10 Sep 2017 | 02:43 PM UTC
United States: Hurricane Irma strehthens as it close Florida Keys /update 5
Hurricane Irma gained strengh early on Sunday, September 10 as it nears Florida Keys, with officials upgrading it to a Category 4 storm
Event
The hurricane Irma became a category four storm in the early hours of Sunday, September 10, with maximum sustained winds of 130mph (209km/h) as it nears Florida Keys. More than 200,000 people in Florida remain without power in the eraly hours of Sunday.
The National Hurricane Center has issued on Sunday morning (2 AM local time, 6 AM GMT) the following warnings:
"A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for:
South Santee River southward to Jupiter Inlet
North Miami Beach southward around the Florida peninsula to the Ochlockonee River
Tampa Bay
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for:
Fernandina Beach southward around the Florida peninsula to Indian Pass
Florida Bay
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for:
North of Fernandina Beach to Edisto Beach
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for:
West of Indian Pass to the Okaloosa/Walton County Line
North of Fernandina Beach to South Santee River
A Storm Surge Warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, during the next 36 hours in the indicated locations. This is a life-threatening situation. Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions. Promptly follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials.
A Hurricane Warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.
A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area. A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous".
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. More than six million people have been ordered or advised to evacuate
from Florida, Georgia, and South Carolina before the storm hits.
At least 25 people have been killed across the Caribbean as a result of the massive storm, including four in the US Virgin Islands.
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.
