Hurricane Wilma was the most intense hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic basin. Wilma was the twenty-second storm, thirteenth hurricane, sixth major hurricane, and fourth Category 5 hurricane of the record-breaking 2005 season. At least 63 deaths were reported, and damage is estimated at over $29.1 billion, ranking Wilma among the top 5 costliest hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic.
The American military completed a withdrawl from Iraq's cities on Monday as part of a U.S.-Iraqi security pact. Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki said in a nationally televised address that "those who think that Iraqis are not able to protect their country and that the withdrawal of foreign forces will create a security vacuum are committing a big mistake."