A look back: Irma follows in Wilma’s footsteps

A large section of roof torn from a strip mall is blown across Collier Boulevard during Hurricane Wilma. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)

Hurricane Wilma made landfall in southwestern Florida. It was the last major hurricane to make landfall in the United States. (WTOP/Dave Dildine) — Hurricane Wilma made landfall in southwestern Florida. It was the last major hurricane to make landfall in the United States until Hurricane Harvey struck Texas in August earlier this year. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)

Palm fronds are sent flying in sustained winds up to 120 miles per hour during Hurricane Wilma. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)

Collier Boulevard floods and sea water and debris during the height of Hurricane Wilma. (WTOP/Dave Dildine) — Storm surge flooding and debris liter Collier Boulevard during the height of Hurricane Wilma. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)

Traffic signals on Marco Island whip and twist in high winds during Hurricane Wilma.
(WTOP/Dave Dildine) — Traffic signals on Marco Island whip and twist in high winds during Hurricane Wilma. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)

Sea water from the Gulf of Mexico breaches bulkheads in Marco Island during Hurricane Wilma. The storm surge flooding inundated several structures. (WTOP/Dave Dildine) — Seawater from the Gulf of Mexico breaches bulkheads in Marco Island during Hurricane Wilma. The storm surge flooding inundated several structures. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)

Hurricane Wilma made landfall in southwestern Florida on October 24, 2005. (WTOP/Dave Dildine)

(1/9)

Share This Gallery:

WASHINGTON — Twelve years after southern Florida was battered by Hurricane Wilma, Hurricane Irma, a tropical cyclone baring a striking resemblance to Wilma, is poised to strike the peninsula. Irma is expected to strengthen as it nears the Gulf Coast of Florida early Sunday.

The state hasn’t been hit by a major hurricane since Wilma in October 2005. Like Irma, Wilma was an intense Category 5 hurricane before threatening the state; both storms attained sustained wind speeds up to 185 over open waters, landing them near the top of the list of most intense storms observed in the Atlantic Basin.

WTOP’s Dave Dildine covered Wilma as the cyclone made landfall in southwestern Florida near Cape Romano on October 24, bringing sustained winds up to 120 miles per hour onshore. The photos in the following gallery were taken in Marco Island as hurricane conditions damaged countless trees, power lines and structures.