Florida slowly recovers from Hurricane Wilma

WESTON, Fla. -- Floridians lined up for water, gas, ice and generators Tuesday outside the few stores that were open after Hurricane Wilma cut a costly, deadly swath across the peninsula.

The storm slammed across the state in about seven hours Monday, causing billions in insured damage and leaving 5.9 million people, or a little less than 3 million homes and businesses, without electricity. More than 5,000 residents remained in shelters Tuesday as the hurricane's remnants headed toward the North Atlantic.

Wilma was blamed for at least five deaths in Florida. Earlier, authorities reported six deaths in the state but on Tuesday they revised the total to five deaths.

Officials of Florida's three most populous areas -- Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties -- prepared to distribute ice, water and other essentials to residents Tuesday, while utilities warned that restoration of services could stretch into weeks.

"It will be days or weeks before we are back to normal," Miami-Dade County Mayor Carlos Alvarez said.

Before smashing into Florida, Wilma killed at least six people in Mexico, one person in Jamaica and 12 people in Haiti.

In Florida, most stores remained closed because of the widespread power outages, creating long lines at those that were open. More than 500 people queued up outside a Broward County Super Wal-Mart, which was letting in about 20 people at a time.

The first person in line, Joyce Carr, had been waiting several hours in hopes of buying a generator only to learn the store was out. But she still wanted to buy a grill, charcoal and water.

"We've heard different reports that the power will be out for some time so we're worried about supplies for our family," Carr said.

The few gas stations that had power had lines that stretched for blocks. One gas station manager in Florida City got into shouting matches with people who tried to cut lines, forcing police to shut the station down.

"These people need to grow up and act like adults," said Maribel Sanchez, 31, who waited 90 minutes for gas at the station. "Look at us, we've been in line for a long time, why can't they do it?"

Gov. Jeb Bush thanked emergency workers for their efforts.

"My heart goes out to people that have lost a lot and they can be rest assured that the state government and the federal government will be working to provide support," he added Tuesday in Miami.

His brother, President Bush, signed a disaster declaration Monday and promised swift help. He plans to travel to Florida on Thursday.

"There are a lot of people without power and that's obviously a priority right now," White House spokesman Scott McClellan said Tuesday. "We're working to support the state of Florida's efforts, and they were well prepared for this."

Miami-Dade and Broward authorities reported few problems despite the loss of power. Fourteen people were arrested for violating a curfew in Miami-Dade, where fewer than 10 looting arrests were made. Broward had six reports of looting, with one arrest.

Wilma, the eighth hurricane to strike or pass by Florida in 15 months, landed on Florida's Gulf coast as a Category 3 hurricane, littering the landscape with power lines, wrecked signs, torn awnings and other debris.

Trees and roofs dotted expressways, and all three of South Florida's major airports -- Miami International, Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood and Palm Beach -- were closed, although limited operations were being scheduled Tuesday at Miami, said airport spokeswoman Trenae Floyd.

American Airlines, which has a major international hub in Miami, planned to operate about half its flights there on Thursday, spokeswoman Minnette Velez said.

At 11 a.m. EDT Tuesday, Wilma was centered about 570 miles east-northeast of Cape Hatteras, N.C. The system had weakened to a Category 2 storm with 105 mph sustained wind but was moving incredibly fast for a tropical system -- 53 mph. It was expected to lose its tropical characteristics over the cooler Atlantic late Tuesday or early Wednesday.

Although it was so far out to sea, it was contributing moisture to a nor'easter that was blowing through the Northeast, causing widespread power outages and hammering New Jersey beaches with 20-foot waves.

On Florida's Turnpike near Miami, dozens of cars waited to get gas at a station that had power. At the Orange Bowl near downtown Miami, cars stretched at least half a mile at a distribution point for ice and water.

"I wasn't prepared for anything. I never thought it would be this bad," said Virginia Davila, 29, as she waited at the stadium.

Ellen Seigel, 56, of Naples, sat on a bench in the neighborhood near downtown Fort Lauderdale where she was staying. The street was littered with broken glass and pieces of foam insulation as people bought carts full of water and milk in a drug store.

"I haven't seen anybody that's in bad humor at all," Seigel said. "Especially after what happened in Katrina, I think people are just thankful that they're safe. I mean, how can anybody complain about this?"

Eqecat Inc., a risk modeling firm, said early estimates projected that Wilma's insured losses would range from $2 billion to $6 billion. AIR Worldwide Corp. estimated that insurance companies will have to pay claims ranging from $6 billion to $9 billion. Risk Management Solutions estimated a range of $6 billion to $10 billion.

Authorities said two people were dead in Collier County, one in Palm Beach County, one in Broward County and one in St. Johns County.