The Florida Keys, where many Jews live in retirment, are in the storm's path.
According to National Hurricane Center Director Max Mayfield, the storm slowed from a Category 5 hurricane, packing winds of 175 mph in the Atlantic at one point, to a Category 4 with 145 mph winds. Wilma is believed to be the strongest Atlantic storm in history, its barometric pressure at one point at an all-time low.
Earlier in the week, 10 people in Haiti were killed as Wilma ripped through the small island. Wilma is believed to be the strongest Atlantic storm in history,
Mayfield was optimistic Thursday that the storm would weaken to a Category 3 or possibly even less by the time it made its projected landfall sometime Sunday. Once it entered the Gulf of Mexico, Wilma was expected to slow even more.
The storm, however, had also grown in size, with tropical storm-force winds extending out some 260 miles and broadening its area of impact.
Florida Governor Jeb Bush was taking no chances and declared a state of emergency, enabling officials to activate the National Guard as well as solidify evacuation plans and distribution of recovery supplies and related items.
Tourists and residents in Central America, meanwhile, fled the oncoming storm. Floridians continued to brace themselves, boarding up houses and businesses, stocking canned goods and bottled water and filling up at gas stations. Officials ordered tourists to evacuate the Florida Keys.
Wilma is the third hurricane to threaten the Florida coastline so far this season, following a major battering from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The Katrina storm forced the evacuation of most of New Orleans after the city was flooded. Synagogues suffered heavy damage, but Torah scrolls were saved.
According to National Hurricane Center Director Max Mayfield, the storm slowed from a Category 5 hurricane, packing winds of 175 mph in the Atlantic at one point, to a Category 4 with 145 mph winds. Wilma is believed to be the strongest Atlantic storm in history, its barometric pressure at one point at an all-time low.
Earlier in the week, 10 people in Haiti were killed as Wilma ripped through the small island. Wilma is believed to be the strongest Atlantic storm in history,
Mayfield was optimistic Thursday that the storm would weaken to a Category 3 or possibly even less by the time it made its projected landfall sometime Sunday. Once it entered the Gulf of Mexico, Wilma was expected to slow even more.
The storm, however, had also grown in size, with tropical storm-force winds extending out some 260 miles and broadening its area of impact.
Florida Governor Jeb Bush was taking no chances and declared a state of emergency, enabling officials to activate the National Guard as well as solidify evacuation plans and distribution of recovery supplies and related items.
Tourists and residents in Central America, meanwhile, fled the oncoming storm. Floridians continued to brace themselves, boarding up houses and businesses, stocking canned goods and bottled water and filling up at gas stations. Officials ordered tourists to evacuate the Florida Keys.
Wilma is the third hurricane to threaten the Florida coastline so far this season, following a major battering from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The Katrina storm forced the evacuation of most of New Orleans after the city was flooded. Synagogues suffered heavy damage, but Torah scrolls were saved.