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Hurricane Irma: Visual guide Hurricane Irma: Visual guide
(about 1 hour later)
The most powerful Atlantic storm in a decade has begun to hit islands in the Caribbean, bringing winds of up to 300km/h (185mph). The most powerful Atlantic storm in a decade has caused widespread destruction across the Caribbean and left at least nine people dead.
The category five hurricane, the highest possible level, has destroyed buildings and caused major flooding on several Caribbean islands. Hurricane Irma has left the small island of Barbuda "barely habitable" and St Martin almost destroyed.
It first hit Antigua and Barbuda, before moving on to the Leeward Islands. It is expected to move on towards Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic before hitting the US. The category five hurricane, the highest possible level, is packing winds of up to 295km/h (185mph).
Irma is accompanied by two more storms that have strengthened to become hurricanes - one ahead of it and one behind.
Irma's clouds are very, very coldIrma's clouds are very, very cold
Infrared data from the Nasa-National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Suomi NPP satellite on 4 September revealed very cold, very high, powerful thunderstorms on Irma's western side.Infrared data from the Nasa-National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Suomi NPP satellite on 4 September revealed very cold, very high, powerful thunderstorms on Irma's western side.
Storms with cloud tops reaching very low temperatures have the capability to generate "very heavy rainfall", according to Nasa.Storms with cloud tops reaching very low temperatures have the capability to generate "very heavy rainfall", according to Nasa.
Infrared image of Irma, 4 September 04:32 local time (16:32 GMT)Infrared image of Irma, 4 September 04:32 local time (16:32 GMT)
Cloud-top temperatures at the centre of the storm were near minus 83.5C (minus 117.7F), Nasa said.Cloud-top temperatures at the centre of the storm were near minus 83.5C (minus 117.7F), Nasa said.
Irma is generating a lot of rainIrma is generating a lot of rain
The eye of the storm is about 35 miles across and is generating "extreme rainfall".The eye of the storm is about 35 miles across and is generating "extreme rainfall".
Nasa rainfall analysis of Irma's eye, 5 SeptemberNasa rainfall analysis of Irma's eye, 5 September
Nasa's rainfall analysis showed rain falling at a rate of more than 274mm (10.8in) per hour on 5 September in the solid ring of storms within Irma's eye.Nasa's rainfall analysis showed rain falling at a rate of more than 274mm (10.8in) per hour on 5 September in the solid ring of storms within Irma's eye.
The powerful storms rotating around the eye were really tall, reaching altitudes greater than 12.5km (7.75 miles).The powerful storms rotating around the eye were really tall, reaching altitudes greater than 12.5km (7.75 miles).
But the tallest thunderstorms were found south west of Irma's eye, reaching heights of more than 16.2km (10 miles), Nasa said.But the tallest thunderstorms were found south west of Irma's eye, reaching heights of more than 16.2km (10 miles), Nasa said.
Irma grew in strength over a few daysIrma grew in strength over a few days
The remnants of Hurricane Harvey, which hit in late August, could still be seen by satellite when Irma crossed the Atlantic towards the Caribbean.The remnants of Hurricane Harvey, which hit in late August, could still be seen by satellite when Irma crossed the Atlantic towards the Caribbean.
Irma and remnants of Hurricane Harvey, 2 SeptemberIrma and remnants of Hurricane Harvey, 2 September
Irma was just a category two storm seen here on 2 September, but soon became category three.Irma was just a category two storm seen here on 2 September, but soon became category three.
Irma, 4 SeptemberIrma, 4 September
By 4 September, the storm was creating winds of near 115mph (185 km/h), and was moving westwards at about 14mph (22 km/h).By 4 September, the storm was creating winds of near 115mph (185 km/h), and was moving westwards at about 14mph (22 km/h).
Irma, 6 SeptemberIrma, 6 September
Between 2 and 5 September Irma strengthened from a category three to a category five storm, the highest possible level.Between 2 and 5 September Irma strengthened from a category three to a category five storm, the highest possible level.
By 6 September, the hurricane was bearing down on the Caribbean, battering many island communities.By 6 September, the hurricane was bearing down on the Caribbean, battering many island communities.
Irma is being followed by another tropical storm, Jose, which is also expected to reach hurricane strength.Irma is being followed by another tropical storm, Jose, which is also expected to reach hurricane strength.
Irma will hit many placesIrma will hit many places
Hurricane Irma is expected to pass over many of the Caribbean's islands before reaching the US on Saturday. Hurricane Irma is expected to hit many of the Caribbean's islands before reaching the US on Saturday.
There are hurricane warnings for: Islands already hit:
Storm Jose has formed further out in the Atlantic behind Irma, and is expected to become a hurricane by Wednesday, according to the US National Hurricane Center. Islands at risk:
Storm Jose has formed further out in the Atlantic behind Irma, and has been upgraded to hurricane status.
And storm Katia, in the Gulf of Mexico, has also been upgraded. A warning was in effect for the coast of the Mexican state of Veracruz.
The impact could be 'catastrophic'The impact could be 'catastrophic'
Officials have warned Hurricane Irma could have "potentially catastrophic" effects.Officials have warned Hurricane Irma could have "potentially catastrophic" effects.
The National Hurricane Center says Irma will bring "life-threatening" winds, storm surges and rainfall.The National Hurricane Center says Irma will bring "life-threatening" winds, storm surges and rainfall.
Airports have closed on several islands, which are popular holiday destinations, and authorities have urged people to go to public shelters. The National Hurricane Center has issued warnings about possible storm surges raising water levels from between 30-90cm (3-5ft) in northern Haiti and the northern Dominican Republic to between 4.5-6m (15-20ft) in the south-eastern Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands.
The National Hurricane Center has issued warnings about possible storm surges raising water levels from between 30-90cm (3-5ft) in northern Haiti and the northern Dominican Republic to between 4.5-6m (15-20ft) in the southeastern Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands. Storm surges are caused by the winds swirling around a hurricane pushing the water towards the shore.
Storm surges are caused by the winds swirling around a hurricane pushing the water towards the shore. This advancing surge, when combined with a high tide, can lead to widespread flooding in coastal and low-lying areas. This advancing surge, when combined with a high tide, can lead to widespread flooding in coastal and low-lying areas.