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Hurricane Irma: millions evacuate Florida as superstorm hits Cuba – latest updates Hurricane Irma: millions evacuate Florida as superstorm hits Cuba – latest updates
(35 minutes later)
5.17am BST
05:17
Palm Beach county curfew
Florida’s Palm Beach county has said it will impose a curfew from 3pm Saturday, ahead of the arrival of tropical storm-force winds.
Officials do not want people out in the streets – or risk them needing rescue or emergency services – as Irma approaches. Those who have not evacuated are urged to seek safe shelter.
4.57am BST
04:57
Timothy Harris, prime minister of St Kitts & Nevis, has warned that the approaching Hurricane Jose will affect the islands – but, as with Irma, they should escape its worst effects.
Senior meteorological officer Elmo Burke says outer rain bands from Jose will reach St Kitts & Nevis overnight and into Saturday, with its closest passing late afternoon on Saturday. Sunday, at least, will bring better weather conditions.
4.38am BST4.38am BST
04:3804:38
Florida governor Rick Scott has issued another plea for residents in evacuation zones – which cover 5.6 million people – to leave.Florida governor Rick Scott has issued another plea for residents in evacuation zones – which cover 5.6 million people – to leave.
Scott says evacuation orders are also being issued further up the west coast of the state, given forecasts predicting that Irma could now track west.Scott says evacuation orders are also being issued further up the west coast of the state, given forecasts predicting that Irma could now track west.
And he warns that Floridians must beAnd he warns that Floridians must be
prepared to locate to the closest available shelter within their counties if they do not evacuate by noon tomorrow [Saturday].prepared to locate to the closest available shelter within their counties if they do not evacuate by noon tomorrow [Saturday].
There are currently no shelters on the vulnerable Florida Keys, whose residents have been told to go.There are currently no shelters on the vulnerable Florida Keys, whose residents have been told to go.
But officials said on Friday they would open four “shelters of last resort” on Saturday at 7pm for those who had not evacuated.But officials said on Friday they would open four “shelters of last resort” on Saturday at 7pm for those who had not evacuated.
No services will be available at those shelters, as most officials will have left the Keys.No services will be available at those shelters, as most officials will have left the Keys.
4.29am BST4.29am BST
04:2904:29
Hurricane Katia makes landfall in MexicoHurricane Katia makes landfall in Mexico
With Irma returning to category five, and Jose close to it, a third hurricane has just made landfall – though with thankfully lesser intensity.With Irma returning to category five, and Jose close to it, a third hurricane has just made landfall – though with thankfully lesser intensity.
Hurricane Katia, which is category one, has just made landfall in Mexico, north of Tecolutla, with wind speeds of 75mph (120kph).Hurricane Katia, which is category one, has just made landfall in Mexico, north of Tecolutla, with wind speeds of 75mph (120kph).
The US National Hurricane Center reassures that:The US National Hurricane Center reassures that:
Rapid weakening is forecast during the next 24 hours.Rapid weakening is forecast during the next 24 hours.
4.17am BST4.17am BST
04:1704:17
Here is Irma making landfall in Cuba, where the hurricane has hit the Camaguey archipelago, just off the northern coast.Here is Irma making landfall in Cuba, where the hurricane has hit the Camaguey archipelago, just off the northern coast.
#Irma has officially made landfall in Cuba as a Cat. 5 - the 1st Cat. 5 hurricane to make landfall in Cuba since 1924. pic.twitter.com/ue9wTMZta7#Irma has officially made landfall in Cuba as a Cat. 5 - the 1st Cat. 5 hurricane to make landfall in Cuba since 1924. pic.twitter.com/ue9wTMZta7
4.06am BST4.06am BST
04:0604:06
Irma forecast to hit Florida on SundayIrma forecast to hit Florida on Sunday
The NHC forecast says Irma is now predicted to move to the Florida Keys on Sunday morning local time, then to the south-west coast of Florida by Sunday afternoon.The NHC forecast says Irma is now predicted to move to the Florida Keys on Sunday morning local time, then to the south-west coast of Florida by Sunday afternoon.
4.05am BST4.05am BST
04:0504:05
The latest NHC update has upgraded Irma back to category five. Here are the key points:The latest NHC update has upgraded Irma back to category five. Here are the key points:
Irma is “making landfall on the Camaguey archipelago of Cuba as a category five hurricane”.Irma is “making landfall on the Camaguey archipelago of Cuba as a category five hurricane”.
Hurricane warnings have been extended in Florida northward on the east coast of Florida to the Volusia/Brevard county line, and on the west coast of Florida to Anclote River.Hurricane warnings have been extended in Florida northward on the east coast of Florida to the Volusia/Brevard county line, and on the west coast of Florida to Anclote River.
Irma currently has wind speeds of 160mph (260kph).Irma currently has wind speeds of 160mph (260kph).
Storm surge warnings have been extended northward on the east coast of Florida to the Volusia/Brevard county line, and on the west coast of Florida to Anclote River, including Tampa Bay.Storm surge warnings have been extended northward on the east coast of Florida to the Volusia/Brevard county line, and on the west coast of Florida to Anclote River, including Tampa Bay.
4.00am BST4.00am BST
04:0004:00
Hurricane Irma back up to category fiveHurricane Irma back up to category five
The US National Hurricane Center confirms that Irma, which dipped slightly to category four, has returned to category five intensity.The US National Hurricane Center confirms that Irma, which dipped slightly to category four, has returned to category five intensity.
Irma has made landfall in Cuba.Irma has made landfall in Cuba.
3.53am BST3.53am BST
03:5303:53
With Hurricane Jose hot on the heels of Irma – which left 90% of the island of Barbuda devastated – almost all of its population of around 1,400 people has been evacuated to the larger sister island of Antigua.With Hurricane Jose hot on the heels of Irma – which left 90% of the island of Barbuda devastated – almost all of its population of around 1,400 people has been evacuated to the larger sister island of Antigua.
Except for a few persons who resisted the call to evacuate and the security forces the EVACUATION OF BARBUDA IS COMPLETE.. pic.twitter.com/bk5ZWdi8kyExcept for a few persons who resisted the call to evacuate and the security forces the EVACUATION OF BARBUDA IS COMPLETE.. pic.twitter.com/bk5ZWdi8ky
3.47am BST3.47am BST
03:4703:47
Jose 'almost a category 5 hurricane'Jose 'almost a category 5 hurricane'
The latest update from the US National Hurricane Center, which is monitoring Hurricane Jose, due to hit the already stricken islands of Barbuda and Anguilla on Saturday, says it is close to becoming a category 5 storm.The latest update from the US National Hurricane Center, which is monitoring Hurricane Jose, due to hit the already stricken islands of Barbuda and Anguilla on Saturday, says it is close to becoming a category 5 storm.
Jose is currently 265 miles (430km) from the Leeward Islands, with wind speeds of 155mph (250kph).Jose is currently 265 miles (430km) from the Leeward Islands, with wind speeds of 155mph (250kph).
3.39am BST3.39am BST
03:3903:39
Where are the 5.6 million people told to evacuate their Florida homes and hotels going? Associated Press has talked to some of them:Where are the 5.6 million people told to evacuate their Florida homes and hotels going? Associated Press has talked to some of them:
Floridians fleeing Hurricane Irma have turned freeways across the south-east US into red ribbons of brake lights as they head to Atlanta, Montgomery or Nashville to bunk with relatives, stay at campgrounds or grab hotels before the massive storm makes landfall.Floridians fleeing Hurricane Irma have turned freeways across the south-east US into red ribbons of brake lights as they head to Atlanta, Montgomery or Nashville to bunk with relatives, stay at campgrounds or grab hotels before the massive storm makes landfall.
Because Interstate 75 north leads straight to Atlanta, thousands of the evacuees have funneled into the city. Others trekked on to Tennessee.Because Interstate 75 north leads straight to Atlanta, thousands of the evacuees have funneled into the city. Others trekked on to Tennessee.
“We just packed the car up again … and we’re going to Memphis,” Suzanne Pallot of Miami said. Pallot traveled 21 hours from Miami to Atlanta, arriving Thursday in a Mazda SUV packed with four other people, their luggage and two cats.“We just packed the car up again … and we’re going to Memphis,” Suzanne Pallot of Miami said. Pallot traveled 21 hours from Miami to Atlanta, arriving Thursday in a Mazda SUV packed with four other people, their luggage and two cats.
In Florida, they found lines for gas 100 to 150 cars long. Pallot and her companions started looking for an available hotel room in Ocala, Florida, and went nearly 200 miles into Georgia. “There was absolutely nothing.”In Florida, they found lines for gas 100 to 150 cars long. Pallot and her companions started looking for an available hotel room in Ocala, Florida, and went nearly 200 miles into Georgia. “There was absolutely nothing.”
Monica Scandlen took a flight from Orlando into Nashville with her nine-year-old daughter.Monica Scandlen took a flight from Orlando into Nashville with her nine-year-old daughter.
“You could tell they weren’t Disney families, because we all looked sort of last minute and a little worried,” said Scandlen, who is staying with friends in Franklin, Tennessee. “There were a lot more pets than I’m used to seeing.”“You could tell they weren’t Disney families, because we all looked sort of last minute and a little worried,” said Scandlen, who is staying with friends in Franklin, Tennessee. “There were a lot more pets than I’m used to seeing.”
Evacuees were being welcomed at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway, which all opened vast campgrounds to Irma refugees.Evacuees were being welcomed at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Bristol Motor Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway, which all opened vast campgrounds to Irma refugees.
John Glowacki of Bonita Springs said he drove north on I-75 “sometimes at 5mph, sometimes at 55, but it took us two days to get here. All the campgrounds from the Florida border to north of Atlanta are all filled, but we heard that we might be able to come to the Atlanta speedway.”John Glowacki of Bonita Springs said he drove north on I-75 “sometimes at 5mph, sometimes at 55, but it took us two days to get here. All the campgrounds from the Florida border to north of Atlanta are all filled, but we heard that we might be able to come to the Atlanta speedway.”
Further north, in Knoxville, Tennessee, tourism officials welcomed evacuee. Some hotels were offering cheaper rates for guests fleeing the storm.Further north, in Knoxville, Tennessee, tourism officials welcomed evacuee. Some hotels were offering cheaper rates for guests fleeing the storm.
Some people offered to open their homes to evacuees. Brittany Baugh, an Orlando native living in Nashville, set up a “Florida to Nashville Hurricane Evacuees” group on Facebook for people to offer and find places to stay. More than 500 people have joined.Some people offered to open their homes to evacuees. Brittany Baugh, an Orlando native living in Nashville, set up a “Florida to Nashville Hurricane Evacuees” group on Facebook for people to offer and find places to stay. More than 500 people have joined.
Georgia officials hope to have more than 50 shelters with 7,000 beds available by Saturday, said Homer Bryson, director of the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency.Georgia officials hope to have more than 50 shelters with 7,000 beds available by Saturday, said Homer Bryson, director of the Georgia Emergency Management and Homeland Security Agency.
Even more drivers will be headed to central Georgia on Saturday, when state officials turn all lanes of Interstate 16 into a westbound evacuation route for residents along Georgia’s coast.Even more drivers will be headed to central Georgia on Saturday, when state officials turn all lanes of Interstate 16 into a westbound evacuation route for residents along Georgia’s coast.
3.25am BST3.25am BST
03:2503:25
Power is out in Caibarién and other areas along the northern coast of CubaPower is out in Caibarién and other areas along the northern coast of Cuba
Heavy winds and rains are due to continue there throughout Friday night – it’s currently around 10.30pm local time – and into Saturday.Heavy winds and rains are due to continue there throughout Friday night – it’s currently around 10.30pm local time – and into Saturday.
3.21am BST3.21am BST
03:2103:21
Satellite images of Barbuda, the island first hit by Irma’s full force, appear to show it stripped of vegetation. The image on the right is before the storm; the second, after:Satellite images of Barbuda, the island first hit by Irma’s full force, appear to show it stripped of vegetation. The image on the right is before the storm; the second, after:
Le ciel clair sur #Barbuda cet après-midi permet de constater l'ampleur du désastre même depuis le satellite MODIS/Aqua. #Irma pic.twitter.com/vucEdWkrj1Le ciel clair sur #Barbuda cet après-midi permet de constater l'ampleur du désastre même depuis le satellite MODIS/Aqua. #Irma pic.twitter.com/vucEdWkrj1
3.13am BST3.13am BST
03:1303:13
Fema chief Brock Long says he thinks the authorities are prepared for the recovery efforts that will need to swing into place behind Irma. But, he told CNN, those efforts will need to be on a huge scale:Fema chief Brock Long says he thinks the authorities are prepared for the recovery efforts that will need to swing into place behind Irma. But, he told CNN, those efforts will need to be on a huge scale:
The forecast models are in great agreement: Florida’s going to get hit.The forecast models are in great agreement: Florida’s going to get hit.
Particularly what stands out is that the forward speed of this storm is starting to slow down, which indicates it’s about to make its turn to the north.Particularly what stands out is that the forward speed of this storm is starting to slow down, which indicates it’s about to make its turn to the north.
Any slight fluctuations, 20 or 30 miles, to the east or west of that track, could have big implications for either Miami or the west coast of Florida.Any slight fluctuations, 20 or 30 miles, to the east or west of that track, could have big implications for either Miami or the west coast of Florida.
The first impact is obviously going to be storm surges, which is the prime reason why we asked people to evacuate.The first impact is obviously going to be storm surges, which is the prime reason why we asked people to evacuate.
Long says there are three days’ worth of commodities – food, water, hygiene kits, for example – in Florida, with further supplies being held outside the state. But he warned:Long says there are three days’ worth of commodities – food, water, hygiene kits, for example – in Florida, with further supplies being held outside the state. But he warned:
Citizens of south Florida need to set their expectations that the power could be off for multiple days, if not weeks, in some areas.Citizens of south Florida need to set their expectations that the power could be off for multiple days, if not weeks, in some areas.
2.43am BST2.43am BST
02:4302:43
Fema (the US Federal Emergency Management Agency) has set up a web page to dispel myths and rumours surrounding Hurricane Irma and the Florida evacuations. You can find it here.Fema (the US Federal Emergency Management Agency) has set up a web page to dispel myths and rumours surrounding Hurricane Irma and the Florida evacuations. You can find it here.
It covers rumours including the high demand for fuel (true) and that hotels must take in pets who arrive with their evacuated owners (false) – although emergency shelters will take pets.It covers rumours including the high demand for fuel (true) and that hotels must take in pets who arrive with their evacuated owners (false) – although emergency shelters will take pets.
2.29am BST2.29am BST
02:2902:29
Florida has two nuclear power plants directly in Irma’s projected path.Florida has two nuclear power plants directly in Irma’s projected path.
The St Lucie plant is on the east coast, on a barrier island, while Turkey Point is 25 miles south of Miami.The St Lucie plant is on the east coast, on a barrier island, while Turkey Point is 25 miles south of Miami.
Florida Power and Light, which operates both plants, says the sites are prepared.Florida Power and Light, which operates both plants, says the sites are prepared.
Company president Eric Silagy said St Lucie and Turkey Point will be shut down 24 hours before the arrival of hurricane-force winds, adding that officials “will not take any chances, and those plants will be secure”.Company president Eric Silagy said St Lucie and Turkey Point will be shut down 24 hours before the arrival of hurricane-force winds, adding that officials “will not take any chances, and those plants will be secure”.
Silagy says the two plants are among the strongest structures in the world, Associated Press reports, encased in a 6-foot-thick (1.8m) cement structure reinforced by steel.Silagy says the two plants are among the strongest structures in the world, Associated Press reports, encased in a 6-foot-thick (1.8m) cement structure reinforced by steel.
The plants also have multiple safety systems and are elevated about 20ft (6.1m) above sea level to protect against flooding and storm surges.The plants also have multiple safety systems and are elevated about 20ft (6.1m) above sea level to protect against flooding and storm surges.
Turkey Point took a direct hit from Hurricane Andrew in 1992.Turkey Point took a direct hit from Hurricane Andrew in 1992.