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Florida awaits full impact of Irma as storm makes landfall – as it happened Florida awaits full impact of Irma as storm makes landfall – as it happened
(2 months later)
2.11pm BST
14:11
What we know so farWhat we know so far
Hurricane Irma, a category 4 storm, has hit the lower Florida Keys. Gusts of 91mph have already been recorded at Key West with 71mph recorded at Fort Lauderdale.Hurricane Irma, a category 4 storm, has hit the lower Florida Keys. Gusts of 91mph have already been recorded at Key West with 71mph recorded at Fort Lauderdale.
A warning from the National Weather Service in Key West warned people to “take action now to protect your life”. It said: “If you are here, please go to interior room away from windows. Treat these imminent extreme winds as if a tornado was approaching and move immediately to the safe room in your shelter.”A warning from the National Weather Service in Key West warned people to “take action now to protect your life”. It said: “If you are here, please go to interior room away from windows. Treat these imminent extreme winds as if a tornado was approaching and move immediately to the safe room in your shelter.”
As Hurricane Irma moves through the Caribbean, President Trump has issued emergency declarations for Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Puerto Rico. A major disaster declaration has also been issued for the US Virgin Islands.As Hurricane Irma moves through the Caribbean, President Trump has issued emergency declarations for Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Puerto Rico. A major disaster declaration has also been issued for the US Virgin Islands.
Amid urgent warnings from state officials to evacuate before it was too late, downtown Miami was all but abandoned on Saturday.Amid urgent warnings from state officials to evacuate before it was too late, downtown Miami was all but abandoned on Saturday.
Residents in the British Virgin Islands have described a scene of “utter devastation” in the wake of Irma.Residents in the British Virgin Islands have described a scene of “utter devastation” in the wake of Irma.
The United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association (UKOTA) has criticised the response of the UK government as slow, urging it to “commit immediate resources” but also to develop the long term economic self-sustainability of the territories.The United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association (UKOTA) has criticised the response of the UK government as slow, urging it to “commit immediate resources” but also to develop the long term economic self-sustainability of the territories.
The UK defence secretary, Michael Fallon, said the government’s response had been “as good [as that] of anyone else” and claimed France was now asking it for help.The UK defence secretary, Michael Fallon, said the government’s response had been “as good [as that] of anyone else” and claimed France was now asking it for help.
The Cuban capital Havana has flooded and 5,000 tourists have been evacuated after Irma raked the country’s north coast.The Cuban capital Havana has flooded and 5,000 tourists have been evacuated after Irma raked the country’s north coast.
Prime minister William Marlin of the Dutch island St Maarten says about 1,600 tourists who were in the Dutch Caribbean territory have been evacuated and efforts are being made to move 1,200 more.Prime minister William Marlin of the Dutch island St Maarten says about 1,600 tourists who were in the Dutch Caribbean territory have been evacuated and efforts are being made to move 1,200 more.
A Florida sheriff has advised people not to shoot at the hurricane as this could backfire.A Florida sheriff has advised people not to shoot at the hurricane as this could backfire.
1.57pm BST
13:57
CBS4 chief meteorologist Craig Setzer says the eye of Irma has missed Key West.CBS4 chief meteorologist Craig Setzer says the eye of Irma has missed Key West.
The center of the storm has wobbled right, missing Key West. Strongest wind and heavy rain over Big Pine Key. pic.twitter.com/Nt8eWexsI6The center of the storm has wobbled right, missing Key West. Strongest wind and heavy rain over Big Pine Key. pic.twitter.com/Nt8eWexsI6
1.47pm BST
13:47
Wind speeds on land are increasing, reports meteorologist Adam Berg:Wind speeds on land are increasing, reports meteorologist Adam Berg:
Recent 91mph wind gust at #KeyWest to go along with 71 mph at #MIA and #FortLauderale (FXE) @nbc6 pic.twitter.com/tzydnD9GivRecent 91mph wind gust at #KeyWest to go along with 71 mph at #MIA and #FortLauderale (FXE) @nbc6 pic.twitter.com/tzydnD9Giv
1.14pm BST
13:14
This is another spectacular video from Fort Lauderdale, Florida:This is another spectacular video from Fort Lauderdale, Florida:
Time-lapse video of daybreak in Fort Lauderdale, September 10, 2017.Live stream: https://t.co/31Z0QwOrbs#irma Courtesy: Phillip Shaver. pic.twitter.com/vJVcQGLEtfTime-lapse video of daybreak in Fort Lauderdale, September 10, 2017.Live stream: https://t.co/31Z0QwOrbs#irma Courtesy: Phillip Shaver. pic.twitter.com/vJVcQGLEtf
1.09pm BST
13:09
The United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association (UKOTA) has criticised the response of the UK government - defended earlier by defence secretary Michael Fallon - to the devastation wreaked by Hurricane Irma.The United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association (UKOTA) has criticised the response of the UK government - defended earlier by defence secretary Michael Fallon - to the devastation wreaked by Hurricane Irma.
David Burt, UKOTA president and premier of Bermuda, said:David Burt, UKOTA president and premier of Bermuda, said:
There is an urgent need for health and social welfare support which must be met now. We welcome the commitment from the UK government in providing some immediate resources to British Nationals within the Caribbean, while questioning the adequacy of its response in other areas such as a regional reconstruction fund, and the two-week wait for the arrival of HMS Ocean.There is an urgent need for health and social welfare support which must be met now. We welcome the commitment from the UK government in providing some immediate resources to British Nationals within the Caribbean, while questioning the adequacy of its response in other areas such as a regional reconstruction fund, and the two-week wait for the arrival of HMS Ocean.
We note that the House of Commons Foreign Affairs and International Development Select Committees have raised these issues in terms as well. The overseas territories are diverse in our constitutions, populations and economic sustainability, encompassing the Caribbean, Europe, and most remote islands in the South Atlantic. We therefore call upon the UK government not only to commit immediate resources but also to examine and develop the long term economic self-sustainability of the overseas territories.We note that the House of Commons Foreign Affairs and International Development Select Committees have raised these issues in terms as well. The overseas territories are diverse in our constitutions, populations and economic sustainability, encompassing the Caribbean, Europe, and most remote islands in the South Atlantic. We therefore call upon the UK government not only to commit immediate resources but also to examine and develop the long term economic self-sustainability of the overseas territories.
1.04pm BST
13:04
This is what Key West looks like now:This is what Key West looks like now:
Eyewall and Storm Surge !! #HurricaneIrma #KeyWest pic.twitter.com/jI9kItZWqJEyewall and Storm Surge !! #HurricaneIrma #KeyWest pic.twitter.com/jI9kItZWqJ
12.53pm BST
12:53
The warning from the National Weather Service Key West spells out the situation for people in the Florida Keys in stark terms:The warning from the National Weather Service Key West spells out the situation for people in the Florida Keys in stark terms:
If you are here, please go to interior room away from windows. Treat these imminent extreme winds as if a tornado was approaching and move immediately to the safe room in your shelter. Take action now to protect your life. You should already be taking cover.If you are here, please go to interior room away from windows. Treat these imminent extreme winds as if a tornado was approaching and move immediately to the safe room in your shelter. Take action now to protect your life. You should already be taking cover.
12.44pm BST
12:44
The power of Irma is captured in this video just posted on Twitter by Simon Brewer, who describes himself, among other things, as an “extreme weather journalist”:The power of Irma is captured in this video just posted on Twitter by Simon Brewer, who describes himself, among other things, as an “extreme weather journalist”:
Just getting more windy... @JustonStrmRider pic.twitter.com/EvdeXKJCMJJust getting more windy... @JustonStrmRider pic.twitter.com/EvdeXKJCMJ
12.13pm BST
12:13
This video was taken in the last few minutes by a Miami Herald reporter in Key West:This video was taken in the last few minutes by a Miami Herald reporter in Key West:
Hurricane Irma arriving soon in Key West #mh https://t.co/Za2n0i7aO9Hurricane Irma arriving soon in Key West #mh https://t.co/Za2n0i7aO9
12.06pm BST
12:06
The eye of the hurricane has reached the lower Florida Keys and moves ever closer to Key West:The eye of the hurricane has reached the lower Florida Keys and moves ever closer to Key West:
NORTHERN EYEWALL OF HURRICANE #IRMA REACHES THE LOWER FLORIDA KEYS. EYE IS 15 MILES SOUTHEAST OF KEY WEST. https://t.co/pyUyGir4z6NORTHERN EYEWALL OF HURRICANE #IRMA REACHES THE LOWER FLORIDA KEYS. EYE IS 15 MILES SOUTHEAST OF KEY WEST. https://t.co/pyUyGir4z6
Updated
at 12.11pm BST
12.05pm BST
12:05
The mayor of Miami Beach, Philip Levine, told CBS News This Morning the shift west of Hurricane Irma would spare Miami “the big brunt of it” but added:The mayor of Miami Beach, Philip Levine, told CBS News This Morning the shift west of Hurricane Irma would spare Miami “the big brunt of it” but added:
The storm is so massive, it’s so huge it doesn’t make a difference if the actual core/centre doesn’t go over Miami, Miami Beach. We are still receiving and going to be receiving hurricane force winds and of course we are very concerned about the tidal surges.The storm is so massive, it’s so huge it doesn’t make a difference if the actual core/centre doesn’t go over Miami, Miami Beach. We are still receiving and going to be receiving hurricane force winds and of course we are very concerned about the tidal surges.
11.59am BST
11:59
This is what Hurricane Irma looked like on the radar a few minutes ago:This is what Hurricane Irma looked like on the radar a few minutes ago:
6:44 AM Radar loop shows eyewall of #HurricaneIrma moving into lower Keys. Strong rainbands continue to batter South #Florida. pic.twitter.com/Vh26fdASNb6:44 AM Radar loop shows eyewall of #HurricaneIrma moving into lower Keys. Strong rainbands continue to batter South #Florida. pic.twitter.com/Vh26fdASNb
11.49am BST
11:49
This is the latest tornado warning from the National Weather Service:This is the latest tornado warning from the National Weather Service:
Tornado Warning continues for Wellington FL, Royal Palm Beach FL, Loxahatchee Groves FL until 7:00 AM EDT pic.twitter.com/JTeqr5bbgQTornado Warning continues for Wellington FL, Royal Palm Beach FL, Loxahatchee Groves FL until 7:00 AM EDT pic.twitter.com/JTeqr5bbgQ