October 21, 2005

Wilma

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From FoxNews: Hurricane Wilma Makes Landfall; Floridians Begin to Evacuate.

Hurricane Wilma, lumbering but deadly and coming on the heels of several disastrous storms, officially made landfall late Friday afternoon.

The center of the storm's eye arrived at the Mexican island of Cozumel at 4:30 p.m. EDT, the National Hurricane Center in Miami said. Florida officials and residents were bracing for Wilma's arrival, expected on Monday.

The Category 4 storm killed 13 people in Haiti and Jamaica. The Cuban government evacuated nearly 370,000 people, and up to 3 feet of rain was expected in some parts of the island nation.

The storm was expected to hover over the Yucatan Peninsula for two more days while lashing at Cuba, before making its way toward the Sunshine State. ...

In Mexico on Friday, Wilma was laying waste to some of that country's prized resort towns. The storm's winds and surges popped out windows and clawed at beachfront hotels.

Meanwhile, Florida officials and residents were bracing for the storm's arrival. Evacuation orders were issued for the west coast town of Naples and a nearby island. Florida Keys residents also were asked to start leaving.

UPDATE --Oct. 22:Hurricane Wilma Holds Over Yucatan.

Posted by Forkum at October 21, 2005 05:06 PM
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