page_title: Effects of Hurricane Wilma in Florida
section_title: Lee, Hendry, and Glades counties
hierarchical_section_title: Effects of Hurricane Wilma in Florida / Impact / Southwest Florida / Lee, Hendry, and Glades counties
caption_attribution_description: English: Storm total rainfall map of Hurricane Wilma during October 2005.
context_page_description: The effects of Hurricane Wilma in Florida resulted in the storm becoming the third-costliest tropical cyclone in Florida history. Wilma developed in the Caribbean Sea just southwest of Jamaica on October 15 from a large area of disturbed weather. After reaching tropical storm intensity on October 17 and then hurricane status on October 18, the system explosively deepened, peaking as the strongest tropical cyclone ever recorded in the Atlantic basin. Wilma then slowly weakened while trekking to the northwest and fell to Category 4 intensity by the time it struck the Yucatán Peninsula on October 22. Thereafter, a strong cold front swept the storm northeastward into Florida on October 24, with landfall occurring near Cape Romano as a Category 3 hurricane with winds of 120 mph. Wilma continued rapidly northeastward into the Atlantic Ocean and became extratropical on October 26.
  As the system drew closer, Florida governor Jeb Bush declared a state of emergency on October 19. Schools and government offices began closing on the following day. The storm's threat resulted in the postponement of several professional and collegiate sports games.
context_section_description: Along Florida's west coast, Wilma produced hurricane-force wind gusts as far north as Lee County, with the storm's eyewall moving across the Collier-Lee county line. Page Field near Fort Myers observed a sustained wind speed of 62 mph (100 km/h), while Southwest Florida International Airport recorded a wind gust of 79 mph (127 km/h). Farther south, a C-MAN station at Big Carlos Pass measured sustained winds of 64 mph (103 km/h) and gusts of 87 mph (140 km/h). Approximately 208,000 electrical subscribers lost electricity during the storm. A total of 2,986 homes experienced some degree of damage, with 153 suffering major damage and 14 being potentially destroyed. Additionally, winds damaged 110 businesses, 5 possibly beyond repairs. Insured and uninsured damages throughout the county totaled around $101 million. Damage to county properties totaled close to $4 million. One indirect fatality occurred in Lee County; a power outage caused the death of an oxygen equipment-dependent woman.  
  A total of 972 homes in Bonita Springs reported minor to major damage, especially manufactured and mobile homes. On Sanibel Island, 128 dwellings suffered some degree of impact, 12 to a major extent. City properties experienced slightly more than $1 million in damage. Impact in Fort Myers was primarily limited to downed trees. Twenty-four homes at Fort Myers Beach received most minor damage. In Cape Coral, Wilma impacted 511 residences; 490 homes reported minor damage, 20 others reported extensive damage, and 1 mobile home was destroyed. Damage to private property totaled roughly $9.2 million. The storm also caused moderate to major damage to 78 businesses and destroyed 1 other workplace.
  Wilma lashed Hendry County with sustained winds of 75 to 88 mph (121 to 142 km/h). In LaBelle, the municipal airport lost several doors at the hangars and the office was flooded. Additionally, aircraft may have been damaged. A number of roads and a bridge in the city were closed due to debris and downed trees. The city of Clewiston was damaged. Some 200‑year‑old trees were toppled and multiple streets flooded, including Route 27. At least 145 dwellings were demolished, including rows of houses in the section of Harlem. Approximately 90 percent of buildings and homes in Clewiston and eastern Hendry County received damage. Much of the cafeteria at Clewiston High School lost its roof and water leakage from the ceiling occurred in several classrooms. The Hendry Regional Medical Center sustained roof damage. The city's three marinas were destroyed and a number of boats were impacted by the storm. Numerous businesses in the city suffered some degree of losses. At the US Sugar Corporation headquarters, the roof was severely damaged.
  The small, unincorporated communities of Montura Ranch Estates and Pioneer Plantation were also severely effected. In the former, 47 homes were moderately damaged and 9 were left uninhabitable. Forty dwellings were damaged or destroyed in Pioneer Plantation. Roughly 50% of sugar and orange crops destroyed. The main building of the Ah-Tah-Thi-Ki Seminole Indian Museum lost its roof, causing rain to pour into the building and damage some mannequins. At the Big Cypress Indian Reservation, buildings and homes weakened by previous hurricanes suffered further damage. Branches broke from large live oak trees, while porches and sheds lost roofs. Additionally, a shop filled with Native American arts and crafts was destroyed. The hurricane severely damaged 250 homes and destroyed 550 other homes in Hendry County. Throughout the county, damage totaled about $567 million, with $300 million to agriculture and $267 million in structures.
  In Glades County, hurricane-force wind gusts left approximately 3,000 people without electricity. Wilma destroyed more than 60 homes. A total of 17 Glades County School District buildings suffered roof damage, totaling around $6.9 million in damage.
caption: Map of rainfall totals associated with Wilma in the United States