Storm record equalled in Atlantic

A warning was issued for the Cayman Islands

A new tropical storm has formed in the Caribbean, equalling a 70-year-old record for the highest number of storms in the Atlantic in a single season.

Tropical Storm Wilma is expected to become a hurricane before heading to the Yucatan peninsula in Mexico and the US Gulf coast by the end of the week.

These areas are still recovering from the devastation caused by hurricanes Katrina and Stan.

Wilma is the 21st named storm of the 2005 season.

The only other time that as many storms formed since record keeping began 154 years ago was in 1933.

'Moving erratically'

Wilma formed in the north-western part of the Caribbean Sea early on Monday, threatening the Cayman Islands.

A warning was issued there, meaning that hurricane conditions could be felt within 36 hours.

The National Hurricane Centre in the United States said that Wilma is moving erratically, with sustained winds of 65km/h (40 mph), and is expected to bring heavy rain in the Cayman Islands and Jamaica.

Long-term forecasts show the storm heading towards the Gulf of Mexico and the US Gulf coast within the next two to three days.

Nearly 1,200 people were killed in the United States by Hurricane Katrina in August.

Hundreds more died in Mexico and Central America when Tropical Storm Stan struck early this month.