Wilma weakens to Category-2 storm; one death reported

NAPLES, Fla. (AP) -- Hurricane Wilma plowed into southwest Florida early Monday with howling 125 mph winds and dashed across the state to the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area, shattering windows, peeling away roofs and knocking out power to millions of people. At least one death in Florida was blamed on the storm.

By 11 a.m., Wilma's winds had dropped to 105 mph and the hurricane was centered out over the Atlantic, about 15 miles northeast of West Palm Beach. But the big storm was still slamming the state. Hurricane-force winds of 74 mph or more extended up to 100 miles from the center, and tropical storm-force winds over 39 mph stretched up to 260 miles.

The same storm that brought ruin over the weekend to resort towns along Mexico's Yucatan Coast came ashore in Florida as a strong Category 3 hurricane, but within hours had weakened into a Category 2 with winds of 105 mph.

As it made its away across the state, it flattened trees, tore off screens, broke water mains, littered the streets with signs and downed power lines, and turned debris into missiles. [Read more - WWL]

Comments

[Lorenia]

I have more pictures from Wilma, I live in Cancun. How can I upload them?