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Hurricane Irma: Superstorm reaches Cuba as Florida evacuates millions - latest updates Hurricane Irma: Florida evacuates millions as superstorm batters Cuba - latest updates
(35 minutes later)
10.39am BST
10:39
Phil Maynard
George W Bush’s presidency never fully recovered from his botched handling of Hurricane Katrina. Barack Obama won re-election just days after Hurricane Sandy struck. So how can presidents respond effectively to natural disasters? And how has Donald Trump managed the response to Harvey and Irma?
10.34am BST
10:34
President Trump’s “reckless” attitude to climate change is being shown to be folly as Hurricane Irma tears towards Florida, a major charity has said.
Miami, in the south of the state, topped the list of most vulnerable cities to climate change induced coastal flooding, in a report produced by Christian Aid last year.
Mohamed Adow, Christian Aid’s international climate lead, said on Saturday morning:
We’re starting to see what happens when climate breakdown occurs on a global scale. As well as Hurricane Irma we currently have two other hurricanes in the west Atlantic, Jose and Katia, not to mention the destruction from Hurricane Harvey in Texas.
While we’re seeing the richest country on earth struggling to cope with the devastation of extreme weather, don’t forget the 40 million people affected by floods in South Asia, an area without anywhere near the same infrastructure or resources to cope.
Trump’s promise to withdraw from the Paris climate accord and undoing President Obama’s Clean Power Plan is the exact opposite of what we need to see in the face of this lethal reality.
As seas get warmer, providing more energy to tropical storms, the people of Florida and the Caribbean will continue to suffer until leaders like Trump start to reduce the carbon emissions which drive climate change.
The city of Miami is particularly vulnerable with more than $3.5 trillion of assets at risk from flooding by 2070. In its report, the charity showed American cities would face the financial brunt of coastal flooding by 2070 with New York coming third with $2.1 trillion.Mr Adow added:
The cost of the reckless climate policies espoused by Donald Trump will be paid in the lives of people living in these places and the trillions of dollars lost in places like Miami and New York, not to mention the economic disruption and the money needed to rebuild cities suffering from floods and storm damage.
That is why if we don’t invest now in low carbon infrastructure to decarbonise our economies we will end up paying for it later.
Updated
at 10.41am BST
10.23am BST
10:23
Dutch marines have dropped flyers from a helicopter warning inhabitants on the devastated nation of St. Maarten to head to shelters as Hurricane Jose heads its way, following in Irma’s path.
Jose, a Category 4 storm with 150 mph winds, was forecast to pass close to St. Maarten over the weekend, delivering a second damaging blow to the former Dutch colony that suffered catastrophic damage when Category 5 Hurricane Irma slammed into it on Wednesday.
Peter Jan de Vin, a Dutch military commander on the island of Curacao who is helping coordinate relief efforts on St. Maarten, tweeted a picture Saturday morning of a marine dropping flyers out of a helicopter flying low over one of St. Maarten’s shattered seafront neighborhoods.
Flyers boven St Maarten vanuit heli ZEELAND om bevolking te waarschuwen voor orkaan José . Oproep om naar shelters te gaan.@kon_marine #irma pic.twitter.com/EvS5hLcLXK
10.21am BST
10:21
Hurricane Irma has "weakened" to a category 4 storm
Hurricane Irma, which is passing over north Cuba, is now a category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds of 155 miles per hour, according to the latest advisory from the National Hurricane Center.
However, it is still being described as “powerful and large”.
5AM ADVISORY: Hurricane #Irma has "weakened" a bit back down to a CAT 4 storm as it continues to impact Cuba. Winds are down to 155 mph. pic.twitter.com/ECuQuNsNVP
9/9 5AM Tropical Update: #Irma continues to move closer to South Florida as a powerful, large Category 4 Hurricane #FLwx pic.twitter.com/zwfDtQqW6p
More to follow.
9.48am BST9.48am BST
09:4809:48
Some good news as Storm Katia – formerly a category one hurricane – rapidly weakened after it made landfall near the beach resort of Tecolutla in the state of Veracruz on the Mexican Gulf coast, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.Some good news as Storm Katia – formerly a category one hurricane – rapidly weakened after it made landfall near the beach resort of Tecolutla in the state of Veracruz on the Mexican Gulf coast, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.
Katia was downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical storm as it was about 110 miles (175 km) northwest of Veracruz, Mexico with sustained winds of 45 mph (70 kmh), the center said in an advisory.Katia was downgraded from a hurricane to a tropical storm as it was about 110 miles (175 km) northwest of Veracruz, Mexico with sustained winds of 45 mph (70 kmh), the center said in an advisory.
Mexico is also dealing with the aftermath of a powerful earthquake on Thursday night. The quake, the strongest to strike the country in more than 80 years, killed at least 61 people.Mexico is also dealing with the aftermath of a powerful earthquake on Thursday night. The quake, the strongest to strike the country in more than 80 years, killed at least 61 people.
More on that story here:More on that story here:
9.38am BST9.38am BST
09:3809:38
Patrick Oppmann, Cuba correspondent for CNN, is live tweeting his experiences as Irma gives Cuba “holy hell”.Patrick Oppmann, Cuba correspondent for CNN, is live tweeting his experiences as Irma gives Cuba “holy hell”.
He said:He said:
Irma giving Cuba holy hell right now; winds do not let up.Irma giving Cuba holy hell right now; winds do not let up.
Water is half way up the 1st floor of house I am in. We should be fine, many others will not.Water is half way up the 1st floor of house I am in. We should be fine, many others will not.
Pitch dark and the wind screaming. What a night.Pitch dark and the wind screaming. What a night.
Cat 5 Irma battering Cuba right now, watching waves roll down street I walked yesterday.Cat 5 Irma battering Cuba right now, watching waves roll down street I walked yesterday.
Flood waters surround house me and my team are in & going up. Will be here for a while.Flood waters surround house me and my team are in & going up. Will be here for a while.
Pitch dark and the wind screaming. What a night.Pitch dark and the wind screaming. What a night.
9.11am BST9.11am BST
09:1109:11
With Hurricane Jose gaining in strength and 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 gaining in strength and 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.
Only a few people “resisted the call” to evacuate.Only a few people “resisted the call” to evacuate.
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
8.49am BST8.49am BST
08:4908:49
Martin FarrerMartin Farrer
Hurricane Jose has “almost” reached category five strength, with top winds of 155 mph (250kmh) as it heads towards the eastern Caribbean islands ravaged by Hurricane Irma.Hurricane Jose has “almost” reached category five strength, with top winds of 155 mph (250kmh) as it heads towards the eastern Caribbean islands ravaged by Hurricane Irma.
Jose was about 240 miles (390km) east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands on Saturday morning and was forecast to hit the outlying Caribbean islands later in the day.Jose was about 240 miles (390km) east-southeast of the northern Leeward Islands on Saturday morning and was forecast to hit the outlying Caribbean islands later in the day.
The US national hurricane centre said that “air force hurricane hunters find Jose even stronger ... almost a category 5 hurricane”.The US national hurricane centre said that “air force hurricane hunters find Jose even stronger ... almost a category 5 hurricane”.
It issued hurricane warnings for the eastern Caribbean islands of Barbuda and Anguilla, Sint Maarten, St Martin and St Barthelemy. A hurricane watch was in effect for Antigua, while tropical storm watch was is in effect for Montserrat, St Kitts, and Nevis, British Virgin Islands, and St Thomas and St John.It issued hurricane warnings for the eastern Caribbean islands of Barbuda and Anguilla, Sint Maarten, St Martin and St Barthelemy. A hurricane watch was in effect for Antigua, while tropical storm watch was is in effect for Montserrat, St Kitts, and Nevis, British Virgin Islands, and St Thomas and St John.
More on that story here:More on that story here:
8.40am BST8.40am BST
08:4008:40
Matt Taylor, a broadcast meteorologist for the BBC, has commented on the language used in a tweet from the National Weather Service (NWS) in Key West, Florida, which urged people to evacuate.Matt Taylor, a broadcast meteorologist for the BBC, has commented on the language used in a tweet from the National Weather Service (NWS) in Key West, Florida, which urged people to evacuate.
The tweet said: “THIS IS AS REAL AS IT GETS... NOWHERE IN THE FLORIDA KEYS WILL BE SAFE ... YOU STILL HAVE TIME TO EVACUATE”.The tweet said: “THIS IS AS REAL AS IT GETS... NOWHERE IN THE FLORIDA KEYS WILL BE SAFE ... YOU STILL HAVE TIME TO EVACUATE”.
Taylor has tweeted that meteorologists normally use reserved language so when you see this issued you know it’s the “real deal”.Taylor has tweeted that meteorologists normally use reserved language so when you see this issued you know it’s the “real deal”.
Us meteorologists are naturally reserved in the language we use. When you see this issued then, you know this really is the real deal ... https://t.co/V7VAWDGPXCUs meteorologists are naturally reserved in the language we use. When you see this issued then, you know this really is the real deal ... https://t.co/V7VAWDGPXC
8.24am BST8.24am BST
08:2408:24
Barbuda victim named as Carl Junior FrancisBarbuda victim named as Carl Junior Francis
This is Nicola Slawson in the UK taking over from Claire. I’ll be keeping you up to date throughout the day on Hurricane Irma.This is Nicola Slawson in the UK taking over from Claire. I’ll be keeping you up to date throughout the day on Hurricane Irma.
The first victim of Irma was two-year-old Carl Junior Francis, Associated Press reports:The first victim of Irma was two-year-old Carl Junior Francis, Associated Press reports:
On Barbuda, a coral island rising a mere 125ft (38m) above sea level, authorities ordered an evacuation of all 1,400 people to neighbouring Antigua, where Stevet Jeremiah was reunited with one son and made plans to bury another.On Barbuda, a coral island rising a mere 125ft (38m) above sea level, authorities ordered an evacuation of all 1,400 people to neighbouring Antigua, where Stevet Jeremiah was reunited with one son and made plans to bury another.
Jeremiah, who sells lobster and crab to tourists, was huddled in her wooden home on Barbuda early Wednesday with her partner and their two- and four-year-old boys as Irma ripped open their metal roof and sent the ocean surging into the house.Jeremiah, who sells lobster and crab to tourists, was huddled in her wooden home on Barbuda early Wednesday with her partner and their two- and four-year-old boys as Irma ripped open their metal roof and sent the ocean surging into the house.
Her younger son, Carl Junior Francis, was swept away. Neighbours found his body after sunrise.Her younger son, Carl Junior Francis, was swept away. Neighbours found his body after sunrise.
“Two years old. He just turned two, the 17th, last month. Just turned two,” she repeated.“Two years old. He just turned two, the 17th, last month. Just turned two,” she repeated.
Her first task, she said, would be to organise his funeral. “That’s all I can do. There is nothing else I can do.”Her first task, she said, would be to organise his funeral. “That’s all I can do. There is nothing else I can do.”
8.12am BST8.12am BST
08:1208:12
Florida forecastFlorida forecast
The weather service for Florida’s Tampa Bay has issued a stark warning of the expected impact of Irma as it sweeps across the state.The weather service for Florida’s Tampa Bay has issued a stark warning of the expected impact of Irma as it sweeps across the state.
The hurricane is forecast to hit the Florida Keys from Sunday morning and move north across the state – but tropical storm-force winds are expected from Saturday morning, within hours. Wind speeds are already elevated and the outer rain bands of the hurricane have brushed the east Florida coast.The hurricane is forecast to hit the Florida Keys from Sunday morning and move north across the state – but tropical storm-force winds are expected from Saturday morning, within hours. Wind speeds are already elevated and the outer rain bands of the hurricane have brushed the east Florida coast.
The NWS Tampa Bay statement warns:The NWS Tampa Bay statement warns:
Irma is a large and broad hurricane, so regardless of the exact track of the centre of the storm, there will be impacts felt across the peninsula.Irma is a large and broad hurricane, so regardless of the exact track of the centre of the storm, there will be impacts felt across the peninsula.
It is expected to turn north towards south-west Florida later today [Saturday], brining hurricane-force winds to much of the local area Sunday afternoon through early Monday. Hurricane-force wind gusts will likely be experienced across the entire peninsula through early Monday …It is expected to turn north towards south-west Florida later today [Saturday], brining hurricane-force winds to much of the local area Sunday afternoon through early Monday. Hurricane-force wind gusts will likely be experienced across the entire peninsula through early Monday …
Storm surge flooding is expected across much of the Florida Gulf coast.Storm surge flooding is expected across much of the Florida Gulf coast.
Heavy rainfall will spread northward beginning late Saturday and continuing through early Monday. The heaviest rainfall is expected north and east of the centre of the storm, where local amounts may exceed 15 inches (38cm) in some areas!Heavy rainfall will spread northward beginning late Saturday and continuing through early Monday. The heaviest rainfall is expected north and east of the centre of the storm, where local amounts may exceed 15 inches (38cm) in some areas!
Inland flooding and storm surge combined account for the most deaths when it comes to hurricanes.Inland flooding and storm surge combined account for the most deaths when it comes to hurricanes.
Finally we can expect a few tornadoes within the hurricane’s outer rain bands beginning later today and lasting into Sunday night.Finally we can expect a few tornadoes within the hurricane’s outer rain bands beginning later today and lasting into Sunday night.
UpdatedUpdated
at 8.13am BSTat 8.13am BST
7.55am BST7.55am BST
07:5507:55
What we know so farWhat we know so far
Claire PhippsClaire Phipps
Welcome to our continuing live coverage of Hurricane Irma – now with Hurricane Jose on its heels.Welcome to our continuing live coverage of Hurricane Irma – now with Hurricane Jose on its heels.
Here are the latest updates:Here are the latest updates:
Hurricane Irma, which briefly dipped to category four intensity, is now back up to category five and has made landfall in Cuba.Hurricane Irma, which briefly dipped to category four intensity, is now back up to category five and has made landfall in Cuba.
Irma is now forecast to hit the Florida Keys on Sunday morning, moving over south-west Florida by Sunday afternoon, then crossing the entire state over approximately 30 hours of ferocious winds and rains.Irma is now forecast to hit the Florida Keys on Sunday morning, moving over south-west Florida by Sunday afternoon, then crossing the entire state over approximately 30 hours of ferocious winds and rains.
On Saturday, Irma continues to rake the north coast of Cuba, where it first hit the Camaguey archipelago on Friday night. It is the first category five storm to make landfall in Cuba for almost a century.On Saturday, Irma continues to rake the north coast of Cuba, where it first hit the Camaguey archipelago on Friday night. It is the first category five storm to make landfall in Cuba for almost a century.
Saturday will also see tropical storm-force winds lash Florida, ahead of Irma’s arrival. Outer rain bands have already reached the peninsula.Saturday will also see tropical storm-force winds lash Florida, ahead of Irma’s arrival. Outer rain bands have already reached the peninsula.
Florida has ordered 5.6 million people – a quarter of the state’s population – to evacuate, warning that those who do not leave cannot expect rescue services to reach them once Irma hits. A curfew comes into effect in Palm Beach from 3pm on Saturday.Florida has ordered 5.6 million people – a quarter of the state’s population – to evacuate, warning that those who do not leave cannot expect rescue services to reach them once Irma hits. A curfew comes into effect in Palm Beach from 3pm on Saturday.
Florida governor Rick Scott warned on Friday:Florida governor Rick Scott warned on Friday:
If you are planning to leave and do not leave tonight, you will have to ride out this extremely dangerous storm at your own risk.If you are planning to leave and do not leave tonight, you will have to ride out this extremely dangerous storm at your own risk.
In Georgia, 540,000 people on the coast received mandatory evacuation orders.In Georgia, 540,000 people on the coast received mandatory evacuation orders.
The Bahamas meteorological office said the main island of New Providence had been spared the worst as Irma passed close by, but the southern Bahamas had been more badly hit.The Bahamas meteorological office said the main island of New Providence had been spared the worst as Irma passed close by, but the southern Bahamas had been more badly hit.
At least 23 people have been confirmed killed in the Caribbean so far. The first victim of Irma was two-year-old Carl Junior Francis in Barbuda. Eleven died on French St Martin and St Barts, four in the US Virgin Islands, three on Puerto Rico, two on Dutch St Maarten and one in Anguilla. A teenage surfer died off Barbados in waves churned up by Irma, and four deaths were reported on the British Virgin Islands that have yet to be corroborated.At least 23 people have been confirmed killed in the Caribbean so far. The first victim of Irma was two-year-old Carl Junior Francis in Barbuda. Eleven died on French St Martin and St Barts, four in the US Virgin Islands, three on Puerto Rico, two on Dutch St Maarten and one in Anguilla. A teenage surfer died off Barbados in waves churned up by Irma, and four deaths were reported on the British Virgin Islands that have yet to be corroborated.
Clear-up efforts on Caribbean islands – to which Britain, France and the Netherlands have sent support – have been hampered by the approaching Hurricane Jose.Clear-up efforts on Caribbean islands – to which Britain, France and the Netherlands have sent support – have been hampered by the approaching Hurricane Jose.
Jose is forecast to hit islands already ravaged by Irma – including Barbuda, Anguilla, St Maarten, St Martin and St Barthélemy – from Saturday. Hurricane Jose, currently a category four, is “almost category five”, the US National Hurricane Center has said.Jose is forecast to hit islands already ravaged by Irma – including Barbuda, Anguilla, St Maarten, St Martin and St Barthélemy – from Saturday. Hurricane Jose, currently a category four, is “almost category five”, the US National Hurricane Center has said.
But Katia – formerly a category one hurricane as it made landfall in Mexico – has been downgraded to a tropical storm.But Katia – formerly a category one hurricane as it made landfall in Mexico – has been downgraded to a tropical storm.