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Hurricane Irma: storm heads for most populous Florida county – latest news Hurricane Irma: storm heads for Miami Dade, Florida's most populous county – latest news
(35 minutes later)
11.37pm BST
23:37
What we know so far
Alan Yuhas
The eye of Hurricane Irma, still a category 5 storm with sustained winds of 175mph (290kph), has moved westward off the northern coast of Hispaniola, its arms raking across Dominican Republic and Haiti. The storm is currently bearing down on the British territories of Turks and Caicos, and projected to move toward the southern Bahamas.
At least 12 people have been confirmed dead in the wake of the storm. The confirmed fatalities include an infant on Barbuda, one person in Anguilla, three people in Puerto Rico, three in the US Virgin Islands, and four in the French territory of St Martin.
Thousands more remain in shelters, their homes damaged or destroyed. In Puerto Rico, almost a million people are without power and 50,000 without water, according to the US territory’s department of emergency relief.
South Florida was placed on watch, with more than 750,000 people ordered to evacuate barrier islands and coastal areas. The NWS warned that storm surges of five to 10ft (up to 3 metres) could begin in the next 48 hours. Governor Rick Scott said that a storm surge moved by a storm this strong “could cover your house”, and pleaded with residents not to underestimate the hurricane. More than 500,000 people were ordered to evacuate from coastal Georgia.
“Every Florida family must be prepared to evacuate regardless of the coast you live on,” Scott said, stressing the gigantic scale of the storm. “We can rebuild your home but we cannot rebuild your life.”
The storm is expected to descend somewhere on the Florida coast on Friday night or early Saturday, though it remains unclear where or when exactly the hurricane will fall the mainland. The Keys will have no rescue services or hospitals from Friday morning onward, authorities warned.
The National Weather Service warned residents that winds and floods could make buildings “uninhabitable for weeks or months”, and authorities raced to bring fuel to areas with shortages.
On Barbuda, prime minister Gaston Browne said Irma had made 90% of the tiny island’s structures “literally rubble” and that half the population was homeless. On French-administered St Martin, local councilman Daniel Gibbs told a local radio station “95% of the island is destroyed”. French authorities have sent naval ships with supplies to the island, and the UK has sent a vessel with supplies to its Virgin Islands territories.
In Haiti and the Dominican Republican, authorities closed all schools. Haitian president Jovenal Moïse urged people in rural areas to head to shelters and out of the mountains. On the Bahamas, prime minister Hubert Minnis ordered people to leave six southern islands, the largest evacuation in the country’s history.
East of the Caribbean, hurricane Jose grew to a category three storm, on course to strike some of the small islands that have barely emerged from Irma’s winds.
11.23pm BST
23:23
The governor of Puerto Rico is meeting with residents and surveying the damage, writing on Twitter: “our people of Culbera and their city government can count on the support and attention of the central government for their recovery.”
Nuestra gente de #Culebra y el Gobierno Municipal cuenta el respaldo y la atención del Gobierno Central para la recuperación. pic.twitter.com/x4TIKOGcsg
And in Dominican Republic, United Nations staff begin to take stock of what’s left from Irma’s recent departure.
[FOTOS] Situación hoy en #Nagua #RepDom por el #HuracanIrma #Irma #HurricaneIrma @PNUDLAC @pnud pic.twitter.com/unJJhVBuDt
10.57pm BST10.57pm BST
22:5722:57
Northbound routes out of Florida have become jammed with traffic, as more than half a million people flee southern evacuation zones of the state and airports prepare for their final flights before closing on Friday. Hundreds of thousands more were ordered to evacuate coastal areas of Georgia, as the state’s governor prepared for worst-case scenarios.Northbound routes out of Florida have become jammed with traffic, as more than half a million people flee southern evacuation zones of the state and airports prepare for their final flights before closing on Friday. Hundreds of thousands more were ordered to evacuate coastal areas of Georgia, as the state’s governor prepared for worst-case scenarios.
The AP reports from I-95 and I-75, the largest roads leading north out of Florida and Georgia.The AP reports from I-95 and I-75, the largest roads leading north out of Florida and Georgia.
Mari and Neal Michaud loaded their two children and dog into their small sport-utility vehicle and left their home near Cocoa Beach about 10am, bound for an impromptu vacation in Washington, D.C. Using a phone app and calls to search for fuel along the way, they finally arrived at a convenience store that had gasoline nearly five hours later.Mari and Neal Michaud loaded their two children and dog into their small sport-utility vehicle and left their home near Cocoa Beach about 10am, bound for an impromptu vacation in Washington, D.C. Using a phone app and calls to search for fuel along the way, they finally arrived at a convenience store that had gasoline nearly five hours later.
The 60-mile trip up Interstate 95 should have taken an hour, said Mari Michaud.The 60-mile trip up Interstate 95 should have taken an hour, said Mari Michaud.
“There was no gas and it’s gridlock. People are stranded on the sides of the highway,” she said. “It’s 92 degrees out and little kids are out on the grass on the side of the road. No one can help them.”“There was no gas and it’s gridlock. People are stranded on the sides of the highway,” she said. “It’s 92 degrees out and little kids are out on the grass on the side of the road. No one can help them.”
NEW: @ABC now estimates 1.2M Florida residents are under a mandatory evacuation ahead of Hurricane #Irma.
Noel Marsden said he, his girlfriend, her son and their dog left Pembroke Pines north of Miami with plans to ride out Irma in Savannah, only to find the city was also shutting down because of Irma. Marsden isn’t sure where they’ll all end up.Noel Marsden said he, his girlfriend, her son and their dog left Pembroke Pines north of Miami with plans to ride out Irma in Savannah, only to find the city was also shutting down because of Irma. Marsden isn’t sure where they’ll all end up.
“I’ve got a buddy in Atlanta and a buddy in Charlotte. We’ll wind up one of those two places because there are not hotels, I can tell you that,” he said.“I’ve got a buddy in Atlanta and a buddy in Charlotte. We’ll wind up one of those two places because there are not hotels, I can tell you that,” he said.
The last time Georgia was struck by a hurricane of force Category 3 or higher happened in 1898. The last Category 5 storm to hit Florida was Andrew in 1992. Its winds topped 165 mph (265 kph), killing 65 people and inflicting $26 billion in damage. It was at the time the most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history.The last time Georgia was struck by a hurricane of force Category 3 or higher happened in 1898. The last Category 5 storm to hit Florida was Andrew in 1992. Its winds topped 165 mph (265 kph), killing 65 people and inflicting $26 billion in damage. It was at the time the most expensive natural disaster in U.S. history.
Updated
at 11.13pm BST
10.26pm BST10.26pm BST
22:2622:26
Death toll rises to 12 confirmedDeath toll rises to 12 confirmed
The Associated Press reports that three people have died in the US Virgin Islands, according to American officials there.The Associated Press reports that three people have died in the US Virgin Islands, according to American officials there.
Governor spokesman Samuel Topp said Thursday that the deaths occurred in the St. Thomas and St. Johns district. Officials say crews are clearing many roads that remain inaccessible. The category storm destroyed homes, schools and roads as it roared through the northeast Caribbean this week and heads toward Florida.Governor spokesman Samuel Topp said Thursday that the deaths occurred in the St. Thomas and St. Johns district. Officials say crews are clearing many roads that remain inaccessible. The category storm destroyed homes, schools and roads as it roared through the northeast Caribbean this week and heads toward Florida.
Nine other people were confirmed killed by the storm around the Caribbean: an infant on Barbuda, one person in Anguilla, three people in Puerto Rico, and four in the French territory of St Martin. France’s interior minister at first said eight people had been killed, but the nation’s prime minister later said he could only confirm four killed. Officials said they expect the toll to increase as search and rescue efforts begin.Nine other people were confirmed killed by the storm around the Caribbean: an infant on Barbuda, one person in Anguilla, three people in Puerto Rico, and four in the French territory of St Martin. France’s interior minister at first said eight people had been killed, but the nation’s prime minister later said he could only confirm four killed. Officials said they expect the toll to increase as search and rescue efforts begin.
10.14pm BST10.14pm BST
22:1422:14
More than 250,000 people have been ordered to evacuate from parts of Palm Beach County, officials said, effective Friday morning at 10am local time.More than 250,000 people have been ordered to evacuate from parts of Palm Beach County, officials said, effective Friday morning at 10am local time.
The areas include barrier islands, areas near Jupiter, mobile homes, and low coastal areas and neighborhoods and towns along the intracostal waterways running up and down the coast. The storm surge, in particular, will be unusually large and dangerous.The areas include barrier islands, areas near Jupiter, mobile homes, and low coastal areas and neighborhoods and towns along the intracostal waterways running up and down the coast. The storm surge, in particular, will be unusually large and dangerous.
“It’s not something that we’ve seen in our lifetime. The strength of this storm is remarkable and it’s not remarkable in a good way,” a local official says at a press briefing.”“It’s not something that we’ve seen in our lifetime. The strength of this storm is remarkable and it’s not remarkable in a good way,” a local official says at a press briefing.”
County officials are urging people who are not in evacuation zones to have battery-powered lights, extra charges for cell phones, bottled water, and sealed food, among other supplies. “It may be days before public assistance can get to you,” the official says.County officials are urging people who are not in evacuation zones to have battery-powered lights, extra charges for cell phones, bottled water, and sealed food, among other supplies. “It may be days before public assistance can get to you,” the official says.
He adds that there are four general population shelters opening in the county on Friday at 3pm local time. “The message from the state, from the governor, is that there are a lot of people on the highway, a lot of people trying to get some place, and the roads are not able to handle that.”He adds that there are four general population shelters opening in the county on Friday at 3pm local time. “The message from the state, from the governor, is that there are a lot of people on the highway, a lot of people trying to get some place, and the roads are not able to handle that.”
BREAKING: 261,000 Palm Beach County residents either urged or ordered to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Irma https://t.co/oSECYmrkIL pic.twitter.com/34mQ9WsJwrBREAKING: 261,000 Palm Beach County residents either urged or ordered to evacuate ahead of Hurricane Irma https://t.co/oSECYmrkIL pic.twitter.com/34mQ9WsJwr
9.56pm BST9.56pm BST
21:5621:56
Florida falls squarely in 5pm forecastFlorida falls squarely in 5pm forecast
American forecasters have just updated their projections for Irma with an ominous tack west, toward Miami-Dade County – the most populous county in Florida – and a path through the center of the state.American forecasters have just updated their projections for Irma with an ominous tack west, toward Miami-Dade County – the most populous county in Florida – and a path through the center of the state.
HERE is the 5pm track-- suggests #Irma could go right over Orlando and more inland areas. @TTerryWFTV with a calm, steady voice on #WFTV. pic.twitter.com/Kua7aa1yYWHERE is the 5pm track-- suggests #Irma could go right over Orlando and more inland areas. @TTerryWFTV with a calm, steady voice on #WFTV. pic.twitter.com/Kua7aa1yYW
UpdatedUpdated
at 10.34pm BSTat 10.34pm BST
9.50pm BST9.50pm BST
21:5021:50
Hurricane Jose grows to category 3Hurricane Jose grows to category 3
The National Weather Service has upgrade hurricane Jose, currently east of the Caribbean and heading toward the same islands just struck by Irma, to a category three storm, with additional growth possible in the next 24 to 36 hours.The National Weather Service has upgrade hurricane Jose, currently east of the Caribbean and heading toward the same islands just struck by Irma, to a category three storm, with additional growth possible in the next 24 to 36 hours.
Hurricane watches are in effect for Antigua and Barbuda, and tropical storm watches for Anguilla, Montserrat, St Kitts, and Nevis – islands that all either suffered brutal storms or narrowly avoided devastation from Irma.Hurricane watches are in effect for Antigua and Barbuda, and tropical storm watches for Anguilla, Montserrat, St Kitts, and Nevis – islands that all either suffered brutal storms or narrowly avoided devastation from Irma.
JUST IN: Jose strengthens to major Category 3 hurricane with 120 mph winds pic.twitter.com/2NAbmCf3oyJUST IN: Jose strengthens to major Category 3 hurricane with 120 mph winds pic.twitter.com/2NAbmCf3oy
9.39pm BST9.39pm BST
21:3921:39
As recovery workers reach St Maarten, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico in the wake of Irma, so do photographers, conveying the scope of the storm.As recovery workers reach St Maarten, the Dominican Republic, and Puerto Rico in the wake of Irma, so do photographers, conveying the scope of the storm.
9.30pm BST9.30pm BST
21:3021:30
Though a northward swerve appears increasingly unlikely for hurricane Irma before landfall on Florida, Georgia governor Nathan Deal has ordered mandatory evacuations from coastal areas of his state.Though a northward swerve appears increasingly unlikely for hurricane Irma before landfall on Florida, Georgia governor Nathan Deal has ordered mandatory evacuations from coastal areas of his state.
Like his colleagues in Florida, Deal appears to be taking no chances with Irma’s general northern trajectory, ordering people to prepare and leave the area sooner rather than later. The state’s emergency services have provided maps and more detail about the areas affected by the order.Like his colleagues in Florida, Deal appears to be taking no chances with Irma’s general northern trajectory, ordering people to prepare and leave the area sooner rather than later. The state’s emergency services have provided maps and more detail about the areas affected by the order.
Per @GovernorDeal: all areas E of I-95, all of Chatham Co. & some areas W of I-95 are under a MANDATORY evacuation. See maps for more info pic.twitter.com/8VJQ588T76Per @GovernorDeal: all areas E of I-95, all of Chatham Co. & some areas W of I-95 are under a MANDATORY evacuation. See maps for more info pic.twitter.com/8VJQ588T76
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.40pm BSTat 9.40pm BST
9.23pm BST9.23pm BST
21:2321:23
Time is running out for flights departing from southern Florida. Fort Lauderdale airport, which is with Miami International one of the major hubs of south Florida, will close its doors on Friday evening.Time is running out for flights departing from southern Florida. Fort Lauderdale airport, which is with Miami International one of the major hubs of south Florida, will close its doors on Friday evening.
Miami International has not yet said when its last flight will depart before the storm, but warned people that it should not be considered a haven from the hurricane. “The airport is not a designated shelter during a storm, and operational needs at MIA may require occupants to be evacuated to nearby shelters. Resources like food and water may also not be readily available in the airport during or after the storm.”Miami International has not yet said when its last flight will depart before the storm, but warned people that it should not be considered a haven from the hurricane. “The airport is not a designated shelter during a storm, and operational needs at MIA may require occupants to be evacuated to nearby shelters. Resources like food and water may also not be readily available in the airport during or after the storm.”
pic.twitter.com/fRR8OFSypFpic.twitter.com/fRR8OFSypF
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.24pm BSTat 9.24pm BST
9.16pm BST9.16pm BST
21:1621:16
Eric Blake, a National Hurricane Center scientist, has described Irma in stark, dire terms, urging people to listen to emergency managers and do everything possible to protect themselves and loved ones.Eric Blake, a National Hurricane Center scientist, has described Irma in stark, dire terms, urging people to listen to emergency managers and do everything possible to protect themselves and loved ones.
“This hurricane is as serious as any I have seen. No hype, just the hard facts. Take every life saving precaution you can,” Blake tweeted. “I have little doubt #Irma will go down as one of the most infamous in Atlantic hurricane history.”“This hurricane is as serious as any I have seen. No hype, just the hard facts. Take every life saving precaution you can,” Blake tweeted. “I have little doubt #Irma will go down as one of the most infamous in Atlantic hurricane history.”
“Trust the NHC professionals for the best possible forecast. Protect you and your loved ones. I hope I have a house to return to. I know it sounds dire. But a Category 4/5 into South Florida is one of those scenarios that sends chills.”“Trust the NHC professionals for the best possible forecast. Protect you and your loved ones. I hope I have a house to return to. I know it sounds dire. But a Category 4/5 into South Florida is one of those scenarios that sends chills.”
#Irma has me sick to my stomach. Need to be very lucky for it to miss Florida now. Prepare & follow advice of your local emergency manager. pic.twitter.com/Pk0QJTVhaB#Irma has me sick to my stomach. Need to be very lucky for it to miss Florida now. Prepare & follow advice of your local emergency manager. pic.twitter.com/Pk0QJTVhaB
9.05pm BST
21:05
In Samana, in the eastern Dominican Republic, the United Nations Development Programme is among the international effort to send experts to help recovery.
Alejandro Adames, a photographer with the organization, has sent along photos of some of the destruction: structures sliding into the sea, a road with a cavernous space eroded beneath it, downed wires and trees. Irma is moving north of Hispanolia, on course between the island and the British territories of Turks and Caicos, heading toward the southern Bahamas.
Beth Carroll, a coordinator with the Catholic Relief Services, is in Haiti on the other side of the island, which has suffered raking winds from the titanic hurricane. “Poor drainage in the low-lying northern coastal areas mean that even a small amount of rain can cause extensive flooding,” she said. “The rain and winds expected from Irma, which promises to be a monster of a storm, will potentially cause catastrophic flooding and landslides. That’s why we are so concerned now.”
8.51pm BST
20:51
Florida governor Rick Scott has stressed time and again the frustrating, dangerous unpredictability of hurricanes, noting that a sudden swerve remains entirely possible and could either spare the state or exacerbate a collision. The Washington Post has compiled a list of some possible courses – with many caveats – excerpted here:
Scathing winds but landfall averted: “In this scenario, Miami would be spared the dangerous right-hand side of the storm. Hurricanes are most dangerous to the right of their center, since their rotating winds couple with the storm’s forward motion, making the gusts inside that much stronger.If the center tracks just offshore, Miami would would still contend with serious storm conditions with winds sustained between 55-75mph and gusts to 90, along with 4 to 7 inches of rain. This would occur in the Saturday-Sunday timeframe.While the storm’s the western eyewall would pass just offshore of Miami in this scenario, storms of Irma’s intensity are subject to “trochoidal wobbles.” Think of a hurricane like a spinning top; because the top rotates so quickly, it way jog left or right a little bit as it treks along while rotating furiously. Irma is the same way. A wobble of just a few miles west or east as she passes Miami could thrust the city into extreme danger, so this is a high-stakes forecast.”
Landfall near Miami: “Some models turn the hurricane northward late enough that it cannot avoid slamming into Southeast Florida. In this scenario, the system may make landfall in Southern Florida as a major hurricane of at least Category 4 strength. A large-scale disaster would likely result.Major population centers, like Miami, would be exposed to the destructive winds of the hurricane eyewall, in which gusts may exceed 140mph. A catastrophic storm surge would sweep ashore, while devastating inland flooding would result from excessive rainfall.”
Northward through Florida: “In this scenario, Irma would move ashore somewhere between the Keys and Miami. All of Florida would see wind and rain, but the heaviest would be relegated to areas south of Route 75, including the Everglades, Homestead, and Key Biscayne.The worst conditions would sweep ashore to the right side of the eye, exposing the Miami metro area to extreme hurricane-force winds, a surge of at least several feet, and torrential downpours.”
A veer west: “A few model outliers hang on to the possibility that the storm rides up the west coast of Florida, then Key West, Naples, Fort Myers, Tampa, and Tallahassee would face the brunt of the storm – similar to Scenario 2 for southeast and eastern Florida. The most destructive winds and devastating storm surge would occur in Southwest Florida, assuming that’s where the center first came ashore.”
8.35pm BST
20:35
Florida governor: 'storm surges could cover your house'
Florida governor Rick Scott has again urged people up and down his state to prepare for worst case scenarios of the hurricane.
He notes that Floridians can go to JaxReady.com for more information, or the state’s Department of Emergency Management. If people are in need of hotels, he says Expedia is offering Florida-specific service, that JetBlue has capped flights out of Florida at $99, and that the app GasBuddy can help guide residents toward fuel. He again urges people to know their evacuation zone, and to act immediately if they are in a mandatory area.
Another official warns that if the storm stays on its current path, mandatory evacuation zones will expand, and more people will need to head north or to inland shelters. Scott says that the extraordinarily powerful winds of the storm mean it will not likely deluge Florida, like hurricane Harvey did to Texas. But it will
“My biggest concern right now is that people are not taking seriously enough the risk of storm surge,” Scott says. “A storm surge, we could have five to 10 feet of storm surge, it could cover your house.”
He also reiterates a warning about the unpredictable nature of the storm, that it could move east or west at a surprising moment: “this storm has the potential to catastrophically devastate our state, and you have to take this seriously.”
“It’s already killed a lot of people in the Caribbean, don’t think you can ride out this storm,” Scott says. “I cannot stress this enough: get prepared now.”
Finally, Scott pleads for more volunteers to help with shelters, food distribution, and other response efforts, saying the state needs 17,000 people in all to help. Volunteers can call 1.800.FLHELP1, he says.
Updated
at 8.38pm BST
8.22pm BST
20:22
Florida senator Marco Rubio has urged residents to act now, in the final hours before Irma makes landfall on the American mainland, most likely on the southern coast of his state. Governor Rick Scott is giving an afternoon press conference with the latest information on preparations, which we’ll have updates from shortly.
We have less than 16 hours of safe daylight to finish our prep. My shutters going up right now, you should too. #Sayfie 2/3
8.11pm BST
20:11
Miami-Dade expands evacuation zones
Carlos Gimenez, the mayor of Miami-Dade, has expanded evacuation orders to more coastal and increasingly inland regions.
The county had already ordered evacuations in Miami Beach and other barrier islands (Zone A and parts of Zone B); Gimenez has now ordered evacuations for Miami’s main financial and downtown condo districts (the rest of Zone B) and inland districts like South Miami and Coral Gables (Zone C). The orders affect more than 500,000 people.
The Miami Herald has more details on the orders, and Gimenez has urged residents to look at MiamiDade.gov for more information.
Evacuation order in effect for Zones A, B and parts of C. Visit https://t.co/dqaqdgaXtF for additional information. pic.twitter.com/pL7B12OKuA
7.54pm BST
19:54
As hurricane Irma barrels through the Caribbean on its course toward the mainland United States, people who have survived its passage or are still preparing for it have captured stunning, surreal images of the storm: boats stacked atop each other in the Virgin Islands, swelling turbid floods in Puerto Rico, Mustangs driving off to homemade barricades in Florida.
En el fuerte del pueblo de Arecibo. @adamonzon @DeborahWAPA pic.twitter.com/Qo5wCsgiuT
This is so Miami. Bright yellow mustang on causeway. Plywood on roof. Holding it with one hand, driving with the other #HurricaineIrma pic.twitter.com/kcjBHgyBNu
7.39pm BST
19:39
Donald Trump has declared a disaster for the US Virgin Islands, according to Thomas Bossert, a national security adviser to the president, and the UK has sent a military task for to its adjacent territories along with millions of pounds
@POTUS declares Major Disaster in #USVI @GovernorMapp & declares Emergency in #SC @henrymcmaster #HurricaneIrma Listen to local officials.
Britain has released £32m in emergency aid for its territories, as well as the ship HMS Ocean, carrying at least three helicopters, and hundreds of marines and royal engineers who will be sent in RAF transport planes. The trip ship will take 10 days to two weeks to reach the islands from the Mediterranean.
The Guardian’s Patrick Wintour reports:
The increased resources, and military hardware, came after an overnight assessment sent to the cabinet emergency committee Cobra concluded the devastation on the British overseas territories of Anguilla and the British Virgin Islands was worse than feared. Aid was increased from a planned £12m to £32m after Cobra met.
At least one person has been confirmed dead in Anguilla and there are concerns that another British overseas territory – the low-lying Turks and Caicos Islands – is in the line of the storm and likely to be battered. Evacuations have begun and tropical-force rains were expected to begin on Thursday afternoon local time.
7.23pm BST
19:23
Philip Levine, the mayor of Miami Beach, has told CNN that Irma is “a nuclear hurricane” and that all residents and visitors to the area should leave.
“This is a very serious, incredibly powerful storm. I call it a nuclear hurricane,” Levine said. “I recommend and strongly urge all our residents and visitors to leave Miami Beach. I’m aggressively going out there telling everyone get out of Miami Beach.”
Levine said that buses and city trolleys are working to get people off the barrier of Miami Beach and inland, toward shelters around Miami-Dade county. He warned people that first responders will be working to save people after the worst of the storm, but will be unable to help people in the most dangerous areas – such as Miami Beach and the Florida Keys – once the storm has reached them.
“When that storm hits we’re not going to put the lives of our first responders in jeopardy,” Levine said. “We don’t want heroes. This isn’t about devastation, it’s about evacuation.”
He added that although most of the city’s buildings built after hurricane Andrew, a devastating category five storm that hit Florida in 1992, are built to withstand such storms, people should take no chances. “I wouldn’t trust any building code, any building promise,” the mayor said. “I never thought I’d say this but leave Miami Beach, get out of Miami Beach.’
7.10pm BST
19:10
Little has changed with Irma’s trajectory with the 2pm eastern update, meaning huge consequences for millions of people in Florida are dependent on tiny, last minute changes in the course of the hurricane, notes meteorologist Ryan Maue.
Most recent GFS model traces well @NHC_Atlantic forecast track. Huge Hurricane #Irma effects dependent upon only 25-50 miles deviation pic.twitter.com/HJqPJ33a1g
Farther east in the Atlantic, hurricane Jose has grown to a category two storm, with maximum sustained winds of 105mph.
6.55pm BST
18:55
Hurricane Irma has left Puerto Rico with at least three dead and thousands more without power or water, but the island’s residents and government have allowed themselves a sigh of relief that the storm did not move slightly south, wreaking the same devastation as other islands more directly in its path.
Reuters reports from San Juan, where street signs, powerlines, and trees have fallen across the roads and onto buildings.
The storm’s eye did not come ashore in Puerto Rico but roared past with 185mph winds and hammered the coast with 30ft waves.“It was really not as bad as we had feared,” said Omar Alvarez, 53, a real state appraiser. “We had very high winds but we got lucky.”
“It was mostly wind, not water. In Hugo, the water came up to here,” he said, referring to the 1989 hurricane that had flooded his street just three blocks from the Atlantic Ocean.
Governor Ricardo Rossello warned the storm was expected to continue to drop rain on the island’s western side, raising the risk of landslides. Rescuers still were working in the island’s northeast, raising the possibility that more bodies could be discovered.
Some 6,300 people and 500 pets remained in shelters in the storm’s wake early Thursday.
“The Harvey experience had an effect of people,” lawyer Nereida Melendez, 59, said as she walked along a beach-side road covered in sand and palm leaves. “It just showed them what can happen. It made them take it more seriously.”
“Mostly what has happened here is that there is no electricity and a lot of trees are down,” said Rafael Ojeda, a 49-year-old lawyer. “Let’s see how fast the electricity comes back up.”
The storm came at a bad time for Puerto Rico, which is in the midst of trying to restructure some $70 billion in debts. Ojeda worried that and the demand for quick repairs to the power grid could lead to longer-term problems.
“The infrastructure is old and if you’re going to just patch it up and not fix it, the next time it is going to go,” he said.