October 24, 2005
Wilma Takes Aim
While the rest of the country heads to bed and prepares for the work week, but South Floridians are awaiting the arrival of Hurricane Wilma. Armed with flashlights, canned food and the obligatory bottle of wine, residents of MIami-Dade, Broward, and Monroe counties sit and watch the trees sway in the wind. Wilma, now a category 3, major hurricane, has sustained winds of 115 mph with higher gusts. Currently located about 120 miles west of Key West, Wilma is expected to make landfall south of Naples during the early morning hours, impacting the east coast throughout the day tomorrow. All residents should be wherever they expect to spend the next 24 hours with plenty of supplies. No cars should be on the road once the winds reach 39 mph, which should be within the next hour. Take precautions and leave the hurricane chasing to the professionals and the Miamist who is ready and waiting, laptop and wine in hand watching the waves batter the low-lying area of Coconut Grove and bringing you up-to-the-minute coverage - as long as the electricity lasts.