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| Version 18 | Version 19 |
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| Hurricane Irma: Florida told to expect 15ft storm surges as storm closes in – latest updates | Hurricane Irma: Florida told to expect 15ft storm surges as storm closes in – latest updates |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 7.12pm BST | |
| 19:12 | |
| Richard Luscombe, reporting from Miami, where he’s met a couple whose future is tied up in a property directly in the path of hurricane Irma. | |
| In Worthing, West Sussex, more than 4,500 miles away from where Hurricane Irma is churning away, Florida villa owners Rob and Sue Carter nervously click on every internet update and social media post they can find about the monster storm’s projected path and intensity. | |
| Their three-bedroom house in Rotonda West, in southwest Florida, is the Carters’ retirement dream, rented out on Airbnb to help pay the bills until Sue retires from her work as an NHS nurse in a couple of years time and can spend more time there. | |
| The villa, however, is in the direct path of Irma’s predicted 140mph winds, and also in the middle of a newly declared evacuation zone, which means there aren’t even neighbours to keep the couple updated on the fate of their property. | |
| “It will be a few days at least until we know what’s happened,” Sue Carter said. “Hopefully the storm slows down or turns away, but we’re expecting anything from minor damage right up to where it’s no longer habitable and has to be rebuilt. It’s hard being so far away and not really knowing anything.” | |
| The Carters take some comfort from the fact their villa - close to the unspoiled beaches and wildlife havens of Venice and Englewood - was built in 2006, two years after Hurricane Charley wrecked large areas of southwest Florida and prompted a tightening in construction codes. The villa has hurricane-resistant glass, a fortified roof and an elevation certificate, meaning it is less prone to flooding than other properties nearby. | |
| But it has also never been tested by a storm of Irma’s magnitude. Evacuees from the Florida Keys seeking sanctuary checked in for only five hours on Friday before looking at Irma’s predicted path and deciding to swiftly move on. | |
| “In a way I’m glad,” Mrs Carter said. “We felt a sort of responsibility for their safety. All we can do is sit and wait and hope for the best. | |
| “The property and all our belongings, they can be replaced. It’s people’s lives that can’t.” | |
| 6.54pm BST | 6.54pm BST |
| 18:54 | 18:54 |
| In Miami, gusts of strong wind and rain are periodically slamming onto the buildings and streets, but the weather is far from uniform around south Florida as Irma lingers over Cuba. | In Miami, gusts of strong wind and rain are periodically slamming onto the buildings and streets, but the weather is far from uniform around south Florida as Irma lingers over Cuba. |
| Facebook live from Edgewater, Miami as a strong outer band of #HurricaneIrma blew in a few minutes ago: https://t.co/vJWXGeseiD @NBC6 pic.twitter.com/sEIP81iQO5 | Facebook live from Edgewater, Miami as a strong outer band of #HurricaneIrma blew in a few minutes ago: https://t.co/vJWXGeseiD @NBC6 pic.twitter.com/sEIP81iQO5 |
| In Boca Raton, about an hour to the north of the city, people are still on the beaches, testing the intensifying surf. | In Boca Raton, about an hour to the north of the city, people are still on the beaches, testing the intensifying surf. |
| That moment the wave hits...#IRMA @CBS12 pic.twitter.com/Y27FgoHLIk | That moment the wave hits...#IRMA @CBS12 pic.twitter.com/Y27FgoHLIk |
| 6.20pm BST | 6.20pm BST |
| 18:20 | 18:20 |
| What we know so far | What we know so far |
| Hurricane Irma slowed to a category three storm as it crashed across Cuba’s northern coast, lashing towns with 125mph winds and flooding them with intense surges. As of midday local time, the storm was about 170 miles away from Florida, and expected to regain category four intensity. | Hurricane Irma slowed to a category three storm as it crashed across Cuba’s northern coast, lashing towns with 125mph winds and flooding them with intense surges. As of midday local time, the storm was about 170 miles away from Florida, and expected to regain category four intensity. |
| More than seven million people were ordered to flee from their homes in several states, including nearly a third of Florida’s population. More than 50,000 people are in about 300 shelters around the state, counties enacted curfews, and power providers already began to struggle with demand. | More than seven million people were ordered to flee from their homes in several states, including nearly a third of Florida’s population. More than 50,000 people are in about 300 shelters around the state, counties enacted curfews, and power providers already began to struggle with demand. |
| Florida prepared for what its governor called “the most catastrophic storm the state has ever seen”. Irma is forecast to make landfall on the Florida Keys early Sunday morning and then to pummel south-west Florida on a 30-hour journey northward. | Florida prepared for what its governor called “the most catastrophic storm the state has ever seen”. Irma is forecast to make landfall on the Florida Keys early Sunday morning and then to pummel south-west Florida on a 30-hour journey northward. |
| In Florida’s south-west, officials expect storm surges as high as 15ft. “Fifteen feet is devastating and will cover your house,” governor Rick Scott said. “Do not think the storm is over when the wind slows down. The storm surge will rush in and it could kill you.” Large swaths of Florida were given tornado warnings, and the National Weather Service’s Key West station delivered a dire warning: “THIS IS AS REAL AS IT GETS. NOWHERE IN THE FLORIDA KEYS WILL BE SAFE.” | In Florida’s south-west, officials expect storm surges as high as 15ft. “Fifteen feet is devastating and will cover your house,” governor Rick Scott said. “Do not think the storm is over when the wind slows down. The storm surge will rush in and it could kill you.” Large swaths of Florida were given tornado warnings, and the National Weather Service’s Key West station delivered a dire warning: “THIS IS AS REAL AS IT GETS. NOWHERE IN THE FLORIDA KEYS WILL BE SAFE.” |
| Twenty-five people have been confirmed killed around the Caribbean, including 11 people on French St Martin and St Barts, four in the US Virgin Islands, three on Puerto Rico, two on Dutch St Maarten, one person in Anguilla and a two year old in Barbuda. | Twenty-five people have been confirmed killed around the Caribbean, including 11 people on French St Martin and St Barts, four in the US Virgin Islands, three on Puerto Rico, two on Dutch St Maarten, one person in Anguilla and a two year old in Barbuda. |
| Category-four hurricane Jose threatened landfall in the eastern Caribbean, complicating relief efforts for islands that have only just emerged from Irma’s winds. On Barbuda, where the prime minister estimated 90% of buildings were destroyed, a mandatory evacuation moved people to the larger sister island of Antigua. | Category-four hurricane Jose threatened landfall in the eastern Caribbean, complicating relief efforts for islands that have only just emerged from Irma’s winds. On Barbuda, where the prime minister estimated 90% of buildings were destroyed, a mandatory evacuation moved people to the larger sister island of Antigua. |
| Another storm, Katia, was downgraded to a tropical depression as it pushed onto land from Mexico’s Gulf coast. Two people were killed in a mudslide in Veracruz, according to the AP. | Another storm, Katia, was downgraded to a tropical depression as it pushed onto land from Mexico’s Gulf coast. Two people were killed in a mudslide in Veracruz, according to the AP. |
| 6.03pm BST | 6.03pm BST |
| 18:03 | 18:03 |
| Florida governor Rick Scott, repeating his warnings as much as possible on television and in person to residents, says hurricane Irma will eclipse hurricane Andrew, the devastating 1992 storm, as the most frightening storm in the state’s history. | Florida governor Rick Scott, repeating his warnings as much as possible on television and in person to residents, says hurricane Irma will eclipse hurricane Andrew, the devastating 1992 storm, as the most frightening storm in the state’s history. |
| "This is the most catastrophic storm the state has ever seen." @FLGovScott is issuing urgent warnings to residents: https://t.co/AF15mgMMox pic.twitter.com/IfAbbz6XDB | "This is the most catastrophic storm the state has ever seen." @FLGovScott is issuing urgent warnings to residents: https://t.co/AF15mgMMox pic.twitter.com/IfAbbz6XDB |
| 6.01pm BST | 6.01pm BST |
| 18:01 | 18:01 |
| Jessica Glenza | Jessica Glenza |
| Jessica Glenza, reporting from her childhood home of St Petersburg – now in Irma’s path on the Gulf coast – writes that south Florida’s grocery stores are nearly as barren as the roads and city blocks. | Jessica Glenza, reporting from her childhood home of St Petersburg – now in Irma’s path on the Gulf coast – writes that south Florida’s grocery stores are nearly as barren as the roads and city blocks. |
| At the grocery store shelves are bare of the essentials - bleach, soup, beans, bread. | At the grocery store shelves are bare of the essentials - bleach, soup, beans, bread. |
| Ice deliveries were announced on the loud speaker - with a two bag maximum per person. Cases of water were also limited to two per person. | Ice deliveries were announced on the loud speaker - with a two bag maximum per person. Cases of water were also limited to two per person. |
| As I checked out, a manager went around to cashiers and handed them a letter - “this will get you through any roadblocks or anything”, because they were all on call. | As I checked out, a manager went around to cashiers and handed them a letter - “this will get you through any roadblocks or anything”, because they were all on call. |
| Publix would close in just an hour, and some workers still had to evacuate, some said. | Publix would close in just an hour, and some workers still had to evacuate, some said. |
| In carts, everyone has water, nearly everyone has beer. Phones alarmed - “woo-woo-woo” - continuously with weather warnings | In carts, everyone has water, nearly everyone has beer. Phones alarmed - “woo-woo-woo” - continuously with weather warnings |
| Update: Publix will have store closures in south and central Florida. For full list and details visit: https://t.co/DCoTPsYjT6 | Update: Publix will have store closures in south and central Florida. For full list and details visit: https://t.co/DCoTPsYjT6 |
| 5.48pm BST | 5.48pm BST |
| 17:48 | 17:48 |
| Cuba is suffering the worst of hurricane Irma’s winds and rain right now, as the category three storm tracks its way across land along the coast. In Miami, intermittent gusts and rainfall have given away for the moment, with the storm still over 150 miles to the south. | Cuba is suffering the worst of hurricane Irma’s winds and rain right now, as the category three storm tracks its way across land along the coast. In Miami, intermittent gusts and rainfall have given away for the moment, with the storm still over 150 miles to the south. |
| Irma is expected to regain strength as it heads northward, with a projected course along Florida’s west coast. | Irma is expected to regain strength as it heads northward, with a projected course along Florida’s west coast. |
| Heavy damage reported in #SantaClara #Cuba as #HurricaneIrma impacts the island @Telemundo51 pic.twitter.com/oyBK2rPBlt | Heavy damage reported in #SantaClara #Cuba as #HurricaneIrma impacts the island @Telemundo51 pic.twitter.com/oyBK2rPBlt |
| Downtown Miami is rain and wind-free right now. Also empty. Almost no activity on streets. pic.twitter.com/NjNGv9Bl38 | Downtown Miami is rain and wind-free right now. Also empty. Almost no activity on streets. pic.twitter.com/NjNGv9Bl38 |
| 5.14pm BST | 5.14pm BST |
| 17:14 | 17:14 |
| Scott: 15ft surge predicted, six million told to flee | Scott: 15ft surge predicted, six million told to flee |
| Florida governor Rick Scott is giving another update, now with an increasingly dire forecast for the south-west coast and Tampa. | Florida governor Rick Scott is giving another update, now with an increasingly dire forecast for the south-west coast and Tampa. |
| He warns that in some places storm surges could be 15ft above ground level. “Think about that. Fifteen feet is devastating and will cover your house,” he says. In Tampa, the storm surge is forecast to be five to eight feet. “The typical first story is seven to nine feet. That is a life threatening situation.” | He warns that in some places storm surges could be 15ft above ground level. “Think about that. Fifteen feet is devastating and will cover your house,” he says. In Tampa, the storm surge is forecast to be five to eight feet. “The typical first story is seven to nine feet. That is a life threatening situation.” |
| “Do not think the storm is over when the wind slows down,” he continues. “Local officials will let you know when it’s safe. The storm surge could rush in and it could kill you.” | “Do not think the storm is over when the wind slows down,” he continues. “Local officials will let you know when it’s safe. The storm surge could rush in and it could kill you.” |
| He pleads again with people not to take any chances, especially in evacuation zones or people who live in vulnerable mobile homes. “If you have been ordered to evacuate from anywhere in the state, you need to leave right now.” | He pleads again with people not to take any chances, especially in evacuation zones or people who live in vulnerable mobile homes. “If you have been ordered to evacuate from anywhere in the state, you need to leave right now.” |
| So far 6.3 million Floridians – nearly a third of the state’s population – have been ordered to leave their homes to escape the full force of the storm. | So far 6.3 million Floridians – nearly a third of the state’s population – have been ordered to leave their homes to escape the full force of the storm. |
| “Do not put your life or your family’s life at risk. Right now is the right time to do the right thing for your family.” | “Do not put your life or your family’s life at risk. Right now is the right time to do the right thing for your family.” |
| A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Florida until 12 AM EDT pic.twitter.com/dZUmtYYzZJ | A tornado watch has been issued for parts of Florida until 12 AM EDT pic.twitter.com/dZUmtYYzZJ |
| 5.00pm BST | 5.00pm BST |
| 17:00 | 17:00 |
| 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. | 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. | 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 | Here is the latest forecast track on #Irma pic.twitter.com/UAlb3rjFSu |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 5.02pm BST | at 5.02pm BST |
| 4.40pm BST | 4.40pm BST |
| 16:40 | 16:40 |
| The National Weather Service is now predicting 10-20in of rain, with 20-25in in the Florida Keys and other particularly vulnerable regions. | 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. | 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! | *ALERT: There is imminent danger of life-threatening, CATASTROPHIC storm surge for SW #Florida. If ordered to evacuate, do so immediately! |
| 4.28pm BST | 4.28pm BST |
| 16:28 | 16:28 |
| 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/qz4QwNdYak | Irma has submerged the town of Caibarien, Cuba under several feet of water. pic.twitter.com/qz4QwNdYak |
| 4.16pm BST | 4.16pm BST |
| 16:16 | 16:16 |
| 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/b6XtIF92YI | 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/b6XtIF92YI |
| 4.05pm BST | 4.05pm BST |
| 16:05 | 16:05 |
| Irma becomes category three storm | Irma 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/HrwZs3ZlNI | 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/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/PPd9NYWzCT | Wind and rain picking up a bit along US1 and SW 328th in #Homestead @nbc6 pic.twitter.com/PPd9NYWzCT |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.08pm BST | at 4.08pm BST |
| 3.43pm BST | 3.43pm BST |
| 15:43 | 15:43 |
| 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/wKufXxk9LT | And 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/cPI7siTgtX | 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/cPI7siTgtX |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.58pm BST | at 3.58pm BST |
| 3.25pm BST | 3.25pm BST |
| 15:25 | 15:25 |
| Scott: evacuate south-west zones before noon | Scott: 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/ijbHhMb9et | Wind gusts picking up for South Florida. Nobody reporting hurricane gusts yet but that will change. @NBC6 #NBC6 pic.twitter.com/ijbHhMb9et |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.27pm BST | at 4.27pm BST |
| 3.12pm BST | 3.12pm BST |
| 15:12 | 15:12 |
| 2.56pm BST | 2.56pm BST |
| 14:56 | 14:56 |
| 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. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.04pm BST | at 4.04pm BST |
| 2.50pm BST | 2.50pm BST |
| 14:50 | 14:50 |
| Mattha Busby | Mattha 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. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 3.59pm BST | at 3.59pm BST |
| 2.45pm BST | 2.45pm BST |
| 14:45 | 14:45 |
| Mattha Busby | Mattha 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. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 4.05pm BST | at 4.05pm BST |
| 2.42pm BST | 2.42pm BST |
| 14:42 | 14:42 |
| 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. |