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-Short Attention Span Theater-
Florida, why do Hurricanes hate you?
2005-10-18
Tropical Storm Wilma strengthened into a hurricane Tuesday on a path that could threaten Florida, tying the record for the most hurricanes to form in an Atlantic season. Wilma is the 12th hurricane of the season, a number reached once before in 1969 since record-keeping began in 1851. At 11 a.m. EDT, Wilma had top sustained winds of near 75 mph, just above the 74 mph threshold to be a hurricane.

Long-range forecasts show Wilma could hit western Cuba or the Yucatan Peninsula before heading into the Gulf of Mexico by Friday. The storm could also spare those countries while passing through the Yucatan Channel. Either way, computer models showed Wilma bearing down on Florida over the weekend. It is forecast to become a Category 3 hurricane with winds exceeding 111 mph by Thursday. Conditions such as warm water and favorable atmospheric winds in the northwestern Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico indicate strengthening, forecasters said. "It does look like it poses a significant threat to Florida by the weekend. Of course, these are four- and five-day forecasts, so things can change," said Dan Brown, a meteorologist at the National Hurricane Center in Miami.

Seven hurricanes have hit or passed close to Florida since August causing more than $20 billion in estimated damage and killing nearly 150 people. Wilma was on a path that could threaten coastal areas in the southwest part of the state hit by Hurricane Charley, the first of the seven last year.
Posted by:Steve

#8  To Florida: sorry 'bout that.
Posted by: Halliburton Earthquake/Tsumani/Cyclone Division   2005-10-18 17:30  

#7  How many rides must a family turn down

Before you call them cranky and sad?

Yes,’n’ how many seas must the hurricane sail

Before she sleeps in the sand?

Yes,’n’ how many times must storms come along

Before they’re forever banned?

The answer, my friend, is blowin’ in the wind,

The answer is blowin’ in the wind.
Posted by: Are we there yet   2005-10-18 15:07  

#6  "Location, location, location!"
Posted by: mojo   2005-10-18 14:59  

#5  RC,

Wilma...sounds definitely like an E-Ticket ride ;)
Posted by: Warthog   2005-10-18 13:48  

#4  Yeah, well, so do I. Dammit.
Posted by: Robert Crawford   2005-10-18 13:26  

#3  Hurricanes don't hate Florida--they just want to go to Disney World!
Posted by: Dar   2005-10-18 13:01  

#2  GODDAMIT!

I'm (supposed) to go to Florida on Saturday.

GODDAMIT!
Posted by: Robert Crawford   2005-10-18 12:35  

#1  DAMNIT!!! Quit flippin' that hurricane switch!!!
Posted by: ARMYGUY   2005-10-18 12:28  

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