10 Sep 2017 | 06:18 PM UTC
United States: Hurricane Irma makes landfall in Florida Keys September 10 /update 6
Hurricane Irma makes landfall in Florida Keys on September 10; three dead and 800,000 people without power
Event
Hurricane Irma made landfall in Florida Keys on the morning of Sunday, September 10 at approximately 09:10 (local time) and the death toll in Florida has risen to three. The Category 4 storm left approximately 800,000 people in 19 Florida counties without power. The storm is reportedly packing maximum sustained winds of 209 km/h (130 mph) and dangerous storm surges have been reported from Cape Sable to Captiva.
Storm surge warnings are in effect from Brevard County to Tampa Bay, and Manatee County officials announced a curfew from 15:00 on Sunday to 15:00 on Monday. Approximately 72,000 people have been moved into more than 390 shelters across the state.
Governor of Florida, Rick Scott, has warned people to remain inside until the Hurricane has passed. Meteorologists said that central Florida, Tampa, Fort Myers, Naples, and Key West will likely be devastated by the storm.
Context
At least 25 people have been killed across the Caribbean as a result of Hurricane Irma, including four in the US Virgin Islands.
Mandatory evacuations were ordered for much of southern and central Florida and the Atlantic coast of Georgia in the past week. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster ordered mandatory evacuations of islands of South Carolina on Friday, September 8. More than 6 million people across Florida have evacuated in anticipation of the storm.
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.
