Hurricane Wilma struck the Florida Keys on October 24, 2005, causing the worst storm surge inundation in Key West since Hurricane Betsy in 1965. Though the center of the Category 3 storm passed about 75 miles to the northwest, Wilma’s massive wind field and rapid movement pushed a devastating storm surge onto the low-lying island. Water levels in Key West harbor reached nearly six feet above mean sea level. This surge, particularly a second wave coinciding with high tide, flooded approximately 7

Hurricane Betsy was first hurricane to cause more than $1 billion in damage - The Weather Network

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