Wild Weather
Hurricane Emily
July 10 - 21, 2005 [ Category 5 ]
Emily developed from a tropical wave that moved across the west coast of Africa on
July 6, 2005. The wave was initially identified using satellite imagery and other meteorological
observations. By July 11th, the wave had become a tropical depression and quickly intensified
into a tropical storm by July 12th and hurricane by July 14th. Following its movement
into the Caribbean Seas, Hurricane Emily went through a series of ups and downs in
strength, strengthening to category 4, the weakening to a category 2, then strengthening
to a category 5.
Hurricane Emily, as a category 4 storm (with 135 mph max. sustained winds), moved over
Cozumel and the Yucatan peninsula, emerging into the Gulf of Mexico. After losing some
strength due to landfall, the warm Gulf waters allowed the storm to intensify to a
category 3 storm (with 130 mph max. sustained winds) before making landfall near San
Fernando, Mexico.
Emily was responsible for six direct deaths, including 1 in Grenada, and 5 in Jamaica.
Massive amounts of flooding and landslides destroyed thousands of homes and other buildings.
Use your mouse or finger and slide across the image to see the tracks of Emily.
Back to 2005 Atlantic Hurricane Season Highlights 
