Wilma's death toll up to 21 in Florida
Associated PressPublished October 31, 2005
WILTON MANORS - The death toll from Hurricane Wilma rose to 21 in Florida, after state emergency officials reported seven more deaths Saturday in the storm's aftermath.
The total number of deaths from the storm - which pummeled Mexico, Haiti and Jamaica before hitting Florida - is now 38.
Some people died during cleanup, others were killed by carbon monoxide poisoning or traffic accidents during power outages, Florida emergency officials said.
Among the deaths: A 51-year-old man was killed Thursday while helping repair a roof on a friend's business; a 75-year-old man was struck Friday by a tree limb while surveying damage; and a 39-year-old woman died of carbon monoxide poisoning from a smoldering charcoal grill in her kitchen.
Late Saturday, a worker was killed when the mechanical excavator he was driving tumbled off a mound of hurricane debris and into some power poles, Miami fire-rescue officials said. He was not included among the 21 deaths reported Saturday.
About 832,700 people in South Florida remained without power. Electricity might not be fully restored until Nov. 22, officials warned.