10 Sep 2017 | 07:50 AM UTC
United States: Hurricane Irma expected to hit Florida Sep. 10 /update 4
Southeastern US prepares for Hurricane Irma to make landfall on September 10; evacuation orders continue
Event
Hurricane Irma is expected to strengthen to a Category 5 storm before hitting Florida on Sunday, September 10. As of 14:00 (EDT) on Saturday, September 9, Irma is a Category 3 hurricane and located about 235 km (145 mi) southeast of Key West, Florida, with maximum sustained winds at 205 km/h (125 mph). Irma is moving west at a speed of 15 km/h (9 mph). The hurricane is expected to reach the Florida Keys on Sunday morning before moving along the southwest coast of Florida throughout the day.
Officials continue to issue evacuation and curfew notices in preparation for the storm. Authorities in Broward county, Florida, issued a county-wide curfew starting at 16:00 (local time) on Saturday until further notice. Florida Governor Rick Scott said that as of 10:15 on September 9, over 25,000 people in the state have lost power. Scott also warned individuals living in the evacuation areas to leave by noon as storm surges may reach up to 4 m (12 ft) in some areas. More than six million people have been ordered or advised to evacuate from Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina before the storm hits.
Context
Mandatory evacuations have already been ordered for much of southern and central Florida and the Atlantic coast of Georgia. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster ordered mandatory evacuations of islands of South Carolina
on Friday, September 8. The evacuation order applies to the islands in
Coleton, Beaufort, and Jasper counties, and is to be completed by 10:00
(local time) on Saturday, September 9.
At least 20 people have been killed across the Caribbean as a result of the massive storm, including four in the US Virgin Islands. Hurricane warnings are currently in place for Florida (Sebastian Inlet southward around the Florida peninsula to Anna Maria Island, the Florida Keys, Lake Okeechobee, and Florida Bay), Cuba (provinces of Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Sancti Spiritus, and Villa Clara), and the Central and Northwestern Bahamas. There is also a hurricane watch and tropical storm warning in Cuba (Guantanamo, Holguin, Las Tunas, and Matanzas provinces). Storm Surge Watches are in effect for Florida (North of Sebastion Inlet to the Flagler/Volusia County line, North of Venice to Anclote River, and Tampa Bay).
Advice
Individuals present in the southeast US are advised to keep abreast of weather alerts, confirm travel reservations, avoid coastal areas due to the risk of flooding, and adhere to all advice issued by the local authorities. Remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous; 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult. Finally, because floodwater may also contain wastewater or chemical products, wear boots and try to avoid any contact with the water. All items having come into contact with the water should be washed and disinfected. Dispose of any food that may have come into contact with floodwater.
