Record-breaking Wilma gathers storm force

TROPICAL Storm Wilma strengthened yesterday after forming in the northwestern Caribbean, tying the record for the most named storms in an Atlantic season and following a path that some forecasters believe could menace the Gulf Coast next week as a hurricane.

Wilma is the 21st named storm of the season. The only other time that many storms have formed since record-keeping began 154 years ago was in 1933.

At 11am EDT (4pm Irish time), Wilma had top sustained wind near 45mph the National Hurricane Centre said centred 220 miles south-southeast of Grand Cayman but expected to turn west.