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.

It is forecast to become a Category 3 hurricane with wind exceeding 111 mph by tomorrow.

Meteorologist Dan Brown said: “It does look like it poses a significant threat to Florida by the weekend. Of course, these are four and five-day forecasts, so things can change.”

Seven hurricanes have hit or passed close to Florida since August 2004, causing damage estimated at more than $20 billion (€16.7bn) and killing nearly 150 people. Wilma was on a path that could threaten coastal areas hit by Hurricane Charley - the first of the seven - last year.

In Punta Gorda, devastated by Charley, there was little evidence Tuesday of preparation for Wilma but Dawn Andrews said she already had supplies like bottled water and canned food.

“It’s got nowhere else to go without hurting somebody. I have a 7-year-old who’s petrified just because of everything he’s seen on TV. I can’t even watch it when he’s around.”

Wilma is the 21st named storm of the season, tying a record set in 1933.