Wilma: Florida Keys evacuated

2005-10-19 16:33

Miami - Local authorities on Wednesday ordered the evacuation of tourists and non-residents from the low-lying Florida Keys island chain, amid fears that Hurricane Wilma could strike the southern US state.

Wilma, which is also threatening Mexico, swelled into an "extremely dangerous" Category 5 storm early on Wednesday, becoming the strongest hurricane on record in the Atlantic, the US national hurricane centre said.

"Emergency management officials decided to move up the timetable for emergency actions because of the increased intensity of the storm, which is now a Category 5," Monroe County's emergency management office said in a statement.

The office has jurisdiction over the Florida Keys, which extend from Florida's southern coast.

About 80 000 people live along the Keys, which are linked to the mainland by a single highway.

"A local state of emergency has been declared by county officials," the office warned.

"All visitors and non-residents must leave the Keys starting at noon today.

"Also, all state parks will be closed, residents and non-residents in recreational vehicles and high-profile vehicles are also ordered to leave," it said.

Local officials believe Wilma could strike the island chain sometime between late Friday and Saturday.

The hurricane is located about 550km southeast of Cozumel, Mexico and is slowly whipping west-northwest toward Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, but it is expected to turn toward the northwest within 24 hours.

At 12:00 GMT, winds at the centre of the storm were roaring at 280km/h.

The Florida Keys weathered Hurricane Rita in September without heavy damage, although some areas were flooded.

- AFP