Wilma's Wrath

SOUTH FLORIDA -- Almost 2.5 million people lost power when Hurricane Wilma whacked southeast Florida in late October. Early reports put Florida damage estimates from Wilma, which hit around Marco Island on the west coast before heading to the eastern part of the state, at up to $10 billion. The storm killed at least 21 people statewide. President Bush declared 20 counties a major disaster area.

Risk modeling company Eqecat estimates that Miami-Dade and Broward counties will account for 15% to 50% of total losses and Palm Beach will bear 5% to 30% of the loss estimates.
In Miami-Dade County: Almost a million people were without power. Both Miami International Airport and Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International lost electricity and were closed for days after the Category 3 storm. Winds knocked out the third rail at four locations along the county's 22-mile Metrorail system, closing it for days.
In Broward: Officials say Wilma was the worst storm to hit the county since 1950, when Hurricane King struck the area. Almost 863,000 county residents were left in the
dark after Wilma. Public schools were closed for two weeks after the storm.
In Palm Beach County: 663,500 were without power. Part of I-95 was closed after a sinkhole opened under the highway. Schools were closed for at least a week.
In the Keys: A storm surge flooded 60% of Key West. City officials estimate damage will total $100 million. Schools remained closed for a week.

Tags: Southeast