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Hurricane Irma batters Bahamas and Haiti as Florida evacuates – latest updates Hurricane Irma batters Bahamas and Haiti as Florida evacuates – latest updates
(35 minutes later)
10.42am BST
10:42
Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte says the runway on St Maarten has been cleared and first aid flight has arrived.
In a Facebook update he said there has been enormous destruction and upheaval on the Franco-Dutch island.
“Many inhabitants are devoid of basic necessities,” Rutte said.
He added:
“We’ve been able to clear the runway at the airport and a first plane has landed. Our troops have been able to unload supplies at the port. We are now trying to get as much food, water and medicine as possible in the shortest possible time.
We need to hurry because the next hurricane is coming. The latest reports are that hurricane José is less powerful and Sint Maarten and will pass further from the island. That is some good news in all the misery. But we are prepared for everything and will keep an eye on the situation. We won’t abandon St Maarten.”
In a press conference Rutte is reported to have told reporters that there is “serious” problem with looting in the wake of the hurricane.
#BREAKING Looting situation 'serious' in hurricane-hit St Martin: Dutch PM
The Dutch broadcaster RTL Nieuws has published video purporting to show looting in the wake of the storm.
Video - plunderingen op Sint-Maarten na orkaan Irma. https://t.co/33ype6UZN2 pic.twitter.com/X0PXgMeZ7o
10.25am BST
10:25
Here’s the slightly adjusted track and timings of impact from the latest update. Miami still lies directly in its path.
Those in central Florida have been warned to expect category tow strength winds of up to 110mph at the weekend.
Tropical storm winds are likely to arrive in the FL Keys and south FL Saturday. Preparations should be rushed to completion. #Irma pic.twitter.com/eto2KVWtgP
9/8 5AM Tropical Update: #Irma is an extremely dangerous Category 4 Hurricane Hurricane Warning in effect for all of South Florida! #FLwx pic.twitter.com/D7eEA3WZw8
10.18am BST
10:18
Irma downgraded to category 4 hurricane
Irma is still “extremely dangerous” but it has been downgraded from a category 5 to a category 4 hurricane with sustained windspeeds of 155mph.
Here’s are the main points from the latest National Hurricane Center update:
The Turks and Caicos and the Bahamas are warned of life-threatening winds and storm surges until Saturday. Hurricane conditions will also spread to parts of north Cuba.
Severe hurricane conditions will hit Florida on Saturday night.
A storm surge warning of “life threatening inundation” is place for the next 36 hours in Florida.
The US states of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina have been warned of “life-threatening flash floods and mudslides” from next Tuesday.
Here are the 5 AM EDT Key Messages for #Irma https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb pic.twitter.com/pGNthaZ4hr
10.05am BST10.05am BST
10:0510:05
Hurricane Jose and Katia gain strengthHurricane Jose and Katia gain strength
While Irma has lost a little strength, two other Hurricanes in the region Katia and Jose have gained strength, according to the latest warnings from the National Hurricane Center.While Irma has lost a little strength, two other Hurricanes in the region Katia and Jose have gained strength, according to the latest warnings from the National Hurricane Center.
Irma is still packing devastating sustained wind speeds of 155 mph (down from 185mph).Irma is still packing devastating sustained wind speeds of 155 mph (down from 185mph).
Close behind it is Hurricane Jose which has slightly increased power and now has sustained speeds of 125mph. At the weekend it is forecast to batter the same Leeward Islands that were hit by Hurricane Irma earlier this week.Close behind it is Hurricane Jose which has slightly increased power and now has sustained speeds of 125mph. At the weekend it is forecast to batter the same Leeward Islands that were hit by Hurricane Irma earlier this week.
Hurricane #Jose Advisory 12: Jose a Little Stronger. https://t.co/VqHn0uj6EMHurricane #Jose Advisory 12: Jose a Little Stronger. https://t.co/VqHn0uj6EM
To the south-west in the Gulf of Mexico is Hurricane Katia which has increase sustained wind speeds to 90mp.To the south-west in the Gulf of Mexico is Hurricane Katia which has increase sustained wind speeds to 90mp.
Hurricane #Katia Advisory 11: Katia a Little Stronger. https://t.co/VqHn0uj6EMHurricane #Katia Advisory 11: Katia a Little Stronger. https://t.co/VqHn0uj6EM
9.42am BST9.42am BST
09:4209:42
Fears for those who ignored evacuation orders in the BahamasFears for those who ignored evacuation orders in the Bahamas
Captain Stephen Russell, of the Bahamas national emergency management agency, has expressed fears for hundreds of people who ignored evacuation orders on islands in the archipelago.Captain Stephen Russell, of the Bahamas national emergency management agency, has expressed fears for hundreds of people who ignored evacuation orders on islands in the archipelago.
Speaking to the BBC Radio 4’s Today programme he said there were five islands that are likely to be worst hit by Irma: Great Inagua ( population 913); Mayaguana (277) Acklins (population 428); Crooked Islands (population 350); and Ragged Island (population 72).Speaking to the BBC Radio 4’s Today programme he said there were five islands that are likely to be worst hit by Irma: Great Inagua ( population 913); Mayaguana (277) Acklins (population 428); Crooked Islands (population 350); and Ragged Island (population 72).
Irma was recorded barrelling over these islands within the last 90 minutes.Irma was recorded barrelling over these islands within the last 90 minutes.
The eye of Hurricane #Irma passes over Little Inagua Island in The Bahamas with winds near 160 mph pic.twitter.com/mKlhvRKnjXThe eye of Hurricane #Irma passes over Little Inagua Island in The Bahamas with winds near 160 mph pic.twitter.com/mKlhvRKnjX
All of the people on those islands were urged to leave as have the 600 people on the islands of Bimini, 50 miles to the east of the coast of Florida.All of the people on those islands were urged to leave as have the 600 people on the islands of Bimini, 50 miles to the east of the coast of Florida.
Up to two-thirds of the people on those islands, have been flown to the capital Nassau, Russell said, including 400 people from the Bimini islands on Thursday.Up to two-thirds of the people on those islands, have been flown to the capital Nassau, Russell said, including 400 people from the Bimini islands on Thursday.
He said: “I fear for those person who chose not to evacuate from the islands. The government has made a very strong appeal to them. But some are simply stubborn. There is very little we can do to assistant until Monday or Tuesday. That is fear, that when we go into those areas we are going to find persons in serious distress and even fatalities.”He said: “I fear for those person who chose not to evacuate from the islands. The government has made a very strong appeal to them. But some are simply stubborn. There is very little we can do to assistant until Monday or Tuesday. That is fear, that when we go into those areas we are going to find persons in serious distress and even fatalities.”
He added: “Those who have stayed include troops, police officers and persons who just made up their mind that they are not going to leave their island. That is their choice. The government of the Bahamas made a strong appeal for all of them to leave the island but they made up their minds that they are going to ride out the storm in the islands.”He added: “Those who have stayed include troops, police officers and persons who just made up their mind that they are not going to leave their island. That is their choice. The government of the Bahamas made a strong appeal for all of them to leave the island but they made up their minds that they are going to ride out the storm in the islands.”
UpdatedUpdated
at 9.43am BSTat 9.43am BST
8.52am BST8.52am BST
08:5208:52
Dutch troops have begun unloading aid on the Franco-Dutch island of St Martin.Dutch troops have begun unloading aid on the Franco-Dutch island of St Martin.
KDC-10 geland op Curaçao. Uitladen opgestart voor hulp aan Sint Maarten. pic.twitter.com/DNbuqzEtFaKDC-10 geland op Curaçao. Uitladen opgestart voor hulp aan Sint Maarten. pic.twitter.com/DNbuqzEtFa
Assisteren van lokale autoriteiten en hulp bieden. Dat is wat er nu plaats vindt. Meer hulp is onderweg. Gevolgen catastrofaal. #Irma #SXM pic.twitter.com/1XX7CG579aAssisteren van lokale autoriteiten en hulp bieden. Dat is wat er nu plaats vindt. Meer hulp is onderweg. Gevolgen catastrofaal. #Irma #SXM pic.twitter.com/1XX7CG579a
The French government has sent two ships to the area.The French government has sent two ships to the area.
#Irma : 2 frégates de la @MarineNationale le Ventôse et le Germinal, vont porter assistance aux îles sinistrées https://t.co/lQYnn7NU4K pic.twitter.com/qudx3tHWjs#Irma : 2 frégates de la @MarineNationale le Ventôse et le Germinal, vont porter assistance aux îles sinistrées https://t.co/lQYnn7NU4K pic.twitter.com/qudx3tHWjs
The UK government has deployed RFA Mounts Bay to the area. HMS Ocean is also on the way, but will not reach the Caribbean for at least 10 days.The UK government has deployed RFA Mounts Bay to the area. HMS Ocean is also on the way, but will not reach the Caribbean for at least 10 days.
The RFA Mount's Bay, carrying 40 Royal Marines and Army Engineers, is helping provide water, sanitation and temporary shelter #Irma #UKaid pic.twitter.com/wQCGoJD46HThe RFA Mount's Bay, carrying 40 Royal Marines and Army Engineers, is helping provide water, sanitation and temporary shelter #Irma #UKaid pic.twitter.com/wQCGoJD46H
8.30am BST8.30am BST
08:3008:30
A former official on the British dependency of Anguilla has an update on the carnage on the island left by Irma.A former official on the British dependency of Anguilla has an update on the carnage on the island left by Irma.
The official, who does not want to be named, said the island high school has been destroyed; the public works building has collapsed and part of the roof of the main hospital is missing.The official, who does not want to be named, said the island high school has been destroyed; the public works building has collapsed and part of the roof of the main hospital is missing.
“It is fair to call the situation devastating,” he said, “most roads remain blocked and power lines are down.”“It is fair to call the situation devastating,” he said, “most roads remain blocked and power lines are down.”
He added that power lines are down everywhere and that mobile phone connections are patchy at best.He added that power lines are down everywhere and that mobile phone connections are patchy at best.
The UK government plans to deploy troops to the island after conceded that the situation there was worse than feared.The UK government plans to deploy troops to the island after conceded that the situation there was worse than feared.
Patrick Lynch of Roy’s Bayside Grill forwarded images of some of the damage to Anguilla.Patrick Lynch of Roy’s Bayside Grill forwarded images of some of the damage to Anguilla.
7.50am BST7.50am BST
07:5007:50
Matthew WeaverMatthew Weaver
One of the humanitarian experts sent by the British government to the Caribbean has admitted that the UK has not done as much for its territories in the the region as the Dutch and French government have for theirs.One of the humanitarian experts sent by the British government to the Caribbean has admitted that the UK has not done as much for its territories in the the region as the Dutch and French government have for theirs.
Fergus Thomas is a member of two small humanitarian teams deployed to the Caribbean in the wake of Irma.Fergus Thomas is a member of two small humanitarian teams deployed to the Caribbean in the wake of Irma.
DFID humanitarian expert Fergus is now on the ground in Barbados, to help coordinate the response to #HurricaneIrma #UKaid pic.twitter.com/7E13bMJnevDFID humanitarian expert Fergus is now on the ground in Barbados, to help coordinate the response to #HurricaneIrma #UKaid pic.twitter.com/7E13bMJnev
He was asked on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme about criticism from Anguilla, one of the islands worst hit, that Britain had failed to follow the example of the Netherlands and France in preparing its dependencies for the impact of the hurricane.He was asked on BBC Radio 4’s Today programme about criticism from Anguilla, one of the islands worst hit, that Britain had failed to follow the example of the Netherlands and France in preparing its dependencies for the impact of the hurricane.
Thomas replied: “That’s a very fair comment. There is quite some justification in that, however we have had a navy vessel that has been sheltering just south of Puerto Rico and has now deployed, so within 24 hours we have managed to move some of our military assets to support the survivors and today they were in Anguilla.”Thomas replied: “That’s a very fair comment. There is quite some justification in that, however we have had a navy vessel that has been sheltering just south of Puerto Rico and has now deployed, so within 24 hours we have managed to move some of our military assets to support the survivors and today they were in Anguilla.”
He admitted UK humanitarian teams had yet to reach the worst hit areas. He said: “We haven’t got onto the ground on the islands that have been worst hit. Some of our military colleagues have got out today and started doing the first assistance.”He admitted UK humanitarian teams had yet to reach the worst hit areas. He said: “We haven’t got onto the ground on the islands that have been worst hit. Some of our military colleagues have got out today and started doing the first assistance.”
But he said it was unfair to criticise the UK military for its response.But he said it was unfair to criticise the UK military for its response.
“They moved us as soon as soon as they could to the islands that have been worst hit. I would question the criticism that they [the British military] haven’t been timely. They are the first responders in Anguilla. They are moving now to the British Virgin Islands, which as far as we now have been majorly catastrophically hit.”“They moved us as soon as soon as they could to the islands that have been worst hit. I would question the criticism that they [the British military] haven’t been timely. They are the first responders in Anguilla. They are moving now to the British Virgin Islands, which as far as we now have been majorly catastrophically hit.”
On Thursday foreign office minister Alan Duncan defended the UK government’s response by pointed out that the UK does not directly govern its islands in the Caribbean. He told the Commons: “The relationship between overseas territories and their parent countries differs. Whilst French territories are directly governed, that is not the case with our overseas territories. While this means our responses will, of course, be different, we will seek to achieve the same objectives and are taking immediate steps to do so.”On Thursday foreign office minister Alan Duncan defended the UK government’s response by pointed out that the UK does not directly govern its islands in the Caribbean. He told the Commons: “The relationship between overseas territories and their parent countries differs. Whilst French territories are directly governed, that is not the case with our overseas territories. While this means our responses will, of course, be different, we will seek to achieve the same objectives and are taking immediate steps to do so.”
7.37am BST7.37am BST
07:3707:37
What we know so farWhat we know so far
Claire PhippsClaire Phipps
Hurricane Irma remains a category 5 hurricane, with slightly decreased wind speeds of 160mph (260kph), currently swiping Great Inagua island at the southernmost tip of the Bahamas.Hurricane Irma remains a category 5 hurricane, with slightly decreased wind speeds of 160mph (260kph), currently swiping Great Inagua island at the southernmost tip of the Bahamas.
Captain Stephen Russell, of the Bahamas national emergency management agency, said rising tide levels could be life-threatening:Captain Stephen Russell, of the Bahamas national emergency management agency, said rising tide levels could be life-threatening:
The destructive force of a 25ft surge: that is our greatest concern. It can really cause catastrophic resultsThe destructive force of a 25ft surge: that is our greatest concern. It can really cause catastrophic results
From there, Irma is set to scrape the north of Cuba before heading to southern Florida and the Florida Keys, where a full-scale hurricane warning is in place and mass evacuations have been ordered before expected landfall on Saturday.From there, Irma is set to scrape the north of Cuba before heading to southern Florida and the Florida Keys, where a full-scale hurricane warning is in place and mass evacuations have been ordered before expected landfall on Saturday.
Cuba is evacuating tourists from coastal resorts and warning residents to move inland.Cuba is evacuating tourists from coastal resorts and warning residents to move inland.
On Thursday night Irma crossed north of Haiti, causing less damage than had been feared in the beleaguered country. There were reports of some injuries and damage to buildings, but not widespread devastation.On Thursday night Irma crossed north of Haiti, causing less damage than had been feared in the beleaguered country. There were reports of some injuries and damage to buildings, but not widespread devastation.
The hurricane also pummelled the Turks and Caicos Islands, where power failed and the governor, John Freeman, warned residents:The hurricane also pummelled the Turks and Caicos Islands, where power failed and the governor, John Freeman, warned residents:
Hunker down, stay where you are … Nobody can get to you – people are, for a little while, on their own.Hunker down, stay where you are … Nobody can get to you – people are, for a little while, on their own.
Across the Caribbean, at least 13 people are confirmed to have died in the storm: an infant on Barbuda, one person in Anguilla, three people in Puerto Rico, four in the US Virgin Islands, and four in the French territory of St Martin.Across the Caribbean, at least 13 people are confirmed to have died in the storm: an infant on Barbuda, one person in Anguilla, three people in Puerto Rico, four in the US Virgin Islands, and four in the French territory of St Martin.
Lonnie Soury, a spokesman for the US Virgin Islands, said the toll was expected to rise.Lonnie Soury, a spokesman for the US Virgin Islands, said the toll was expected to rise.
The UK, France and the Netherlands have mobilised personnel and aid for their overseas territories that were caught in the onslaught.The UK, France and the Netherlands have mobilised personnel and aid for their overseas territories that were caught in the onslaught.
After complaints that the British government’s response has been slow, ministers authorised £32m in emergency aid and dispatched a military task group. HMS Ocean – currently in the Mediterranean – will be deployed but will take 10-14 days to reach the Caribbean.After complaints that the British government’s response has been slow, ministers authorised £32m in emergency aid and dispatched a military task group. HMS Ocean – currently in the Mediterranean – will be deployed but will take 10-14 days to reach the Caribbean.
A voluntary evacuation began from the tiny island of Barbuda – where upwards of 90% of homes were destroyed – to its larger sister island of Antigua, with the prospect of Hurricane Jose, a category 3 storm, striking this weekend.A voluntary evacuation began from the tiny island of Barbuda – where upwards of 90% of homes were destroyed – to its larger sister island of Antigua, with the prospect of Hurricane Jose, a category 3 storm, striking this weekend.
7.18am BST7.18am BST
07:1807:18
From its current havoc in the Bahamas, Hurricane Irma is set to move across northern Cuba before hitting southern Florida and making its way up the state.From its current havoc in the Bahamas, Hurricane Irma is set to move across northern Cuba before hitting southern Florida and making its way up the state.
Governor Rick Scott has warned that the storm will be “bigger than our entire state” – as forecast images confirm:Governor Rick Scott has warned that the storm will be “bigger than our entire state” – as forecast images confirm:
Not a pretty picture for South Florida according to HWRF showing an intense #Irma. This is for early Sunday morning. #HurricaneIrma pic.twitter.com/tgiAWIe5o0Not a pretty picture for South Florida according to HWRF showing an intense #Irma. This is for early Sunday morning. #HurricaneIrma pic.twitter.com/tgiAWIe5o0
7.13am BST7.13am BST
07:1307:13
Irma has now whipped a path from Barbuda in the east to, currently, the Bahamas, with the north of Cuba and then Florida still in its sights.Irma has now whipped a path from Barbuda in the east to, currently, the Bahamas, with the north of Cuba and then Florida still in its sights.
We have been monitoring the effects of the category 5 storm on each island, as reports come in of casualties and damage:We have been monitoring the effects of the category 5 storm on each island, as reports come in of casualties and damage:
7.02am BST
07:02
Helena Smith
On an official visit to Greece, the French president, Emmanuel Macron, was repeatedly forced to defend his decision to defer a trip to St Martin and other islands devastated by the storm.
Addressing reporters in Athens where he was conducting his first overseas visit, the French leader said he had decided to go ahead with the two-day trip to Greece, rather than attempt to head to the Caribbean, because prevailing weather conditions would not have permitted him to fly to French territories hit by Hurricane Irma.
“As soon as the weather allows I will go,” he said, adding that he was being constantly updated and the French prime minister, Édouard Philippe, was following developments closely.
Macron said he had left for Greece after an emergency government meeting in Paris.
6.53am BST
06:53
Latest hurricane warnings
The latest advisory from the US National Hurricane Center confirms Irma is passing north of the Bahamas’ Great Inagua island, with wind speeds now of 160mph (260kph) – down from its 185mph peak but still a category five hurricane.
Hurricane warnings remain in effect for:
South-eastern Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands
Central and north-western Bahamas
Haiti from the northern border with the Dominican Republic to Le Mole St Nicholas
Cuban provinces of Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Sancti Spiritus, and Villa Clara
Jupiter Inlet southward around the Florida peninsula to Bonita Beach
Florida Keys
Lake Okeechobee
Florida Bay
Updated
at 6.56am BST
6.45am BST
06:45
Irma is now into the Bahamas archipelago, passing just north of Great Inagua island at the southernmost tip.
6.41am BST
06:41
Meanwhile – in unconnected news – an earthquake of magnitude 8 has struck off the southern coast of Mexico, prompting a series of possible tsunami warnings. Read more here:
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 BST
05:48
Naaman 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
5.38am BST
05:38
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:
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.
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 BST
05:23
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.
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.
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 BST
05:09
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/YUF5URJw8H
Updated
at 5.10am BST