The utility also has trimmed vegetation — the leading cause of power outages — from 120,000 miles of power lines and inspected 1.2 million poles to ensure they can withstand winds up to 150 mph.
About 2,000 high-volume intersections were upgraded with more durable traffic signal poles, and the state has scores of backup generators available to make sure they keep operating after a storm.
More than 120 gas stations and about 250 grocery stores in South Florida now are equipped with backup generators, and some cities purchased backup generators to keep water plants running.
And, because of Wilma, Katrina and other powerful hurricanes in the tumultuous 2005 season, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration established an ambitious program, calling for hurricane forecasting skill to improve by 20 percent by 2014.
Through supercomputers, more sophisticated models and ramped-up technologies, including drones, radars and satellites, it has met that goal with track predictions.
The Category 2 storm, which made landfall in Naples, reached us on the morning of Oct. 24, 2005, and left in its wake massive blackouts, ripped roofs and mountains of debris.
“It surprised a lot of people because it showed that we could be so greatly impacted from a Gulf storm,” said Mary Blakeney, deputy director of Palm Beach County emergency management.
Here’s a look at Wilma by the numbers:
$22.3 billion
Total cost of damage in 2015 dollars. Wilma ranks fifth for U.S. damage, behind hurricanes Katrina in 2005, Sandy in 2012, Ike in 2008 and Andrew in 1992. Katrina and Andrew also hit South Florida.
$3 billion
The amount AT&T and other phone companies spent to gird land-line and wireless systems in South Florida.
2.1 million
New Florida residents since Wilma hit. Most moved to counties along the coast and most have not experienced a hurricane. In 2005, there were 17.7 million Floridians, today 19.8 million.
$2,100
The average cost of homeowner insurance in South Florida now, about $885 more than the average cost in 2005, before Wilma hit.
115
Today’s average track forecast error when a storm is three days from landfall. That’s about 60 percent better than in 2005, when the National Hurricane Center’s three-day forecast error was about 180 miles.
3,700
The approximate number of cellphone towers in South Florida now, more than 10 times the number of towers in 2005, according to Federal Communication Commission data.
$303.2 million
The amount of federal assistance granted to Florida residents for damaged homes after Wilma. In South Florida, 61,618 residents were given $121.4 million in federal housing assistance funds.
3.2 million
FPL customers without power. While most had electricity restored within two weeks, many were in the dark for months. Among the powerless customers were hundreds of gas stations, which had to shut down, leading to long lines at the few able to remain open.
17,500
Restoration workers who brought back electrical power. Most worked 16-hour days, seven days a week. Many came from North and Central Florida and other states.
5,000-plus
Traffic signals down in the tri-county area. Although the intersections by law operated as though they had four stop signs, drivers still honked, cursed and played a dangerous game of chicken, causing numerous accidents. It took about three weeks before most signals were working again.
2,000-plus
High-volume intersections that were upgraded with more durable traffic signal poles.
1.2 million
Gallons of water distributed in the tri-county area after Wilma. Despite the large amount of water handed out at county relief centers, criticism would be leveled at FEMA because of a slow response in getting water and supplies to needy seniors.
12,350
Tons of free ice handed out in the tri-county area. Many people stood in lines for hours at distribution centers. Three years later, FEMA announced it would no longer provide ice after a hurricane.
75,000
Blue tarps issued in 13 Florida counties for damaged and leaking roofs, with about half of those given to South Florida residents. The Blue Tarp Program, providing a roof cover strong enough to withstand rain and wind, was administered by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
22,000
Cubic yards of debris picked up, translating to about 4,400 tons. Most of the debris came from fallen trees and vegetation, and it lined streets for weeks after the storm.
45 to 70
The diameter of Wilma’s eye in miles during most of its lifetime, extremely large for a hurricane’s center. Yet while at Category 5 strength in the Caribbean, its eye contracted to only two miles, the smallest on record.
24
The hours it took Wilma to go from a 70-mph tropical storm to a 175-mph Category 5 hurricane while in the Caribbean, an unprecedented “explosive strengthening episode,” as the hurricane center put it. It would continue to intensify to 185 mph and become the most intense hurricane in recorded history.
5
Deaths in South Florida. All were in Broward and after Wilma passed: One person fell while trimming a tree, one died of carbon-monoxide poisoning, two fell off ladders while working on roofs and one elderly person fell because of a lack of lights.
