A few questions and a thank you:

I've heard people say that Wilma intensified while over land. Is that possible? It it true? If so, how? Doesn't a hurricane need the energy of warm water to intensify?

Or, did Wilma just stay steady across the state, rather than decrease in intensity as is usually the case?

I live on Florida's East coast. When the storms come from the East, I go West. When they come from the West, I "hunker." But many folks on Fl.'s east coast are hurting badly right now, perhaps because they reasoned similarly. Is it no longer safe to assume hurricances will decrease in intensity as they cross Florida?

Also, thank you moderators and informed posters for the work you do. I convinced reluctant, stubborn, elderly, and - frankly - tired relatives to evacuate the East coast twice last summer thanks largely to the maps and info. I found at this site.