As Hurricane Wilma, a major category 3, inches towards south Florida the winds begin to lash the Keys. In Miami-Dade sustained winds are about 36 MPH while in Key West they are breaching 90MPH. Gusts are even stronger. In Key West a tornedo-esque water spout is circulating above the desolate Seven-Mile bridge. Though the storm is not expected to make landfall for a few more hours, tropical storm strength winds preceed the devestation by nearly 2 hours. Storm surge is estimated at 9-17 feet above normal tide with flooding of 2-4 feet.

The Miamist has learned that more than 1 MILLION people on the east coast (from Miami-Dade to Volusia county) are without power and Wilma is still 100 miles off the coast. The hours countdown as Wilma grows near. Her path has shifted slightly south allowing residents in the Tampa Bay area to take a deep breath while Miami residents continue to sit on the stronger easterly side of the storm. Here in Coconut Grove, the glass doors are shaking and the wind is howling while the palm trees follow the winds path, swaying efforlessly from west to east. The National Hurricane Center is releasing advisories every two hours - so stay tuned to the Miamist or to 87.8FM for the latest information.