiene kits to the Mexican Red Cross, and more than 2,000 hygiene kits to the Bahamas Red Cross Society. These kits include items to help families stay healthy after the storm, such as toothpaste, toothbrushes, soap, shampoo and other items. The kits are being sent from relief supplies that have been pre-positioned in Panama.
The American Red Cross is accepting inquiries for assistance in locating non-U.S. citizens for disaster-affected areas of Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico at this time. Persons being sought must have had permanent residence in an affected area, and must have been in regular contact with persons in the United States prior to the disaster.
The American Red Cross continues to closely monitor the situation, and will determine the most appropriate response based on additional requests for international assistance that may be issued by the affected National Societies, as well as any guidance received from the International Federation of Red Cross/Red Crescent Societies (the Federation) and other partners in the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement (the Movement).
A Coordinated Effort
The American Red Cross role in responding to an international disaster is different from its response to a disaster in the United States. It works in a coordinated manner with many global partners, taking into consideration how the organization can provide unique, specialized assistance in the areas where it can best help.
The American Red Cross works alongside the other Red Cross societies from around the world, and the Federation helps coordinate the response efforts of the various societies to minimize a duplication of efforts and ensure coverage of relief needs. |
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Understand International Red Cross Movement |
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Learn more about the American Red Cross Role in International Emergency Response |
Finding Missing Loved Ones
Inquiries concerning U.S. citizens who were living in or visiting a disaster-impacted area should be referred to the U.S. Department of State, Office of Overseas Citizens Services, at 1-888-407-4747.
Inquiries regarding non-U.S. citizens in areas affected by this disaster are being accepted for Cuba, El Salvador, Guatemala, and Mexico at this time. Persons being sought must have had permanent residence in an affected area, and must have been in regular contact with persons in the United States prior to the disaster. Inquiries may be submitted through your local American Red Cross chapter.
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| For inquiries about U.S. citizens living or traveling abroad: |
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Visit State Department Public Announcement: Hurricane Wilma/Mexico for more information |
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Call the State Department toll free at 1-888-407-4747, if calling from inside the U.S.
or 1-202-501-4444, if calling from overseas/outside the U.S. |
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Call
the U.S. Embassy in Mexico City
directly (international, long distance)
at 011-5255-5080-2000, ext 4417 |
| For inquiries about non-U.S. citizens: |
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Submit an inquiry through your local American Red Cross chapter. |
How to Support the Relief Efforts
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Donate to the International Response Fund |
You can help those affected by countless crises around the world each year by making a financial gift to the American Red Cross International Response Fund, which will provide immediate relief and long-term support through supplies, technical assistance and other support to help those in need. Making a financial contribution is the best way to help. To make a donation: |
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Call 1-800-HELP NOW or 1-800-257-7575 (Spanish) |
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Make at secure, online donation at www.redcross.org |
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Contact your local Red Cross chapter |
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Mail a Donation to:
American Red Cross
P.O. Box 37243
Washington, D.C. 20013
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The American Red Cross honors donor intent. If you wish to designate a donation for a specific disaster please do so at the time of donation.
NOTE: The Red Cross has a four-star rating from Charity Navigator for its effective use of donations. At least 91 cents of every dollar donated to the American Red Cross goes directly to assist disaster victims. |
About Offers to Volunteer
While the American Red Cross deeply appreciates the compassion and generosity of those who offer to volunteer internationally, the organization maintains a specially-trained team of relief workers experienced with responding to international disasters of this nature.
The American Red Cross does not anticipate a need for additional international volunteers at this time.
The Red Cross is a volunteer led and driven organization that responds to domestic disasters - big and small - on a daily basis. Red Cross volunteers help their neighbors recover from the so-called "silent disasters" such as house fires that don't make headlines even though they can be as devastating to the victims as large scale disasters. Red Cross volunteers also may register with their local chapters for deployment to help with relief efforts in response to large-scale (regional or national) disasters such as hurricanes.
To get involved and learn more about becoming a domestic volunteer, contact your local chapter. |
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Find your Local Red Cross Chapter |
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Or, visit VolunteerMatch.org to search for Red Cross volunteer opportunities in your area |
About Donations of Goods or Collected Items
Please remember that the American Red Cross is not able to accept small, individual donations or collections of items for emergency relief supplies. The decision to transport bulk donations from the U.S. is based solely on the needs identified by the relief operation and the availability of local resources. If you represent a company wishing to offer supplies in bulk, please contact your local Red Cross chapter.
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Read more About Collections of Goods and Individual Items |
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Find your Local Red Cross Chapter |
Media Inquiries
Please visit the American Red Cross Press Room on Redcross.org for the latest press releases, media advisories or statements, links to available news photos, video and public service announcements. |
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Visit the Press Room on Redcross.org |
NATIONAL and INTERNATIONAL Medial Requests ONLY: Please call Disaster Public Affairs |
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Call Disaster Public Affairs at 202-303-5551 |
LOCAL Media: Please contact the American Red Cross Chapter nearest you.
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Find the closest Red Cross Chapter |
Public Comments or Questions
Additional Resources
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