Wilma becomes a hurricane and heads for Florida

TROPICAL Storm Wilma strengthened into a hurricane yesterday on a path that could threaten storm-battered Florida, tying the record for the most hurricanes to form in an Atlantic season.

Wilma is the 12th hurricane of the season, the same number reached in 1969, the highest since records began in 1851. At 7am Irish time, Wilma had a top sustained wind of near 75 mph, just above the 74 mph threshold to be a hurricane.

Long-range forecasts show Wilma could hit western Cuba or Mexico before heading into the Gulf of Mexico by Friday. The storm could also spare those countries while passing through the Yucatan Channel. Either way, computer models showed Wilma turning northeastward and bearing down on Florida during the weekend.