Hurricane Wilma

The popular Mexican resort towns of Playa del Carmen, Cozumel, and Cancún all suffered significant damage from Wilma, causing major loss of tourism income. ^At the end of the 2005 NFL season, the Seahawks All-Time Record is 232-249-0 (including playoffs). The economic impact isn't limited to the United States, however. Note: W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties. Furthermore, a long anticipated concert by the industrial rock band, Nine Inch Nails, expected to have taken place Monday, October 24th, was postponed to another date, yet to be announced. The team now alternates between the blue colored pants and white pants, although they usually wear all blue at home and all white when playing away. Due to roof damage caused by Wilma and the loss of power at the BankAtlantic Center, the Panthers also had to postpone their October 29 matchup against the Washington Capitals. The helmets also were changed from silver to the darker blue color after a fan poll was conducted.

The NHL rescheduled its Saturday, October 22 regular-season game between the Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers to Monday, December 5. The colors were modified to become a darker blue and a more neon green. West Virginia vs South Florida has been rescheduled for Saturday, December 3. In 2002, both the logo and the uniforms were redesigned. University of Miami has been rescheduled for Saturday, November 19. The helmet was metallic silver while the uniforms were dark blue with silver pants. Georgia Tech vs. When the Seahawks debuted in 1976, the team's logo was a stylized blue and green hawk's head based on Northwestern tribal art.

The NCAA postponed two college football games scheduled in south Florida on Saturday, October 22. Seattle fell short in its bid for its first NFL title, losing to the Pittsburgh Steelers at Super Bowl XL in Detroit on February 5, 2006 by a score of 21-10. The NFL moved up its regular-season game between Kansas City Chiefs and Miami Dolphins to 7pm on Friday, October 21 in preparation of the hurricane. On January 22nd, 2006 Seattle clinched its first Super Bowl berth in franchise history as they beat the Carolina Panthers 34-14. Damage to sugarcane crops is critical and widespread. The win ended the franchise's 21-year playoff victory drought. Also, Florida's sugar Industry was hard hit, the cropping season had already started and had to be halted indefinitely. Shaun Alexander suffered a concussion in the first quarter, but the Seahawks managed to prevail by a final score of 20-10.

As dynamic models have moved the storm's track east over Florida, oil futures eased as worries of another direct hit on the oil producing regions of the Gulf of Mexico subsided. After having the first round bye in the playoffs, the Seahawks hosted the Washington Redskins in the Divisional Playoff Round. ^[32]. C Robbie Tobeck and rookie MLB Lofa Tatupu were added to the Roster after injuries to Chicago's Brian Urlacher and Olin Kreutz. This is compounded by problems caused last year by Hurricanes Charley, Frances and Jeanne, which devastated Florida's orange crop, destroying many groves entirely. The players included MVP RB Shaun Alexander, QB Matt Hasselbeck, LT Walter Jones, LG Steve Hutchinson and FB Mack Strong. Wilma's potential for damage to orange trees in Florida could have an impact on several upcoming growing cycles. Seven Seahawks players were selected for the 2006 Pro Bowl, tying a franchise record set in 1984.

Orange juice futures reached the highest level in six years on Wednesday, October 19, 2005, closing up 2.9 cents at $1.118 per pound. Four days later, he was named the 2005 NFL MVP. Many people later admitted they underestimated Wilma's power (Category 3) as she approached South Florida (Wilma was expected to weaken to a Category 1 as she reached the east coast), and failed to take the precautions that they would have taken with a stronger storm. He also ended the season with the league's most rushing yards for the season with 1,880 yards. Communication was also difficult -- land lines were damaged, while cellular towers were either damaged, without power, or overloaded in capacity. On January 1, 2006, despite losing to the Green Bay Packers 23-17, Shaun Alexander broke Priest Holmes's record for most rushing touchdowns in a single season, with his 28th touchdown coming in the 2nd quarter of the game. Much of Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach counties were told to boil water. In addition, the schedule makers set a record with the first regular season game where the teams combined for at least 25 victories.

Gasoline was in high demand for cars and generators; six-hour waits were not uncommon, due to lack of power to pump the fuel. The game featured the highest scoring and winningest teams against each other, and each looking to set a franchise record for most wins in a season. Any traffic lights still standing were not working, causing an increase in traffic problems. Interestingly enough, the Colts-Seahawks game set records well before kickoff. Power outages in southeastern Florida, notably in Miami-Dade County, Broward County, and Palm Beach County, compounded the difficulties South Floridians faced following Wilma. The victory also clinched the top seed in the NFC playoffs for the Seahawks assuring them of a home playoff game during the weekend of January 14-15, 2006 against the lowest remaining NFC seed (which turned out to be the Washington Redskins). In addition, a tornado may have touched down in Miami-Dade County, causing damage to the South Beach Community Hospital. Shaun Alexander scored three touchdowns in the game and tied Priest Holmes for the NFL record for touchdowns in a season with 27.

Broward and Palm Beach counties were hit particularly hard by the many tornadoes in the western portion of the hurricane. On Christmas Eve, the Seahawks beat the Colts 28-13 setting the franchise record for wins in season with 13. Damage was widespread throughout South Florida. However, they wouldn't be denied as QB Matt Hasselbeck threw a game-winning 2-yard pass to WR Darrell Jackson, to end up with a 28-24 victory. This prompted many residents to switch service providers [31]. After the third quarter, the Seahawks trailed 24-21. Cable television and internet services as well as cell phone services were unavailable for up to 2 months in some areas. Coming into the second half, the score was tied at 14.

More than 20 days later, some residents and business owners remained without electric service. After smashing the Niners, the Seahawks traveled to The Coliseum to face the Tennessee Titans. Florida Power and Light, the largest electricity utility in the state, reported more than 3,241,000 customers had lost power, equivalent to approximately 6,000,000 people. At least four team records were set during this game, including the lowest yards ever allowed by a Seahawk defense at 113, the biggest two game margin of victory, the first time the team has posted three forty point wins in a season, and the franchise record for wins in a row at 9. Hurricane Wilma caused widespread destruction of critical infrastructure, including power, water and sewer systems. With some starters playing less than three quarters for the second game in a row, the victory put the Seahawks at 11-2 with three games remaining, just one win shy of their franchise record 12 wins (12-4 overall) in 1984. The airport has reported $12 million in damages, according to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. On December 11, 2005, the week after their Monday night rout of the Eagles, the Seahawks defeated the San Fransisco 49ers 41-3, making their margin of victory for the two-week period 80 points (team record), and marking the first time in team history that the Seahawks had recorded three forty point or better games in a season.

In Boca Raton, a city in southeastern Palm Beach County, the local Boca Raton Airport suffered extensive damage, including the collapse of two hangars, planes flipped over, and hangar doors blown in. When the game had finished, the Seahawks had handed the Eagles their 3rd worst defeat in team history (Seattle also handed the Eagles their 5th worst defeat since 1998, the last time the Seahawks played in Philadelphia). At least three deaths are blamed on Hurricane Wilma in Collier County and widespread wind and water damage is commonplace across the county. A fourth interception return by Michael Boulware fell just short of tying another Seahawks NFL record of four defensive scores in a single game, set during a 45-0 victory over the Kansas City Chiefs in 1984. Widespread roof damage is evident across the county outside of the City of Naples itself. On December 5, 2005, the Seahawks shut out the Philadelphia Eagles 42-0 with three defensive touchdowns (two interceptions, one fumble return) to tie the largest margin of victory mark in Monday Night Football history and set the mark for the greatest margin of victory in an MNF shutout, as well as setting the NFL record for scoring the most points with under 200 yards of offense. 90% of all mobile homes in East Naples have been destroyed, while 30% of the mobile homes in all of Collier County suffered the same fate. Louis Rams lost on December 4, 2005, the Seahawks clinched their second straight NFC West title after playing only 11 games.

There has been damage to the 90 high-rise condominiums in Coastal Naples, where some levels have been blown out completely by the high winds brough by the storm (much like the damage in downtown Miami and Fort Lauderdale). When the St. Out of the 170 signaled intersections in Collier County, 130 have been destroyed. The Seahawks won on a 36-yard Josh Brown field goal and the final score was 24-21. The Naples Airport was severely damaged by the hurricane, while areas like Immokalee and East Naples extreme and widespread roof damage to numerous homes and communities. With the score 21-21, opposing kicker Jay Feely missed three chances for a winning field goal (one as time expired in regulation and two in OT). The point of landfall, between Marco Island and Everglades City, is largely uninhabited but the communities around landfall suffered extreme damage. A week later, the Seahawks went home and played a close game with the eventual NFC East champion New York Giants.

Hundreds in the county, if not thousands, have been left homeless by the category three hurricane. Fortunately for the Seahawks, the Niners couldn't tie on the two-point conversion and Seattle held on for the win (27-25). The Naples Metropolitan Area received the brunt of Hurricane Wilma. The Niners started to rally, however, and in the final seconds, the 49ers got within two points with a 1-yard touchdown run by Maurice Hicks. Even while the center of Wilma was still a long way away from Florida, its effects were already being felt with its expansive outer bands. When the Seahawks flew to Candlestick Park to take on the division rival San Francisco 49ers, the Seahawks were leading 27-12 going into the fourth quarter. Some Miami high-rises also suffered severe damage during the storm. Afterwards, they went home and finished the sweep of their much-hated division rivals, the Rams, by the score of 31-16.

In the city of Fort Lauderdale, in Broward County, several highrise buildings suffered extensive damage, including the 14-floor Broward County School Board building and the Broward County Courthouse, which was forced to remain closed for two weeks as a result of the storm, along with Broward County Public Schools, which remained closed for two weeks. After their Week 8 bye, they then traveled to Tempe, Arizona and finished the sweep of the Cardinals by a score of 33-19. Key West was under 3 to 6 feet (1 to 2 metres) of water from the storm surge, and major flooding was reported throughout the Keys. The Seahawks won 13-10. Early reports suggested the damage from Wilma was extensive and widespread over South Florida due to winds and flooding. It wasn't settled until second-year DB Jordan Babineaux intercepted opposing QB Drew Bledsoe's pass for 25 yards, setting the stage for kicker Josh Brown's game-winning 50-yard field goal as time expired. ^[30]. When the Dallas Cowboys came to town the next week, the game came down to the wire.

^[29] The city of Havana was also without power and wind damage was reported as a result of winds up to 85 mph (140 km/h). The Seahawks easily won on the power of RB Shaun Alexander by a score of 42-10. Over 250 homes were heavily flooded and rescuers required scuba gear, inflatable rafts and amphibious vehicles to reach the most severely flooded areas. Afterwards, they went home for a Sunday night game against the hapless Houston Texans. Coastal flooding was reported in many areas due to Wilma's storm surge and flooding from the outer bands, particularly around Havana. Not only did the Seahawks win 37-31, but they also ended their four-game losing streak against them, which dated back to the late 2003 season. [28]. Louis Rams.

[27] It was the costliest natural disaster in Mexican history, according to local insurers. First, they went to the Edward Jones Dome to face their fierce division-rival, the St. Insured damage in Mexico is estimated at between $1-3 billion, which would likely translate to $2-6 billion (USD) in total damage. The Seahawks rebounded, however, and went on an eleven-game win streak. The destruction left behind by Wilma in the Yucatán has also severely damaged the tourist industry there, as the storm affected some of the tourist hot spots of Mexico. The game went into overtime and the Seahawks lost 20-17. [26]. Kicker Josh Brown missed a game winning field goal attempt late in regulation.

The road trip to Mérida was very dangerous and impassable for Taxi yet people still payed upwards of $200 for a ride. The following week, they were on the road against the Washington Redskins. US embasy told tourist to go to Mérida, the next day they changed their game plan because Mérida had become so packed with people. The following week at home, they dispatched the division rival Arizona 37-12. Buses have begun to come into Cancún from Mérida, where tourists are hoping to find flights home. In Week 2, their home-opener was against the same team that they beat on the last game of the 2004 regular season, the Atlanta Falcons (21-18). Thousands of tourists remain stranded in shelters, and the priority is sending them home now, according to President Vicente Fox. They lost their first game of the season on the road against the Jacksonville Jaguars 26-14.

After Wilma passed, there was a sense of desperation that developed in the region, due to the fact that people were being held in shelters due to the extensive damage. The Seahawks got off to a rocky start on their 2005 campaign but it would end with their first Super Bowl appearance. ^[25]. Louis Rams. There have also been extensive reports of looting of many businesses in the Yucatán, particularly in Cancún. They lost the first home playoff game at Qwest Field to the St. Communication is limited at this point as telephone and electric services are completely out in the affected areas. The Seahawks also won their third division championship in 2004, when they claimed the NFC West title.

It is comparable to the scene after Hurricane Emily back in July 2005, a storm of similar intensity but faster moving. Some current players were either very young children or not even born when the last 49ers shutout occurred. On Cozumel, the damage is extensive, but not as catastrophic as originally feared according to a witness, with many broken windows, fallen trees and power lines but less in the way of structural damage. The 49ers were in a position to score in the 4th quarter, but an interception and a fumble recovery sealed their fate. The Governor of Quintana Roo, Félix González Canto, said in an interview: "Never in the history of Quintana Roo have we seen a storm like this." ^[24]. This marked the end of the 49ers' league record 27 year streak without a shutout - the last such game being against Atlanta in 1977 (7-0). ^[23]. On September 26, 2004 the Seahawks shutout the San Francisco 49ers 34-0.

^[22] One gymnasium used as a shelter lost its roof, which forced the evacuation of more than 1,000 people staying there. The playoff game would go into overtime, where quarterback Hasselback made the prediction "we want the ball, and we're going to score." Unfortunately for Seattle, an Al Harris interception returned for a TD sealed the Seahawks fate and they were out of the playoffs again. Rainfall amounts in excess of 23 inches (590 mm) were reported in several areas, with Isla Mujeres reporting 64 inches (1,637mm) — three times what Hurricane Gilbert dropped. They went to the playoffs where they would face Holmgren's former team, the Green Bay Packers. Several homes had also collapsed. The Seahawks responded by carrying over the momentum from 2002 by finishing with a 10-6 record and a perfect record at home of 8-0. However, according to pictures and television reports, there is extensive structural damage throughout the Cancún area, as well as significant flooding and many downed trees and power lines and scattered debris. Before the 2003 season, Holmgren decided to step down as general manager so that he could concentrate exclusively on improving the team.

Information on damage remains unclear. But the team finished with a 7-9 record.
. He would end the season on a 3 game winning streak and Shaun Alexander lead the NFC with 18 touchdowns. Heavy damage to coastal areas was reported, and parts of the northwestern area of the island were washed out from the surge. The year would prove to be one of ups-and-downs as Dilfer was injured in Week 7 and Hasselbeck became the starting QB. The northwestern Bahamas, particularly Grand Bahama Island, received a storm surge that was reported as high as 15 feet in some areas. This was because of the addition of the expansion team Houston Texans and to achieve parity among the divisions.

poisoning, illnesses, waiting for help). When the Seahawks left Husky Stadium at the end of the 2001 season they were part of the AFC West but when they moved into Seahawks Stadium they were now part of the NFC West. Indirect deaths indicate those caused by hurricane-related accidents (including car accidents, fires or other incidents), as well as clean-up and evacuation incidents and health issues (e.g. Big changes were afoot in 2002. Direct deaths indicate those caused by the direct effects of the winds, flooding, tornadoes, storm surge or oceanic effects of Wilma. QB Trent Dilfer was signed and won his first four games and the Seahawks finished the 2001 season with a 9-7 record but didn't make the playoffs. [17] [18] [19] [20] [21]. But Hasselbeck struggled in the first half of the season compiling a 5-7 record.

Wilma was also blamed for at least 26 indirect deaths. Holmgren then traded for Green Bay Packers backup QB Matt Hasselbeck and made him the starting QB. In addition, a drowning was reported on Maule Lake in northern Miami-Dade County from a capsized boat. But QB Jon Kitna was let go after the 2000 season and a 6-10 record. ^[16] Three more direct deaths were reported in Florida, one in rural Collier County and two in Palm Beach County, all due to wind-blown debris. The Seahawks drafted RB Shaun Alexander in 2000 draft as their RB of the future. CNN reports that a Coral Springs man who was inspecting damage during the eye of the hurricane was killed by a falling tree, according to a Broward County official. For the 2000-2001 seasons the Seahawks moved back to Husky Stadium while their new stadium was being built.

At least 35 Hurricane Wilma-related deaths were reported in the United States, all in Florida. But they lost 20-17 to Dan Marino and the Miami Dolphins after leading the game 17-13 in the fourth quarter. ^[15]. Holmgren would lead the Seahawks to a division title and to the playoffs in his first year there. In Cuba, a bus carrying evacuees crashed, killing four people, including three foreign tourists. With the addition of a new stadium, new head coach and general manager, Mike Holmgren, a new era began for the Seahawks. ^[14]. In 1999 the voters approved the ballot measure to allow the Seahawks to build a brand new stadium to replace the aging Kingdome.

Another death was reported in the state of Yucatán due to a falling tree, but no other details were available. Vinny Testaverde's "Phantom Touchdown" decided the game; a legendary officiating error that became a primary factor in the NFL's reinstatement of instant replay. Four deaths have also been reported on Cozumel and another in Cancún due to wind blowing a window out. Dennis Erickson was fired at the end of the 1998 season after losing to the New York Jets and missing the playoffs. Two were in the Playa del Carmen area due to a gas explosion caused by the strong winds. As a result of the change in ownership and management, Tom Flores resigned in 1998 and was replaced by Bob Whitsitt. At least eight deaths were reported in Mexico. The other Kingdome tenants, the Seattle Mariners, were building a brand new stadium, and the Seahawks felt there was no good reason to remain in the decrepit Kingdome.

^[13]. Allen bought the team in 1997 after funding a special election on stadium funding. Almost 250 people were in emergency shelters on the island. This grassroots effort succeeded when Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen purchased an option to buy the team. It pounded the island for a third day on October 18, 2005, flooding several low-lying communities and triggering mudslides that blocked roads and damaged several homes. Grassroots groups like Save Our Seahawks soon formed to pressure the NFL, Behring, and local officials to stop the move. Wilma claimed one death in Jamaica as a tropical depression on Sunday, October 16. In January 1996, Seahawks owner Ken Behring announced that he was moving the franchise to Los Angeles where the team would play at Anaheim Stadium.

^[12]. He was replaced by University of Miami coach Dennis Erickson. Mudslides were triggered from the outer bands in Haiti, killing at least 12 people. Upon returning to the Kingdome, the team finished with a 6-10 record; Tom Flores resigned his coaching position and returned to his general manager duties. The last places to issue this warning sat within the gap between bands as tornadoes were observed as far north as Sumter, Marion, Pasco, and Polk Counties. The Seahawks moved to nearby Husky Stadium on the campus of the University of Washington for 3 games after an acoustic tile fell inside the Kingdome in 1994. Anticipating high winds all public school districts south of Marion closed their schools on Monday, October 24 in order to prevent possible harm to county employees and students. After struggling in Seattle for 3 seasons he was traded to the Chicago Bears after the 1996 season.

^[11]. In 1993 the Seahawks drafted Rick Mirer, with the second pick in the draft, in hopes that he would be able to be the franchise's quarterback of the future. Curfews were put in place for several cities in Lee and Collier counties. The only bright spot for the 1992 season was defensive tackle Cortez Kennedy being declared NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Hurricane shelters in the area were opened. 1992 would also prove to be the Seahawks' worst year ever when they finished 2-14. Other areas that were included in the mandatory evacuation were Seagate, Parkshore, The Moorings, Coquina Sands, Olde Naples, Aqualane Shores, Port Royal and Royal Harbour. Longtime quarterback Dave Krieg left in 1992 and was replaced by three different quarterbacks (first-round pick Dan McGwire, Stan Gelbaugh and Kelly Stouffer).

Mandatory evacuations were in effect for all Collier County residents living West or South of US 41. Team president/GM Tom Flores assumed the head coaching duties for the 1992 season. All campuses of the University of South Florida, the University of Tampa and the University of Central Florida were closed on Monday, October 24. After finishing with a 7-9 record, he resigned to rejoin the Los Angeles Rams. Petersburg, Florida also evacuated by 5 pm EDT on October 20. 1991 would be Chuck Knox's last year as head coach of the Seahawks. Eckerd College in St. These years would prove to be the most tumultuous of the franchise's history so far.

Florida Gulf Coast University in Fort Myers completed an evacuation; classes were canceled until further notice. A year later he would name former Los Angeles Raiders head coach Tom Flores team president and general manager. ^[10]. In 1988, Ken Behring purchased the club from the original owners, the Nordstrom Family. The schools were closed to "allow parents and staff to prepare for the storm and potential evacuation", and also allowed "for needed preparation of schools to be used as hurricane shelters." The schools remained closed on Monday, October 24 as the hurricane made landfall. Despite the 1983 season ending on a sour note, it was the first breakthrough season for the Seahawks, because Curt Warner was named AFC Rookie Of The Year and Chuck Knox was named AFC Coach Of The Year. Also in Florida, all Collier County public schools were declared closed for Friday, October 21. The Seahawks' miracle season ended in the AFC Championship as they lost to the eventual Super Bowl XVIII champion Los Angeles Raiders 30-14.

At least 300 Keys evacuees were housed at the Monroe County shelter at Florida International University in Miami-Dade County ^[9]. The next week at the Miami Orange Bowl the Seahawks drove 66 yards in 5 plays that ended with a game-winning touchdown for the Seahawks' 27-20 victory over the Miami Dolphins and their rookie quarterback Dan Marino. County offices, schools and courts were closed Monday, October 24. In the wild-card playoffs the Seahawks shut down the Denver Broncos and their rookie quarterback John Elway 31-7. However, reports suggest that as many as 80% of residents may have ignored the evacuation order. They would win 2 of the next 3 games to earn their first ever playoff berth. A mandatory evacuation of residents was ordered for the Florida Keys in Monroe County. Then in week 13, the Seahawks beat the Kansas City Chiefs 51-48 at the Kingdome to start their winning ways.

^[8]. In 1983 the Seahawks were battling for a playoff berth with a 6-6 record. In all, over 368,000 people were ordered to evacuate. After a disappointing 1982 season (which was shortened because of a players' strike), the Seahawks moved interim coach Mike McCormack back into the front office and hired Chuck Knox as their head coach. In Cuba, preparations were made to evacuate four western provinces, including the Isle of Youth ^[7]. Interim coach Mike McCormack would finish out the rest of the season and the Seahawks compiled a 4-5 record. In El Salvador, the National Emergency Committee was activated. In the strike-shortened season of 1982, the Seahawks fired their first coach, Jack Patera, after losing their first two games.

In Nicaragua, civil organizations were ordered to make hurricane preparations. In 1981, when the Seahawks lost five of their first six games on their way to a 6-10 record, Steve Largent had another stellar season with 1,224 receiving yards. ^[6]. However, the team rebounded from that embarrassment to finish the season with a 9-7 record. In neighboring Yucatán, classes were also suspended in 18 coastal municipalities. In 1979, the Seahawks set the NFL record for the lowest total offense in one game (minus 7 yards) in a 24-0 loss to the Los Angeles Rams at the Kingdome. Classes were suspended in the state's northern municipalities and residents of coastal areas were advised to take refuge further inland; tourists in the resort city of Cancún and its adjacent islands were told to return to their places of origin or head inland. In 1978, the Seahawks acheived their first winning season with a 9-7 record as WR Steve Largent finished second in the NFL with 1,168 receiving yards and Jack Patera was named NFL Coach of the Year.

Quintana Roo government officials declared a red alert on the evening of Wednesday, October 19. The 1977 season highlight happened on October 30 when quarterback Jim Zorn came back from an injury to throw four touchdown passes in a 56-17 win over the Buffalo Bills at the Kingdome. On October 25, the storm gradually began weakening and was classified extratropical late in the afternoon, south of Nova Scotia, still at hurricane strength and affecting a large area of land and ocean with stormy conditions. On November 7 they won their first home game in a 30-13 victory over the Atlanta Falcons. Unexpectedly, Wilma strengthened again over the Gulf Stream and again became a Category 3 hurricane north of the Bahamas, having regained all the strength it lost within 12 hours. The franchise's first win came on October 17 when they beat the Tampa Bay Buccaneers 13-10 at Tampa Bay. Passing over the Florida peninsula, Wilma weakened slightly to a Category 2 hurricane, its strength when it exited Florida and entered the Atlantic about six hours later. That drought was ended with a 20-10 victory over the Washington Redskins in the 2005 playoffs.

At landfall in Florida, Wilma had sustained winds of 120 mph (195 km/h). Before 2005, Seattle had the longest drought since its last playoff win of any NFL team, going back to the 1984 season. The reintensification of Hurricane Wilma is attributed to its interaction with the warm Loop Current in the Gulf. The team set two franchise records with an 11-game winning streak and 13 regular-season wins in 2005. Despite encountering significant wind shear in the Gulf of Mexico, Hurricane Wilma had regained some strength before making its third landfall just north of Everglades City, Florida, near Cape Romano, at 6:30 am EDT October 24 (10:30 UTC) as a Category 3 hurricane. Seattle has won four division titles in their franchise history: the 1988 and 1999 AFC West titles, and the 2004 and 2005 NFC West titles. Many houses were flooded with 1 to 2 feet of seawater. The original AFC West teams (Broncos, Chargers, Chiefs and Raiders) were original AFL franchises and the realignment preserved those natural rivalries.

Most streets on Key West and nearby islands were flooded with at least 3' of seawater that destroyed tens of thousands of vehicles. This realignment also allowed the NFL to restore the NFC East and the AFC West to their original post-merger rosters. After the hurricane had passed, a storm surge of up to 10 feet from the Gulf of Mexico completely inundated a large portion of the lower Keys. In 2002, the Seahawks were returned to the NFC West as part of an NFL realignment plan that gave each conference four balanced divisions of four teams each. on Monday, October 24. This realignment was dictated by the league as part of the 1976 expansion plan, so that both expansion teams could play each other twice and every other NFL franchise once during their first two seasons. The center of the eye was directly over the metropolitan areas of South Florida at 10:30 a.m. After one season, Seattle switched conferences with Tampa Bay and joined the AFC West.

Several cities in the South Florida Metropolitan Area, which includes Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami, suffered severe damage as a result of the intense winds of the rapidly moving system. The franchise began play in 1976 in the NFC West division. The storm made landfall on the southwest coast of Florida and cut a diagonal swath across the southern portion of the Florida peninsula, with the northern part of the eye wall crossing into south and central Palm Beach County. The Seahawks are the only NFL team to switch conferences twice in the post-merger era. The storm's eye was now approximately 35 miles (56 kilometres) in diameter. The Seahawks were defeated by the Los Angeles Raiders in the 1983 AFC championship game. Hurricane Wilma's southeast eyewall passed the near the island of Key West in the lower Florida Keys early on the morning of October 24, 2005. Seattle is the only NFL team to play in both the AFC and NFC championship games.

The hurricane began accelerating in the early morning of October 23, exiting the northeast tip of the Yucatán Peninsula and entering the Gulf of Mexico as a Category 2 hurricane. . Some portions of the Yucatán Peninsula experienced hurricane-force winds for well over 24 hours. The Seahawks have one Super Bowl appearance. The eye slowly drifted northward, with the center passing just to the west of Cancún, Quintana Roo. The team, along with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, joined the NFL in 1976 as expansion teams. Portions of the island of Cozumel experienced the calm eye of Wilma for several hours, with some blue skies and sunshine visible at times. They currently belong to the Western Division of the National Football Conference (NFC) in the National Football League (NFL).

The hurricane's eye first passed over the island of Cozumel, and then made official landfall near Playa del Carmen in the state of Quintana Roo around midnight on October 22 EDT, with winds near 140 mph. The Seattle Seahawks are a professional American football team based in Seattle, Washington. On October 21, Hurricane Wilma made landfall on Mexico's Yucatán Peninsula as a powerful Category four hurricane, with winds over 150 mph. National Football League (1976-present). These wind speeds indicate that the low ambient pressure surrounding Wilma caused the 882 mb (26.05 inches) pressure to be less significant, involving a lesser pressure gradient, than under normal circumstances. Paul Allen: 1997 - present. Before Wilma, no storm had recorded pressure less than 900 mb (26.58 inches) without being at Category 5. Ken Behring: 1988 - 96.

(In comparison, Hurricane Gilbert, the previous Atlantic record holder, had a pressure of 888 mb (26.22 inches) and also had winds of 185 mph.) In fact, at one point after Wilma’s period of peak intensity, it had a pressure of 894 mb (26.40 inches) but was actually below Category 5, with winds of just 155 mph. John Nordstrom: 1976 - 88. 185 mph may seem incredibly fast, but for an 882 mb (26.05 inches) hurricane it is actually quite slow. Mike Holmgren: 1999 - present. However, Wilma's winds were somewhat slower than the 196 mph implied by an 8 on the Dvorak scale. Dennis Erickson: 1995 - 98. Such a conversion would suggest that Wilma was more intense than Tip, were normal considerations in play. Tom Flores: 1992 - 94.

Indeed, under normal circumstances the Dvorak matrix would equate an 890 mb storm in the Atlantic basin -- a CI number of 8 -- with an 858 mb storm in the Pacific. Chuck Knox: 1983 - 91. These are closer to ambient pressures in the northwest Pacific basin. Mike McCormack: 1982 (replaced Patera after two games). Hurricane Wilma existed within an area of ambient pressure that was unusually low for the Atlantic basin, with ambient pressures below 1010 mb. Jack Patera: 1976 - 82. The cyclone must be more intense to get its pressure commensurately lower, and its larger pressure gradient would make its winds faster. Dan McGwire.

If two cyclones have the same minimum pressure, but one is in an area of higher ambient pressure than the other, it is in fact stronger. Fredd Young. The greater the gradient, the faster the winds generated. Charle Young. The change in pressure over a distance, the pressure gradient, causes hurricane winds. Williams. The minimum central pressure in a tropical cyclone is the best indicator of intensity, because pressure can be precisely measured while wind speeds have to be estimated, but more importantly, because the difference between a hurricane's low central pressure and the pressure of the surrounding environment is what drives the hurricane's strength. John L.

Super Typhoon Tip is the most intense tropical cyclone on record with a central pressure of 870 mbar (25.69 inHg). Ricky Watters. While Wilma was the most intense hurricane (a tropical cyclone in the Atlantic, Central Pacific or Eastern Pacific basins) ever recorded, there have been many more-intense typhoons in the Pacific (see link in the next section). Chris Warren. Wilma was the first hurricane ever in the Atlantic Basin (and possibly the first tropical cyclone in any basin), to have a central pressure below 900 mbar (26.58 inHg) while at Category 4 intensity (in fact, only two other Atlantic hurricanes had lower recorded central pressures than Wilma's at this point: the previous record holder, Hurricane Gilbert of 1988, and the Labor Day Hurricane of 1935). Shawn Springs. By 11 pm EDT (03:00 UTC October 20), Wilma's pressure had risen to 894 mbar (26.40 inHg) as the hurricane weakened to Category 4, with winds of 155 mph (250 km/h). Eugene Robinson.

The pressure dropped further to 882 mbar (26.045 InHg) three hours later before rising slowly in the afternoon (while the storm remained a Category 5 hurricane). Jerry Rice. Shortly thereafter, Wilma set the record for the lowest central pressure recorded in an Atlantic hurricane when the pressure dropped to 884 mbar (26.10 inHg) at 8 am EDT (12:00 UTC) on October 19. John Randle. ^[5]. Rufus Porter. During its intensification on October 19, the hurricane's eye shrank to as small as 1.5 to 2.0 nautical miles in diameter, becoming one of the smallest eyes ever seen in a tropical cyclone. Joe Nash.

With Hurricanes Wilma, Katrina and Rita, 2005 became the first year on record in which three Category 5 hurricanes developed in the Atlantic basin. Warren Moon. ^[4]. Cortez Kennedy. The global record deepening is 100 mbar (hPa) by Super Typhoon Forrest in 1983. Franco Harris. Wilma's rapid deepending set a new record for the Atlantic basin, and is one of the most rapid deepening phases ever undergone by a tropical cyclone anywhere on Earth. Jacob Green.

(In comparison, Hurricane Gilbert of 1988 – the previous recordholder for lowest Atlantic pressure – recorded a 78 mbar (2.30 inHg) pressure drop in a 24 hour period for a 3 mbar/h pressure drop.). Joey Galloway. In the 24-hour period from 8 am EDT October 18 (12:00 UTC) to the following morning, the pressure fell 90 mbar (2.65 inHg) and Wilma strengthened from a strong tropical storm with 70 mph (110 km/h) winds to a powerful Category 5 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph (295 km/h)^[3]. Dan Doornink. Over a 10-hour period Hurricane Hunter aircraft measured a pressure drop of 78 mbar (2.30 inHg). Chad Brown. Hurricane Wilma began to intensify explosively at an incredible rate during late afternoon on October 18 around 4 pm EDT. Brian Bosworth.

The 12th hurricane of the season, Wilma tied the record set in 1969 for most storms of hurricane strength in one season. Brian Blades. Moving slowly over warm water with little wind shear, Wilma strengthened steadily and became a hurricane on October 18. Chuck Knox, Head Coach, 1983 - 91 (Inducted 2005). With Wilma, the 2005 hurricane season tied the record for most storms in a season with the 1933 season. 17 Dave Krieg, QB, 1980 - 91 (Inducted 2004). The storm was named "Wilma," the first time the 'W' name was used since alphabetical naming began in 1950. 45 Kenny Easley, S, 1981 - 87 (Inducted 2002).

24 reached tropical storm strength at 5 am EDT October 17 (09:00 UTC). 79 Jacob Green, DE, 1980 - 91 (Inducted 1995). T.D. 28 Curt Warner, RB, 1983 - 89 (Inducted 1993, not to be confused with later quarterback Kurt Warner). The area of disturbed weather southwest of Jamaica slowly organized into Tropical Depression 24 on October 15. Pete Gross, the "original" voice of the Seahawks, 1976 - 92, passed away in December, 1992 due to cancer (Inducted November, 1992 just two days before his passing). In the second week of October 2005, a large area of low pressure with several centers of thunderstorm activity developed over the western Atlantic and eastern Caribbean. 22 Dave Brown, CB, 1976 - 86 (Inducted 1992).

. 10 Jim Zorn, QB, 1976 - 84 (Inducted 1991). Wilma also affected eleven countries with winds or rainfall, more than any other hurricane in recent history. 80 Steve Largent, WR, 1976 - 89 (Inducted 1989). history. 80 Steve Largent (brought out of retirement for a portion of the 2004 season for Jerry Rice, who received Largent's blessing). At least 62 deaths have been reported, and damage is estimated at $16-20 billion ($12.2 billion in the US) (2005 US dollars) [2], ranking Wilma among the top 10 costliest hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic and the sixth costliest storm in U.S. 12 "The Fans", dedicated to Seahawks fans, the so-called "12th man".

state of Florida. Warren Moon. Wilma made several landfalls, with the most destructive effects felt in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico, Cuba, and the U.S. Steve Largent (also a former member of the United States House of Representatives). Wilma was the second 21st storm in any season, and the earliest-forming 21st storm by nearly a month. Franco Harris. It was the only time three Category 5 hurricanes formed in the Atlantic in one year, and Wilma was only the third Category 5 to develop in the month of October. Carl Eller.

At its peak, it was the most intense tropical cyclone ever recorded in the Atlantic basin. Seahawks Stadium (2002-2003). Wilma set numerous records for both strength and seasonal activity. a.k.a. Hurricane Wilma was the twenty-first named storm, thirteenth hurricane, and sixth major hurricane, and third Category 5 of the record-breaking 2005 Atlantic hurricane season. Qwest Field (2002-present)