Five killed as hurricane hits Florida shores

FIVE people were killed, a family of five was missing at sea and more than a million homes and businesses lost power after Hurricane Katrina crashed ashore in southern Florida early yesterday.

The storm’s wind then zoomed to 100mph as Katrina moved over the Gulf of Mexico.

It reached Category 2 status yesterday morning, and forecasters said it could become a major hurricane - with top sustained winds above 110mph - by the time it reaches the Gulf Coast early next week, perhaps with winds of at least 131mph. Forecasters said it could be headed anywhere from the Florida Panhandle to Louisiana.