Wilma Leaves 6M Without Power in Florida

Wilma Leaves 6M Without Power in Florida

By CURT ANDERSON, Associated Press Writer 39 minutes ago

WESTON, Fla. - Beginning an agonizing, all-too-familiar process,
Floridians lined up for generators, chain saws and other clean-up
supplies only hours after Hurricane Wilma cut a costly, deadly swath
across the peninsula.

The storm slammed across the state in about seven hours Monday,
causing billions in insured damage and leaving 6 million people
without electricity. Wilma was blamed for at least six and possibly
as many as eight deaths statewide.

Officials in the state's three most populous areas — Miami-Dade,
Broward and Palm Beach counties — were prepping to distribute ice,
water and other items to storm-struck residents Tuesday, while
utility-restoration efforts could stretch into weeks.

"It will be days or weeks before we are back to normal," Miami-Dade
Mayor Carlos Alvarez said.