Wilma's Fury Leaves 21 Dead, Many Still Without Electricity

Repair crews all over South Florida were working overtime to restore electricity to up to six million homes that lost power during Hurricane Wilma's destructive lashing. The category 3 storm shut down the region's airports and blew out countless windows downtown high-rises in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale and West Palm Beach. Officials said it could take weeks for the region to return to normal.

Wilma ripped through Florida's most heavily populated regions with unforgiving fury. Pieces of roofs, trees, signs, awnings, fences, billboards and pool screens were scattered across several counties. At least 2,000 domestic and international flights were canceled due to the storm, affecting hundreds of thousands of travelers, when Wilma knocked out electricity and damaged roofs, towers, fences and other equipment.

In addition, one-third of the Florida Keys is reported flooded.

So far, Wilma's Florida death toll has risen to 21. Wilma also killed at least six in Mexico, one in Jamaica and 12 in Haiti.

One of the hardest hit areas was downtown Fort Lauderdale, an area that hasn't seen a hurricane of Wilma's strength in 55 years. Winds of more than 100 mph blew out windows in high-rises, many built before Florida enacted tougher construction codes following Hurricane Andrew in 1992. Officials estimate the damage at $10 billion.

In an all-too-familiar scene, people were lined up for blocks, waiting in line for hours for ice, water, food and other goods.

Some schools and courthouses, heavily damaged by the storm, announced they would remain closed for the week. Boil water alerts have been issued in many locations. Counties like Miami-Dade, Broward and Monroe have imposed overnight curfews.