Irma - live updates: At least 21 dead as multiple hurricanes continue to break records
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Half a million people ordered to evacuate Florida as Category 5 storm is downgraded to 'extremely dangerous' Category 4
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The Independent US
The Independent US
Key Points
- Hurricane Irma is 'wider than our entire state', warns Florida governor
- Jose upgraded to Category 4 hurricane as it heads to islands already destroyed by Irma
- Storm on course to 'devastate the US'
- Island of Barbuda 'totally demolished'
- Pictures show devastation wrought on Caribbean by strongest storm in Atlantic history
The most powerful Atlantic Ocean hurricane in recorded history has killed at least 14 people after tearing through the Caribbean, and is now on course to "devastate the United States", the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has warned.
Hurricane Irma is now heading towards Florida, which is on high alert, with authorities ordering half a million people to evacuate. The Carolinas and Georgia have also declared emergencies.
The Category 5 storm, had maximum sustained wind speeds of 185mph on Thursday, according to the US National Hurricane Centre.
It was downgraded to a Category 4 with 150mph winds on Friday but remains "extremely dangerous."
The storm, of "nuclear" ferocity, has churned along a path through the Lesser Antilles and Puerto Rico, and towards the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Cuba. Residents of Florida are preparing for a potential hit over the weekend. Irma's eye passed directly over the island of Barbuda, meaning its inhabitants were twice subjected to the fastest winds.
Live Updates
More on the number of evacuations across Florida.
Andrew Sussman, the state’s hurricane programme manager, said that the total includes people throughout the southern half of the state as well as those living in inland Florida in substandard housing who were also told leave due to the dangerous storm that will slam the state this weekend.
The US National Hurricane Center is warning Floridians that even if the storm seems to moving away from the East Coast in the latest tracks, don't get complacent.
"This is a storm that will kill you if you don't get out of the way," said National Hurricane Center meteorologist and spokesman Dennis Feltgen.
Feltgen says the storm has a really wide eye, with hurricane-force winds that cover the entire Florida peninsula and potentially deadly storm surges on both coasts.
"Everybody's going to feel this one," Mr Feltgen said.
"This is a storm that will kill you if you don't get out of the way," said National Hurricane Center meteorologist and spokesman Dennis Feltgen.
Feltgen says the storm has a really wide eye, with hurricane-force winds that cover the entire Florida peninsula and potentially deadly storm surges on both coasts.
"Everybody's going to feel this one," Mr Feltgen said.
5.6 million people have been asked to evacuate Florida ahead of Hurricane Irma, the Associated Press are reporting.
The Antigua and Barbuda Met Office has warned that Jose, the category four hurricane that is following in the wake of Irma – could make its presence felt in the northern Leeward Islands as early as midnight local time. That is in five hours time.
Hundreds of police reinforcements and rescue teams have started arriving on St Martin, an island divided between France and the Netherlands, amid reports of possible looting and shortages of drinking water, food and fuel, AFP reports.
Hurricane Irma's predicted path continues to inch west as the massive storm, still armed with 155 mph winds, approaches Florida.
The National Hurricane Center's latest track brings the Category 4 hurricane into southwest Florida, up the state a tad west of the center region, and further east than earlier forecasts.
However, the margin of error is still large enough that the entire state may get Irma's powerful core.
The National Hurricane Center's latest track brings the Category 4 hurricane into southwest Florida, up the state a tad west of the center region, and further east than earlier forecasts.
However, the margin of error is still large enough that the entire state may get Irma's powerful core.
Researchers have calculated that Friday has had the most hurricane activity in the history of the Atlantic region.
Scientists use a measurement called Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) to give a good snapshot of hurricane activity because it combines storms' wind speeds and how long they spin at such speeds.
With Irma and Jose Category 4 storms and Katia knocking on the door Category 3, Colorado State University hurricane expert Phil Klotzbach calculated that the entire day — based on universal time — Friday had an ACE of 16. That beat out the region's record of 14.3 set on Sept. 11, 1961. Thursday now ranks third for ACE with 14.2 and Wednesday ranks fourth at 14.1.
"I can't keep up with all the records," says Mr Klotzbach, who keeps numerous hurricane records.
Scientists use a measurement called Accumulated Cyclone Energy (ACE) to give a good snapshot of hurricane activity because it combines storms' wind speeds and how long they spin at such speeds.
With Irma and Jose Category 4 storms and Katia knocking on the door Category 3, Colorado State University hurricane expert Phil Klotzbach calculated that the entire day — based on universal time — Friday had an ACE of 16. That beat out the region's record of 14.3 set on Sept. 11, 1961. Thursday now ranks third for ACE with 14.2 and Wednesday ranks fourth at 14.1.
"I can't keep up with all the records," says Mr Klotzbach, who keeps numerous hurricane records.
Trump signs $15.3 billion Harvey aid package that raises debt limit, funds government until Dec. 8 bit.ly/2vUb1vq
Praying for my family in florida even i dont like ya i still want you safe #IrmaHurricane2017
Even Virginia has declared a state of emergency in preparation for Irma.
The office of governor Terry McAuliffe said while the track of the hurricane was still uncertain it's likely Virginia will see 'significant' impacts as a result of the storm
The office of governor Terry McAuliffe said while the track of the hurricane was still uncertain it's likely Virginia will see 'significant' impacts as a result of the storm
Former governor Jeb Bush tells CNN Florida has the most stringent building code in the country - something he believes will help residents
The death toll from Hurricane Irma has risen to 22 as the storm continues its destructive path through the Caribbean, according to the Associated Press.
The dead include 11 on St. Martin and St. Barts, four in the US Virgin Islands and four in the British Virgin Islands. There was also one each in Barbuda, Anguilla, and Barbados.
The dead include 11 on St. Martin and St. Barts, four in the US Virgin Islands and four in the British Virgin Islands. There was also one each in Barbuda, Anguilla, and Barbados.
This might be very useful information:
If you’re directed to evacuate due to #Irma and need a safe place to go, you can find a list of shelters in our app: fema.gov/mobile-app
The Palm Beach Post newspaper is evacuating its building in Palm Beach County, Florida, due to Hurricane Irma.
Publisher Timothy Burke informed the staff in a memo on Thursday night. In the memo, Mr Burke acknowledged that some employees had arranged to have their families stay at the building while they worked.
Publisher Timothy Burke informed the staff in a memo on Thursday night. In the memo, Mr Burke acknowledged that some employees had arranged to have their families stay at the building while they worked.
Acting Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke said: "This is a precautionary measure to ensure we have enough fuel to support lifesaving efforts, respond to the storm, and restore critical services and critical infrastructure."
The Homeland Security Department is temporarily waiving federal restrictions on foreign ships' transportation of cargo in order to help distribute fuel to states and territories affected by hurricanes Harvey and Irma, the Associated Press reports
Gulp....
No storm on record, anywhere on the globe, has maintained winds 185mph or above for as long as #Irmabuff.ly/2jbJO1l#ActOnClimate
If preparing for the arrival of a hurricane isn't enough, thrill seekers can still head to some of Florida's theme parks on Saturday.
Officials at Walt Disney World in Orlando have said that its parks will close on Saturday and remain closed through Monday.
Universal Orlando announced on its website that it will close at 7pm Saturday and will remain closed through Monday. Officials said they anticipate reopening on Tuesday.
SeaWorld in Orlando and Busch Gardens, which is in Tampa, also announced plans to shut down at 5pm Saturday and remain closed until Monday.
Universal Orlando announced on its website that it will close at 7pm Saturday and will remain closed through Monday. Officials said they anticipate reopening on Tuesday.
SeaWorld in Orlando and Busch Gardens, which is in Tampa, also announced plans to shut down at 5pm Saturday and remain closed until Monday.
Heavy rain and howling winds raked the neighbouring island of Antigua, sending debris flying as people huddled in their homes or government shelters.
Officials had warned people to seek protection from Irma's "onslaught" in a statement that closed with: "May God protect us all."
The US National Hurricane Centre's forecast was for the winds to fluctuate slightly but for the storm to remain at Category 4 or 5 strength for the next day or so.
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said the UK was "taking swift action to respond" to the disaster after speaking to the chief minister of Anguilla, a British overseas territory that was among the first islands to be hit.
Britons in the region have been urged to follow evacuation orders, while states of emergency have been declared in Puerto Rico, Cuba and Florida - amid fears Miami could be struck directly by the hurricane.
A British naval ship has been deployed to help deal with the aftermath with 40 Royal Marines on board, as well as army engineers and equipment, as authorities struggle to bring aid to smaller islands.
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