This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2017/sep/07/hurricane-irma-live-latest-updates-caribbean

The article has changed 73 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 26 Version 27
Hurricane Irma live updates: warning issued for Florida as storm pummels Bahamas and Haiti Hurricane Irma live updates: warning issued for Florida as storm pummels Bahamas and Haiti
(35 minutes later)
6.26am BST
06:26
The ongoing effects of Irma – as well as lack of power and communications – are hampering reports from the islands it has already passed over.
Press Association has this from the British Virgin Islands:
Houses were reduced to foundations following the devastating storm.
Images posted on social media showed entire structures razed to the ground, with debris scattered across the streets.
Sharon Flax-Brutus, director of tourism for the group of more than 60 islands, said:
The destruction caused by Hurricane Irma in the British Virgin Islands has been devastating. The destination has lost entire structures and many homes are without roofs, or have been diminished to merely foundations.”
She added communication between the islands has been difficult as mobile phone towers had come down – meaning it was tricky to gauge the full extent of the damage.
6.15am BST
06:15
Where does Irma go next?
The eye of the storm is moving on to the southern Bahamas. The US National Hurricane Center warned that storm surges could lift water levels in south-eastern and central Bahamas by 15-20ft (4.5-6m) above normal levels.
Bahamas prime minister Hubert Minnis said his government had evacuated people from six islands in the south to the capital, Nassau, in the largest storm evacuation in the country’s history. Airports have been closed.
A hurricane warning is in place in Cuba, where tourists are being evacuated and residents of coastal towns told to move inland.
By late Saturday, Irma is forecast to hit Florida, where mandatory evacuation orders have already been issued for Florida Keys and swaths of southern and coastal Florida. All hospitals in the Florida Keys archipelago will close at 7am Friday, and coast guard and rescue services have left.
Updated
at 6.16am BST
5.48am BST5.48am BST
05:4805:48
Naaman ZhouNaaman Zhou
Guylee Simmonds, a volunteer with British charity Hope Health Action, is in Haiti, in the northern city of Cap-Haïtien, which on Thursday night bore the brunt of Irma’s outer fringes, and where at least two people have been reported injured.Guylee Simmonds, a volunteer with British charity Hope Health Action, is in Haiti, in the northern city of Cap-Haïtien, which on Thursday night bore the brunt of Irma’s outer fringes, and where at least two people have been reported injured.
He says the outcome has been better than most people feared, a relief for a country that has “had some pretty bad luck”:He says the outcome has been better than most people feared, a relief for a country that has “had some pretty bad luck”:
It’s rained for most of the last 12 hours, but it does look like we haven’t sustained a particularly major hit.It’s rained for most of the last 12 hours, but it does look like we haven’t sustained a particularly major hit.
There have been some fairly high wind speeds and heavy rain, but it has not reached the severity we had been expecting. But there’s going to be ongoing bad weather for a couple of days I expect, and in Haiti a lot of the poorest communities here are at high risk of flooding.There have been some fairly high wind speeds and heavy rain, but it has not reached the severity we had been expecting. But there’s going to be ongoing bad weather for a couple of days I expect, and in Haiti a lot of the poorest communities here are at high risk of flooding.
It’s incredibly fortunate that the storm has passed a bit further north. Our thoughts are with Turks and Caicos.It’s incredibly fortunate that the storm has passed a bit further north. Our thoughts are with Turks and Caicos.
He said the hospital he worked at was preparing to see an influx of patients once the scale of damage became clear:He said the hospital he worked at was preparing to see an influx of patients once the scale of damage became clear:
We were operating with skeleton staff. We reduced our outpatient care in the leadup to the storm, but our inpatient care remained. We were already close to capacity.We were operating with skeleton staff. We reduced our outpatient care in the leadup to the storm, but our inpatient care remained. We were already close to capacity.
I expect outpatient care won’t resume until the following day as we assess any damage done. I expect people with worse constructed homes will have sustained more damage.I expect outpatient care won’t resume until the following day as we assess any damage done. I expect people with worse constructed homes will have sustained more damage.
We’ll see what daylight brings.We’ll see what daylight brings.
5.38am BST5.38am BST
05:3805:38
Irma was the first time the Turks and Caicos islands had experienced a category 5 hurricane.Irma was the first time the Turks and Caicos islands had experienced a category 5 hurricane.
Ahead of its arrival, Virginia Clerveaux, director of disaster management and emergencies for the island group, warned:Ahead of its arrival, Virginia Clerveaux, director of disaster management and emergencies for the island group, warned:
We are expecting inundation from both rainfall as well as storm surge. And we may not be able to come rescue [people] in a timely manner.We are expecting inundation from both rainfall as well as storm surge. And we may not be able to come rescue [people] in a timely manner.
The few tourists who remained on the Turks and Caicos islands were in hotels, as were some locals, Reuters reports.The few tourists who remained on the Turks and Caicos islands were in hotels, as were some locals, Reuters reports.
A Reuters witness described the roof and walls of a well-built house shaking hard as the screaming storm rocked the island of Providenciales and caused a drop in pressure that could be felt in people’s chests.A Reuters witness described the roof and walls of a well-built house shaking hard as the screaming storm rocked the island of Providenciales and caused a drop in pressure that could be felt in people’s chests.
5.23am BST5.23am BST
05:2305:23
Among the properties forced to evacuate in Florida is President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, the Miami Herald reports:Among the properties forced to evacuate in Florida is President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, the Miami Herald reports:
President Donald Trump’s seaside Mar-a-Lago resort has been ordered to evacuate because of Hurricane Irma, along with the barrier islands and low-lying areas of Palm Beach County.President Donald Trump’s seaside Mar-a-Lago resort has been ordered to evacuate because of Hurricane Irma, along with the barrier islands and low-lying areas of Palm Beach County.
Trump has returned repeatedly to the private club – which he bought in 1985 – to relax and conduct state business since becoming president.Trump has returned repeatedly to the private club – which he bought in 1985 – to relax and conduct state business since becoming president.
Mar-a-Lago, which overlooks the ocean on Palm Beach, was built in 1927. Summer is the slow tourist season in South Florida.Mar-a-Lago, which overlooks the ocean on Palm Beach, was built in 1927. Summer is the slow tourist season in South Florida.
Trump also owns three golf courses in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties, as well as an 11-bedroom mansion on the French side of the Caribbean island of St Martin.Trump also owns three golf courses in Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties, as well as an 11-bedroom mansion on the French side of the Caribbean island of St Martin.
5.09am BST5.09am BST
05:0905:09
Irma is about to make first contact with the Bahamas – specifically, Little Inagua (fortunately uninhabited) at the southernmost tip of the archipelago:Irma is about to make first contact with the Bahamas – specifically, Little Inagua (fortunately uninhabited) at the southernmost tip of the archipelago:
Little Inagua Island is about be engulfed by #Irma - the first Category 5 landfalling hurricane in the Bahamas since Andrew (1992). pic.twitter.com/YUF5URJw8HLittle Inagua Island is about be engulfed by #Irma - the first Category 5 landfalling hurricane in the Bahamas since Andrew (1992). pic.twitter.com/YUF5URJw8H
UpdatedUpdated
at 5.10am BSTat 5.10am BST
5.01am BST5.01am BST
05:0105:01
Florida is locking down, Associated Press reports:Florida is locking down, Associated Press reports:
Nasa secured Kennedy Space Center and SpaceX launched an unmanned rocket for an experimental flight. Kennedy closed its doors to all nonessential staff and a crew of about 120 people will ride out the storm on site.Nasa secured Kennedy Space Center and SpaceX launched an unmanned rocket for an experimental flight. Kennedy closed its doors to all nonessential staff and a crew of about 120 people will ride out the storm on site.
Most of the critical buildings at Kennedy are designed to withstand gusts of up to 135mph (220kph). Irma’s wind could exceed that if it reaches Cape Canaveral.Most of the critical buildings at Kennedy are designed to withstand gusts of up to 135mph (220kph). Irma’s wind could exceed that if it reaches Cape Canaveral.
4.54am BST4.54am BST
04:5404:54
Hurricane Jose is making its way towards Caribbean islands already battered by Irma.Hurricane Jose is making its way towards Caribbean islands already battered by Irma.
The US National Hurricane Center says Jose – a category 3 hurricane – “is expected to be near the northern Leeward Islands on Saturday”.The US National Hurricane Center says Jose – a category 3 hurricane – “is expected to be near the northern Leeward Islands on Saturday”.
This covers Barbuda, Antigua and Anguilla, the islands first hit by Irma.This covers Barbuda, Antigua and Anguilla, the islands first hit by Irma.
4.47am BST4.47am BST
04:4704:47
The Miami weather service has warned people in south Florida to make urgent plans to seek safety, saying:The Miami weather service has warned people in south Florida to make urgent plans to seek safety, saying:
This is a potentially deadly situation!This is a potentially deadly situation!
Residents and visitors must now implement emergency safety plans.Residents and visitors must now implement emergency safety plans.
Preparations to protect life and property should be completed by Friday night.Preparations to protect life and property should be completed by Friday night.
Take final shelter by early Saturday morning.Take final shelter by early Saturday morning.
4.35am BST4.35am BST
04:3504:35
Latest hurricane warningsLatest hurricane warnings
The US National Hurricane Center says the following locations are now subject to official hurricane warnings:The US National Hurricane Center says the following locations are now subject to official hurricane warnings:
Jupiter Inlet southward around the Florida peninsula to Bonita BeachJupiter Inlet southward around the Florida peninsula to Bonita Beach
Florida KeysFlorida Keys
Lake OkeechobeeLake Okeechobee
Florida BayFlorida Bay
Haiti from the northern border with the Dominican Republic to Le Mole St NicholasHaiti from the northern border with the Dominican Republic to Le Mole St Nicholas
South-eastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos IslandsSouth-eastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands
Cuban provinces of Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Sancti Spiritus, and Villa ClaraCuban provinces of Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Sancti Spiritus, and Villa Clara
Central BahamasCentral Bahamas
North-western BahamasNorth-western Bahamas
4.32am BST4.32am BST
04:3204:32
Flags are up at Key West! #Irma #HurricaneWarning pic.twitter.com/u4w7fVeEh2Flags are up at Key West! #Irma #HurricaneWarning pic.twitter.com/u4w7fVeEh2
4.28am BST4.28am BST
04:2804:28
Hurricane Irma breaks yet another record – now the longest lasting Atlantic storm this year:Hurricane Irma breaks yet another record – now the longest lasting Atlantic storm this year:
#Irma is now the longest-lived Atlantic named storm of the 2017 season to date - surpassing Harvey. pic.twitter.com/oAQhJJzalx#Irma is now the longest-lived Atlantic named storm of the 2017 season to date - surpassing Harvey. pic.twitter.com/oAQhJJzalx
4.23am BST4.23am BST
04:2304:23
Irma is currently over the Turks and Caicos Islands, moving westwards towards the south-eastern Bahamas throughout Thursday night.Irma is currently over the Turks and Caicos Islands, moving westwards towards the south-eastern Bahamas throughout Thursday night.
The hurricane will then track between the Bahamas and northern Cuba before hitting southern Florida.The hurricane will then track between the Bahamas and northern Cuba before hitting southern Florida.
4.19am BST4.19am BST
04:1904:19
This latest forecast says “severe hurricane conditions” are now expected to begin to hit the Florida peninsula and Florida Keys late on Saturday.This latest forecast says “severe hurricane conditions” are now expected to begin to hit the Florida peninsula and Florida Keys late on Saturday.
Storm surges and high winds are expected to hit the southern part of the state.Storm surges and high winds are expected to hit the southern part of the state.
UpdatedUpdated
at 4.19am BSTat 4.19am BST
4.09am BST4.09am BST
04:0904:09
The advice from the US National Hurricane Center has moved Florida into the official hurricane warning group for the first time.The advice from the US National Hurricane Center has moved Florida into the official hurricane warning group for the first time.
The areas covered by the warnings cover south Florida and the Florida Keys.The areas covered by the warnings cover south Florida and the Florida Keys.
As the NHC explains:As the NHC explains:
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 warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.
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.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.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.
4.05am BST4.05am BST
04:0504:05
Hurricane and storm surge warnings issued for FloridaHurricane and storm surge warnings issued for Florida
The latest update from the US National Hurricane Center issues upgraded warnings for South Florida and the Florida Keys:The latest update from the US National Hurricane Center issues upgraded warnings for South Florida and the Florida Keys:
A hurricane warning has been issued from Jupiter Inlet southward around the Florida peninsula to Bonita Beach, as well as for the Florida Keys, Lake Okeechobee, and Florida Bay.A hurricane warning has been issued from Jupiter Inlet southward around the Florida peninsula to Bonita Beach, as well as for the Florida Keys, Lake Okeechobee, and Florida Bay.
A storm surge warning has been issued from Jupiter Inlet southward around the Florida peninsula to Bonita Beach, as well as for the Florida Keys.A storm surge warning has been issued from Jupiter Inlet southward around the Florida peninsula to Bonita Beach, as well as for the Florida Keys.