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Hurricane Irma: Miami braces as superstorm winds hit Florida coast – latest updates Hurricane Irma: Miami braces as superstorm winds hit Florida coast – latest updates
(35 minutes later)
5.00pm BST
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Florida officials have asked another 700,000 to leave ahead of Hurricane Irma, the AP reports, meaning that nearly seven million Americans across several states have been ordered to evacuate.
The extraordinary evacuation is the largest in many counties’ histories, and involves a mass exodus from on of the nation’s most populous states. Miami enacted a curfew from 6pm to 9am; Broward county from 4pm until Saturday morning.
Here is the latest forecast track on #Irma pic.twitter.com/UAlb3rjFSu
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The National Weather Service is now predicting 10-20in of rain, with 20-25in in the Florida Keys and other particularly vulnerable regions.
The storm will bring “life-threatening winds” all around Florida, the agency says, “regardless of the exact track of the center”. The wind hazards will reach as far north as Georgia and South Carolina over the next day. In the southernmost points of the state, stations are bracing for the worst case scenarios.
*ALERT: There is imminent danger of life-threatening, CATASTROPHIC storm surge for SW #Florida. If ordered to evacuate, do so immediately!
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Hurricane Irma has lost some of its force as its winds break across Cuba’s northern coast, but the island is bearing the brunt of that. Towns there have been hit by gigantic storm surges.Hurricane Irma has lost some of its force as its winds break across Cuba’s northern coast, but the island is bearing the brunt of that. Towns there have been hit by gigantic storm surges.
The National Weather Service predicts that south-west Florida’s coastline will see similar surges, possibly with flooding as high as 10-15ft.The National Weather Service predicts that south-west Florida’s coastline will see similar surges, possibly with flooding as high as 10-15ft.
Irma has submerged the town of Caibarien, Cuba under several feet of water. pic.twitter.com/qz4QwNdYakIrma has submerged the town of Caibarien, Cuba under several feet of water. pic.twitter.com/qz4QwNdYak
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More than 50,000 people have gone to about 300 shelters around Florida, state emergency management officials have said, from about 5.6 million people told to leave their homes in coastal stretches.More than 50,000 people have gone to about 300 shelters around Florida, state emergency management officials have said, from about 5.6 million people told to leave their homes in coastal stretches.
The AP reports that the Florida Keys evacuated about 460 inmates and 125 corrections officers from a jail on Stock Island, toward the bottom of the archipelago that lies in Irma’s path.The AP reports that the Florida Keys evacuated about 460 inmates and 125 corrections officers from a jail on Stock Island, toward the bottom of the archipelago that lies in Irma’s path.
And although the storm remains about 175 miles away from the mainland, about 30,000 people in south Florida have already lost power.And although the storm remains about 175 miles away from the mainland, about 30,000 people in south Florida have already lost power.
MORE: #Irma 175 miles SE of Key West, FL, moving west at 9 mph; expected head up western coast of Florida. https://t.co/phlp5E0BAL pic.twitter.com/b6XtIF92YIMORE: #Irma 175 miles SE of Key West, FL, moving west at 9 mph; expected head up western coast of Florida. https://t.co/phlp5E0BAL pic.twitter.com/b6XtIF92YI
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Irma becomes category three stormIrma becomes category three storm
The National Weather Service has downgraded hurricane Irma to a cateogry three storm, with maximum sustained winds of 125mph as it hammers into Cuba’s northern coastline.The National Weather Service has downgraded hurricane Irma to a cateogry three storm, with maximum sustained winds of 125mph as it hammers into Cuba’s northern coastline.
But the storm is expected to regain power as a category four as it moves away from the island and into the warm waters near south Florida and the Keys.But the storm is expected to regain power as a category four as it moves away from the island and into the warm waters near south Florida and the Keys.
Hurricane #Irma's sustained winds are now down to 125 MPH. Strengthening expected. #Jose's winds are at 145 MPH. 12-hour #GOES16 IR loop. pic.twitter.com/HrwZs3ZlNIHurricane #Irma's sustained winds are now down to 125 MPH. Strengthening expected. #Jose's winds are at 145 MPH. 12-hour #GOES16 IR loop. pic.twitter.com/HrwZs3ZlNI
Local NBC reporter Amanda Plasencia is in Homestead, in Miami-Dade county just north of the Florida Keys, where the rains have already become a torrent.Local NBC reporter Amanda Plasencia is in Homestead, in Miami-Dade county just north of the Florida Keys, where the rains have already become a torrent.
Wind and rain picking up a bit along US1 and SW 328th in #Homestead @nbc6 pic.twitter.com/PPd9NYWzCTWind and rain picking up a bit along US1 and SW 328th in #Homestead @nbc6 pic.twitter.com/PPd9NYWzCT
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South of Naples, Florida, on the state’s Gulf coast, the Tampa Bay Times’s Zack Sampson tweets that the outer bands of rain have reached the beaches.South of Naples, Florida, on the state’s Gulf coast, the Tampa Bay Times’s Zack Sampson tweets that the outer bands of rain have reached the beaches.
And it just began to rain. A man is on his third floor balcony, smoking a cigar. #irma pic.twitter.com/wKufXxk9LTAnd it just began to rain. A man is on his third floor balcony, smoking a cigar. #irma pic.twitter.com/wKufXxk9LT
The storm’s outer bands of rain reached southern Miami earlier on Saturday morning. The National Weather Service there reports “gusty showers” of 45-55mph, with the possibility of funnel clouds.The storm’s outer bands of rain reached southern Miami earlier on Saturday morning. The National Weather Service there reports “gusty showers” of 45-55mph, with the possibility of funnel clouds.
Broward County, just north of Miami-Dade and south of Palm Beach counties, has just announced a 4pm curfew to get people inside. Authorities have repeatedly said they would not be able to help people once the storm begins.Broward County, just north of Miami-Dade and south of Palm Beach counties, has just announced a 4pm curfew to get people inside. Authorities have repeatedly said they would not be able to help people once the storm begins.
Already windy and pouring outside the Dadeland South Metrorail station in Miami. No businesses open and almost no one outside this morning. pic.twitter.com/cPI7siTgtXAlready windy and pouring outside the Dadeland South Metrorail station in Miami. No businesses open and almost no one outside this morning. pic.twitter.com/cPI7siTgtX
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at 3.58pm BSTat 3.58pm BST
3.25pm BST3.25pm BST
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Scott: evacuate south-west zones before noonScott: evacuate south-west zones before noon
Hurricane Irma is “going to go faster than you are”, Florida governor Rick Scott has warned residents, telling them that people in evacuation zones in the south-west should head to inland shelters immediately.Hurricane Irma is “going to go faster than you are”, Florida governor Rick Scott has warned residents, telling them that people in evacuation zones in the south-west should head to inland shelters immediately.
Storm surges in parts of Florida could be as extreme as 12ft, Scott warned: “This will cover your house.”Storm surges in parts of Florida could be as extreme as 12ft, Scott warned: “This will cover your house.”
Some 25,000 people have already lost electricity as Irma’s outer bands have begun to swipe across the Keys and southernmost stretches of the peninsula. Parts of south-eastern Florida will likely hear tornado warnings over the next 24 hours as the storm tacks toward the Gulf coast.Some 25,000 people have already lost electricity as Irma’s outer bands have begun to swipe across the Keys and southernmost stretches of the peninsula. Parts of south-eastern Florida will likely hear tornado warnings over the next 24 hours as the storm tacks toward the Gulf coast.
In Miami, the winds are already mounting.In Miami, the winds are already mounting.
Wind gusts picking up for South Florida. Nobody reporting hurricane gusts yet but that will change. @NBC6 #NBC6 pic.twitter.com/ijbHhMb9etWind gusts picking up for South Florida. Nobody reporting hurricane gusts yet but that will change. @NBC6 #NBC6 pic.twitter.com/ijbHhMb9et
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At one of the final updates before the storm strikes the US mainland, Rick Scott, the Florida governor, has urged residents to make their final moves to shelters or to protect their homes.At one of the final updates before the storm strikes the US mainland, Rick Scott, the Florida governor, has urged residents to make their final moves to shelters or to protect their homes.
“I urge everyone to talk to your neighbors, your family and friends,” Scott said. “Every Floridian should take this seriously and be aggressive to protect your family. … Your positions can be replaced, your life cannot be replaced, your family cannot be replaced.”“I urge everyone to talk to your neighbors, your family and friends,” Scott said. “Every Floridian should take this seriously and be aggressive to protect your family. … Your positions can be replaced, your life cannot be replaced, your family cannot be replaced.”
More than 260 shelters were open around the state, he added, and 70 more would open over the course of the day. “Everyone in Florida needs to find a safe place to go,” he said.More than 260 shelters were open around the state, he added, and 70 more would open over the course of the day. “Everyone in Florida needs to find a safe place to go,” he said.
Traffic was moving on evacuation routes, though there was still congestion in some areas, he said. “Evacuations are not meant to be convenient – they’re meant to be safe. If you don’t need to be on the road, don’t be on the road.” Residents can go to FL511.com for updates on traffic and evacuation routes.Traffic was moving on evacuation routes, though there was still congestion in some areas, he said. “Evacuations are not meant to be convenient – they’re meant to be safe. If you don’t need to be on the road, don’t be on the road.” Residents can go to FL511.com for updates on traffic and evacuation routes.
Scott urged people to act now, before the storm paralyzes authorities and civilians alike.“We can’t do it once the storm starts.” He said the state was working “aggressively to keep gas stations open and filled,” but that the state’s ports were already closed and supplies would be cut off within hours.Scott urged people to act now, before the storm paralyzes authorities and civilians alike.“We can’t do it once the storm starts.” He said the state was working “aggressively to keep gas stations open and filled,” but that the state’s ports were already closed and supplies would be cut off within hours.
Every available Florida guardsman has been deployed, he said, guiding people to shelters and preparing for the aftermath of the storm. “We are under a state of emergency. Healthcare staff, we need you to be there to help your community.”Every available Florida guardsman has been deployed, he said, guiding people to shelters and preparing for the aftermath of the storm. “We are under a state of emergency. Healthcare staff, we need you to be there to help your community.”
Finally, Scott made a plea for more volunteers. He said: “We need 1,000 volunteer nurses for special-needs shelters.” He said nurses could visit FLHealth.gov for more information about how to help.Finally, Scott made a plea for more volunteers. He said: “We need 1,000 volunteer nurses for special-needs shelters.” He said nurses could visit FLHealth.gov for more information about how to help.
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Mattha BusbyMattha Busby
As Irma continues apace throughout the Caribbean, women, children and the most vulnerable in Saint-Martin are the first to flee the island as hurricane Jose approaches.As Irma continues apace throughout the Caribbean, women, children and the most vulnerable in Saint-Martin are the first to flee the island as hurricane Jose approaches.
Jose has been classed as a category-4 storm, which makes it “extremely dangerous”.Jose has been classed as a category-4 storm, which makes it “extremely dangerous”.
Agence France-Presse has reported that the Grand-Case airport, on the French-run side, is the only way off the island and the departure hall now resembles a children’s ward in a hospital.Agence France-Presse has reported that the Grand-Case airport, on the French-run side, is the only way off the island and the departure hall now resembles a children’s ward in a hospital.
The tiny airport, with its single short runway, is grotesquely ill-equipped to evacuate the island’s 40,000-plus population. Therefore only the most vulnerable groups are allowed to enter the airport.The tiny airport, with its single short runway, is grotesquely ill-equipped to evacuate the island’s 40,000-plus population. Therefore only the most vulnerable groups are allowed to enter the airport.
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Mattha BusbyMattha Busby
The Florida attorney general has announced that there have been 8,000 complaints following reports that airlines applied surge pricing – or price gouging – after the hurricane precipitated extreme demand.The Florida attorney general has announced that there have been 8,000 complaints following reports that airlines applied surge pricing – or price gouging – after the hurricane precipitated extreme demand.
“This is the time to help our neighbors, not take advantage of them,” declared Governor Rick Scott yesterday.“This is the time to help our neighbors, not take advantage of them,” declared Governor Rick Scott yesterday.
Would-be fliers have complained that prices skyrocketed as the week went on. However, some airlines have since applied price caps.Would-be fliers have complained that prices skyrocketed as the week went on. However, some airlines have since applied price caps.
On CNN, experts are arguing whether price gouging is appropriate during emergencies in what is clearly an issue that exposes the faultlines between libertarians and social democrats.On CNN, experts are arguing whether price gouging is appropriate during emergencies in what is clearly an issue that exposes the faultlines between libertarians and social democrats.
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Florida governor urges people to leave or find shelter "right now"Florida governor urges people to leave or find shelter "right now"
Rick Scott, the governor of Florida, is speaking at a press conference now.Rick Scott, the governor of Florida, is speaking at a press conference now.
If you have been ordered to be evacuated, leave now. Not tonight, right now.If you have been ordered to be evacuated, leave now. Not tonight, right now.
Once the storm hits, remember law enforcement can’t safe you ...Once the storm hits, remember law enforcement can’t safe you ...
We will do everything we can, but we can’t do it once the storm starts.We will do everything we can, but we can’t do it once the storm starts.
He also urged people to “aggressively” protect their families.He also urged people to “aggressively” protect their families.
More to follow.More to follow.