Hurricane Wilma leaves Miami archdiocesan schools, offices closed

Published: 2005-10-27

MIAMI (CNS) -- Despite widespread wind damage to parishes and schools in all three counties it covers, the Archdiocese of Miami came through Hurricane Wilma in relatively good shape. The Category 3 storm left no corner of the archdiocese untouched as it blew through the Florida Keys and Miami-Dade and Broward counties Oct. 24, toppling thousands of trees, causing widespread damage to roofs and knocking out power to nearly all the residents of southern Florida. Nevertheless, "we held up pretty well," said Bob Brown, director of the archdiocese's Building Commission. One saving grace: The storm did not bring a lot of rainfall with it, and was followed by a cold front that brought clear skies, unseasonably cool temperatures and low humidity to the area. The Pastoral Center, where the archdiocese's main offices are located, was to remain closed until electrical power was restored to the Miami Shores neighborhood where it is located. Classes were canceled until at least Oct. 31 in all of the archdiocese's elementary and secondary schools, as well as public schools in all three counties.

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