Chief David T. Boyett
Sunrise Police Department
Sunrise, FL 33323

October 24-25, 2005


Hurricane Wilma, which has swelled into a dangerous Category Five storm, is the strongest hurricane ever recorded, the US National Hurricane Center says.

MIAMI, Florida (CNN) -- Hurricane Wilma wobbled between Mexico and Cuba on Wednesday after exploding with record intensity earlier in the day, and its predicted path prompted authorities in Cuba and Florida to prepare evacuation orders.

NAPLES, Florida (CNN) -- Hurricane Wilma battered Florida with heavy rain, widespread flooding and damaging winds for about six hours Monday before heading out to the Atlantic and regaining strength.

Wilma made several landfalls, with the most destructive effects felt in the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico, Cuba, and the US state of Florida. At least 62 deaths were reported, and damage is estimated at $29.4 billion (2005 USD, $36.1 billion 2017 USD), $21 billion (2005 USD, $25.8 billion 2017 USD) of which occurred in the United States alone. As a result, Wilma is ranked as the fifth costliest storm in United States history.