Hurricane Wilma, which has crashed its way from Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsular across the Caribbean to Florida, is likely to cost US insurers alone as much as £6bn – much less than Hurricane Katrina, but more than any of the four storms that hit the state last year.

Damage to property in Mexico, especially in Cancun and inland is reported to have been extensive.

Lashing both coasts of the Florida Peninsular in its seven hour journey across the state, Wilma, abated to a category 2 storm but still mustered wind speeds of around 100mph, interspersed with much higher strength gusts. It caused flooding resulting from the surge levels generated of around 2m and damage to roofs, windows, shrubbery and trees. Mobile homes were at particular risk.

In its wake the hurricane left six dead in Mexico,13 in Haiti and Jamaica.

President Bush immediately signed a disaster declaration for hurricane damaged areas, and military helicopters, food and medicine were put on hand.

Up to 8,000 British nationals were in Cancun when the hurricane struck. Stranded at first they are now returning home although flights have been delayed by conditions on the ground. The Foreign Office chartered an aircraft to help with evacuation of British travellers not represented by tour operators.

Meanwhile the tropical storm Beta, the 23rd of the 2005 Atlantic season, is drifting north off the coast of Nicaragua. It is generating wind speeds of around 50mph and a hurricane warning has been issued for the entire Caribbean coast of Nicaragua.

The forecast is for heavy rain to affect eastern parts of Nicaragua and Costa Rica, as well as western Panama. This could lead to major flooding while strong damaging winds may develop.


---------------------------------------------------------------