MIAMI (AP):
NEARLY A million people were still without power a week after Hurricane Wilma struck South Florida, heightening safety concerns that put a damper yesterday on the nighttime traditions of Halloween.
Government officials said trick-or-treating, in which children dressed in costumes visit neighbours to receive candy, should be limited to daylight hours because of power outages that still affect much of the area. And even in areas with lights, debris is piled high in front yards, making walking after dark dangerous.
"If your kids don't need to go door to door trick-or-treating this year, they probably should not," Miami police Lt. Bill Schwartz said. "If you can find an alternative - like a mall - we highly recommend it."
CONTINUING TRADITION
But, Redge Allen, 13, of Plantation, said he plans to go to a Halloween party in a nearby neighbourhood.
"It's just debris," said the seventh-grader, who might dress up as an Army soldier. "You just walk around it."
Some 74 per cent or roughly 2.4 million of the 3.3 million people who lost power after the hurricane were back online Monday morning, Florida Power & Light said. But the company, state's largest electric utility, said some areas might not get their power back until Nov. 22.
One sign of progress was the disappearance of hours-long gas lines that plagued the area and frustrated residents in recent days. Though some gas stations were still closed, many were back up and running.
The state listed about 1,500 people still in emergency shelters Monday, most in Palm Beach and Broward Counties.
A citrus industry group said Monday that Wilma will cause the loss of $180 million (euro148 million) worth of Florida's citrus crop, including nearly half of the grapefruit crop, according to preliminary estimates.
The Lower Keys and Key West reopened to tourists Monday. Previously, only residents were allowed in the area.
The death toll from Wilma climbed to 21 in Florida during the weekend, state officials said. Six people died in traffic crashes, while three deaths were attributed to carbon monoxide.
Wilma, the eighth hurricane to strike or pass by Florida in 15 months, came ashore Oct. 24 on the southwest coast and then cut across the peninsula. By Sunday afternoon, the State Emergency Operations Centre listed about 2,000 people in emergency shelters, most in Palm Beach and Broward Counties.
