USA TODAY International Edition
Patience running thin among Wilma victims
Pace of recovery slower than many hoped in Florida
FORT LAUDERDALE — Floridians already were waiting in long lines for gasoline atsun rise Wednesday as they voiced frustration at the slow arrival of relief following the destruction of Hurricane Wilma.
Police watched over the few gas stations that were open as a precaution in case motorists’ tempers P ared while theywaited for hours to buy fuel.
“ I’m usually awake by this hour, but I need gas for my generator so I can go to work and make some money,” said Hector Vasquez, 36, who repairs windows. “ This shouldn’t be this dif 2 cult.”
Florida Power & Light, the state’s biggestut ility, said Wilma affected more of its 4.3 million customers than any other natural disaster in the company’s history. By Wednesday, service was restored to about 20% of the 3.2 million customers who losts ervice — butt he company reminded Floridians that total restoration may take weeks.
At a distribution center at the Orange Bowl near downtown Miami, about 500 people were in line Wednesday to get free water, food and ice thatwere arriving during the morning. Even more people had been att he stadium Tuesday, when supplies arrived late.
“ I need the ice and water desperately. I have a diabetic son and I need to keep his insulin cool,” said Gloria Duzallon, 38, a medical of 2 ce manager from Hollywood.
Wilma — the 21st named storm in the busiest Atlantic hurricane season on record — was blamed for at least 2 ve deaths in Florida. Before hitting the United States, the Category 3 hurricane killed at least four people in Mexico, one in Jamaica and 12 in Haiti.
In Mexico, thousands of haggard tourists battled for airline and bus seats out of the country’s hurricane- battered Caribbean resorts, but thousands more remained stranded Wednesday.
Of 2 cials said about 22,000 foreign tourists remained in the area Tuesday, down from a peak of almost 40,000.
There was limited progress in Florida as more streetswere cleared of debris, a few restaurants opened and trash removal returned to some areas. Domest ic P ights resumed Wednesday a t Miami International Airport.
Trucks carrying the 2 rstwave of relief — food, ice and water — either arrived much later than local of 2 cials expected Tuesday or didn’ts how up at all. Hundreds of people lined up outside one home- supply store, desperate for cleanup and other supplies. Drivers waited 2 ve hours at gas stations, and at a handful of fast- food restaurants open in the Miami area burgers were available — to those willing to endure two- hourwaits.
Nine hours after she got in line Tuesday at one designated relief- supply location, Fanie Aristil, 23, of North Miami wearily left for home with 28 pounds of ice and six liters of bottled water.
“ All that time,” Aristil said. “ This is all we get?”
FEMA spokeswoman Frances Marine urged Floridians to be patient, and reminded residents that of 2 cials had recommended that people have 72 hours of essential supplies on hand ahead of Wilma’s arrival.
“ People will have their needs met,” Marine said. “ The bottom line is that there’s a plan in place.”
President Bush planned a trip to Florida today to assess damage in Florida.
The quantity of debris was daunting: Pieces of roofs, trees, signs, awnings, fences, billboards and pool screenswere scattered across several counties, including the state’s most populous region — the Miami, Fort Lauderdale and West Palm Beach area. Damage estimates ranged up to $10 billion.
Wilma was the strongest hurricane to strike Fort Lauderdale since 1950. Winds of more than 100 mph blewwindows out of high- rises, many built before Florida enacted tougher construction codes following Andrew in 1992.