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Next version
| Version 7 | Version 8 |
|---|---|
| Hurricane Irma: Florida evacuates millions as superstorm batters Cuba - latest updates | Hurricane Irma: Florida evacuates millions as superstorm batters Cuba - latest updates |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 12.58pm BST | |
| 12:58 | |
| The Foreign and Commonwealth Office have released an updated advisory on US travel saying that its ability to assist British people in Florida may be limited and anyone there should follow advice from local authorities. | |
| It is unknown how many Brits are currently in Florida, a popular holiday destination for families and older people. | |
| #USA #Irma Situation could deteriorate. Our ability to assist you may be limited. Consider travel plans carefully.https://t.co/AZOJ2sNR6t pic.twitter.com/nqqFmoUtoY | |
| The statement said: | |
| Across the United States it is important that you follow the advice of the local authorities, including any evacuation orders. The situation could deteriorate significantly. Our ability to provide assistance may be extremely limited. You should ensure you have your own contingency plans in place and consider your travel plans very carefully. | |
| 12.48pm BST | |
| 12:48 | |
| Patrick Greenfield | |
| Cuba prides itself on hurricane preparations, and Irma is no different. Over 1 million Cubans were evacuated before the storm, according to local media. Even dolphins have been transported to safety. | |
| Six dolphins were transported by helicopter from a dophinarium in Cayo Guillermo island in the north of Cuba to protective swimming pools in Cienfuegos on Thursday. | |
| Updated | |
| at 12.55pm BST | |
| 12.14pm BST | 12.14pm BST |
| 12:14 | 12:14 |
| Lunchtime summary | Lunchtime summary |
| Here’s a summary of what we know so far if you are just joining me. | Here’s a summary of what we know so far if you are just joining me. |
| Hurricane Irma, has dipped down to category-4 intensity, is still heading towards Florida after making landfall in Cuba. | Hurricane Irma, has dipped down to category-4 intensity, is still heading towards Florida after making landfall in Cuba. |
| Irma is 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 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 bash the north coast of Cuba, where it first hit the Camaguey archipelago on Friday night. With the sun rising, the full extent of the damage will soon become clear. | On Saturday, Irma continues to bash the north coast of Cuba, where it first hit the Camaguey archipelago on Friday night. With the sun rising, the full extent of the damage will soon become clear. |
| Florida has ordered 5.6 million people – a quarter of the state’s population – to evacuate, saying 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 local time on Saturday. | Florida has ordered 5.6 million people – a quarter of the state’s population – to evacuate, saying 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 local time on Saturday. |
| 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. |
| 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 4, is “almost category 5”, 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 4, is “almost category 5”, the US National Hurricane Center has said. |
| But Katia – formerly a category-1 hurricane as it made landfall in Mexico – has been downgraded to a tropical storm. | But Katia – formerly a category-1 hurricane as it made landfall in Mexico – has been downgraded to a tropical storm. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.19pm BST | at 12.19pm BST |
| 11.49am BST | 11.49am BST |
| 11:49 | 11:49 |
| Frozen star Josh Gad has described his co-star Kristen Bell as “an angel sent from above” after she helped his family who were caught up in Hurricane Irma. | Frozen star Josh Gad has described his co-star Kristen Bell as “an angel sent from above” after she helped his family who were caught up in Hurricane Irma. |
| Gad, who voices snowman Olaf in the animated hit, said Bell arranged for a hotel room for his parents when they were stranded in Florida as the US state braced for the storm to hit. | Gad, who voices snowman Olaf in the animated hit, said Bell arranged for a hotel room for his parents when they were stranded in Florida as the US state braced for the storm to hit. |
| No joke. @IMKristenBell just literally saved my parents, my brothers and entire family from #HurricaineIrma - you are an angel. I adore you. pic.twitter.com/XGWuOCjonB | No joke. @IMKristenBell just literally saved my parents, my brothers and entire family from #HurricaineIrma - you are an angel. I adore you. pic.twitter.com/XGWuOCjonB |
| He shared a picture of Bell, who voices Princess Anna in the film, with his parents on both Instagram and Twitter. | He shared a picture of Bell, who voices Princess Anna in the film, with his parents on both Instagram and Twitter. |
| On Instagram he captioned it: | On Instagram he captioned it: |
| So @kristenanniebell literally saved my parents and my entire family tonight from hurricane irma. | So @kristenanniebell literally saved my parents and my entire family tonight from hurricane irma. |
| When they were stranded in Florida, she got them a hotel room at her hotel in Orlando and saved them, my brothers, my sister-in-law and niece and nephew. | When they were stranded in Florida, she got them a hotel room at her hotel in Orlando and saved them, my brothers, my sister-in-law and niece and nephew. |
| They don’t make them like this girl. Thank you Kristen. You are truly an angel sent from above. | They don’t make them like this girl. Thank you Kristen. You are truly an angel sent from above. |
| Bell previously said she had been moved by the community spirit she witnessed as she prepared to hunker down in Orlando to wait out the hurricane. | Bell previously said she had been moved by the community spirit she witnessed as she prepared to hunker down in Orlando to wait out the hurricane. |
| She shared a photograph of herself at the supermarket stocking up on food and bottled water: | She shared a photograph of herself at the supermarket stocking up on food and bottled water: |
| Last run to the store for #irma hurricane holdover prep while bracing down in orlando- we didn't have the option to leave so here we are. Just doing our best and trying to stay positive but cautious, and trying to help those who need help prepping. Every person i passed today was assisting someone else- #neighborshelpingneighbors - it was beautiful to see. Sad that a hurricane has to bring out the best in everyone- but happy that the community will be holding hands through this. Im grateful to Gary and the team at @swandolphin in epcot for helping us feel safe while we get through this together. | Last run to the store for #irma hurricane holdover prep while bracing down in orlando- we didn't have the option to leave so here we are. Just doing our best and trying to stay positive but cautious, and trying to help those who need help prepping. Every person i passed today was assisting someone else- #neighborshelpingneighbors - it was beautiful to see. Sad that a hurricane has to bring out the best in everyone- but happy that the community will be holding hands through this. Im grateful to Gary and the team at @swandolphin in epcot for helping us feel safe while we get through this together. |
| A post shared by kristen bell (@kristenanniebell) on Sep 8, 2017 at 1:19pm PDT | A post shared by kristen bell (@kristenanniebell) on Sep 8, 2017 at 1:19pm PDT |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.10pm BST | at 12.10pm BST |
| 11.33am BST | 11.33am BST |
| 11:33 | 11:33 |
| Mattha Busby | Mattha Busby |
| Where would American disasters be without fake news circulating online? Hoax articles about Hurricane Irma are being pumped out by hastily created sites but, luckily, Snopes – a leading fact-checking site – has been assiduously debunking their false truths. | Where would American disasters be without fake news circulating online? Hoax articles about Hurricane Irma are being pumped out by hastily created sites but, luckily, Snopes – a leading fact-checking site – has been assiduously debunking their false truths. |
| One viral message claimed that the 2005 movie Category 7: The End of the World predicted the arrival of hurricanes named Harvey and Irma. However, according to Snopes, none of the storms or hurricanes in the movie are called Harvey or Irma. | One viral message claimed that the 2005 movie Category 7: The End of the World predicted the arrival of hurricanes named Harvey and Irma. However, according to Snopes, none of the storms or hurricanes in the movie are called Harvey or Irma. |
| “Atlantic hurricanes are named from a prescribed list of names that are rotated every six years and published in advance,” wrote Dan McGill. “So we already know the list of potential hurricane names for 2018, 2019, and every year for the foreseeable future, unless they are changed by the World Meteorological Association.” | “Atlantic hurricanes are named from a prescribed list of names that are rotated every six years and published in advance,” wrote Dan McGill. “So we already know the list of potential hurricane names for 2018, 2019, and every year for the foreseeable future, unless they are changed by the World Meteorological Association.” |
| Elsewhere, an aerial image of the hurricane accompanied by a news ticker purporting that the storm had airlifted several sharks went viral after someone created it on BreakYourOwnNews.com. | Elsewhere, an aerial image of the hurricane accompanied by a news ticker purporting that the storm had airlifted several sharks went viral after someone created it on BreakYourOwnNews.com. |
| Some of those who shared the post are likely to have been duped and Snopes confirmed that the hurricane is not, in fact, a sharknado. | Some of those who shared the post are likely to have been duped and Snopes confirmed that the hurricane is not, in fact, a sharknado. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.42am BST | at 11.42am BST |
| 11.26am BST | 11.26am BST |
| 11:26 | 11:26 |
| A British man and his family are “lucky to be alive” after they survived Hurricane Irma. | A British man and his family are “lucky to be alive” after they survived Hurricane Irma. |
| Brendan Joyce, his wife Sasha, her father and their children sheltered in his father-in-law’s house as the storm tore across Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. | Brendan Joyce, his wife Sasha, her father and their children sheltered in his father-in-law’s house as the storm tore across Tortola in the British Virgin Islands. |
| The adults lay on top of the children, aged two and four, to protect them as the winds battered the house. When they emerged, the other rooms had been swept away, with only the room they had sheltered in surviving. | The adults lay on top of the children, aged two and four, to protect them as the winds battered the house. When they emerged, the other rooms had been swept away, with only the room they had sheltered in surviving. |
| His sister Frances Joyce, from Glasgow, has spoken to him and said he is devastated by what has happened and worried for the future. | His sister Frances Joyce, from Glasgow, has spoken to him and said he is devastated by what has happened and worried for the future. |
| She said: | She said: |
| The first time he phoned, he phoned me in tears and said, ‘we’re alive, there’s nothing else.’ He is really worried about food and shelter, and worried about how it’s going to pan out. They have two little boys as well, so they are trying to keep them calm. | The first time he phoned, he phoned me in tears and said, ‘we’re alive, there’s nothing else.’ He is really worried about food and shelter, and worried about how it’s going to pan out. They have two little boys as well, so they are trying to keep them calm. |
| Back in Scotland we’re devastated as a family. We feel so helpless as we can’t do anything for them, they’re away over there. It’s amazing that they are alive. | Back in Scotland we’re devastated as a family. We feel so helpless as we can’t do anything for them, they’re away over there. It’s amazing that they are alive. |
| Joyce, 44, from Glasgow, has lived on the island for more than 10 years and works as a marina manager at Nanny Cay. His wife Sasha, 34, is from the island and his children Keiran, four, and Aiden, two, were born there. | Joyce, 44, from Glasgow, has lived on the island for more than 10 years and works as a marina manager at Nanny Cay. His wife Sasha, 34, is from the island and his children Keiran, four, and Aiden, two, were born there. |
| Sasha’s cousin Clare Parker, who lives in London, said: | Sasha’s cousin Clare Parker, who lives in London, said: |
| My aunt and uncle have lived in the British Virgin Islands for nearly 50 years and have survived many, many hurricanes, but they realised that this was a hugely significant one and took all the precautions. They shuttered up and took shelter in a back bedroom that’s the most secure. | My aunt and uncle have lived in the British Virgin Islands for nearly 50 years and have survived many, many hurricanes, but they realised that this was a hugely significant one and took all the precautions. They shuttered up and took shelter in a back bedroom that’s the most secure. |
| They were all in that room with the adults lying on top of the small children. When they came out, the eyewall of the tornado had ripped the concrete house apart. | They were all in that room with the adults lying on top of the small children. When they came out, the eyewall of the tornado had ripped the concrete house apart. |
| They walked out of there alive, which is miraculous and we are so grateful for it. They are feeling lucky to be alive. | They walked out of there alive, which is miraculous and we are so grateful for it. They are feeling lucky to be alive. |
| She said more aid was vital to help the people on the islands, with food and generators among the things needed. | She said more aid was vital to help the people on the islands, with food and generators among the things needed. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.19pm BST | at 12.19pm BST |
| 11.10am BST | 11.10am BST |
| 11:10 | 11:10 |
| Here’s more details on Hurricane Irma weakening to category 4 and the status on the other hurricanes in the area. | Here’s more details on Hurricane Irma weakening to category 4 and the status on the other hurricanes in the area. |
| Associated Press reports: | Associated Press reports: |
| The National Hurricane Center says Irma has weakened slightly to a category-4 hurricane, as it moves over the Camaguey Archipelago of Cuba. | The National Hurricane Center says Irma has weakened slightly to a category-4 hurricane, as it moves over the Camaguey Archipelago of Cuba. |
| Irma had briefly regained category-5 strength late on Friday, but now has maximum sustained winds of 155 mph (249 kph). The hurricane is about 245 miles from Miami and moving about 12 mph toward the west-northwest. | Irma had briefly regained category-5 strength late on Friday, but now has maximum sustained winds of 155 mph (249 kph). The hurricane is about 245 miles from Miami and moving about 12 mph toward the west-northwest. |
| In the Atlantic, Hurricane Jose is a category-4 hurricane, about 190 miles east-southeast of the Northern Leeward Islands, moving toward the islands at 13 mph with winds reaching 150 mph. | In the Atlantic, Hurricane Jose is a category-4 hurricane, about 190 miles east-southeast of the Northern Leeward Islands, moving toward the islands at 13 mph with winds reaching 150 mph. |
| In the Gulf of Mexico, Hurricane Katia made landfall late on Friday north of Tecolutla, Mexico and weakened to a tropical storm. By early Saturday morning it was 135 miles south of Tampico, Mexico, moving sluggishly at only 2 mph near the Sierra Madre mountains with maximum winds of 40 mph. It was expected to weaken further throughout the day. | In the Gulf of Mexico, Hurricane Katia made landfall late on Friday north of Tecolutla, Mexico and weakened to a tropical storm. By early Saturday morning it was 135 miles south of Tampico, Mexico, moving sluggishly at only 2 mph near the Sierra Madre mountains with maximum winds of 40 mph. It was expected to weaken further throughout the day. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 11.46am BST | at 11.46am BST |
| 11.07am BST | 11.07am BST |
| 11:07 | 11:07 |
| Universal Studios Florida has joined Disney World, Legoland and SeaWorld by shutting its doors as Irma heads for Florida. | Universal Studios Florida has joined Disney World, Legoland and SeaWorld by shutting its doors as Irma heads for Florida. |
| For your safety, please be aware of the following operational changes. For updates, visit us at https://t.co/v3P5FHfYsP pic.twitter.com/pkaCQcBiAr | For your safety, please be aware of the following operational changes. For updates, visit us at https://t.co/v3P5FHfYsP pic.twitter.com/pkaCQcBiAr |
| A statement from the theme park said they would close at 7pm UTC on Saturday. The statement continued: | A statement from the theme park said they would close at 7pm UTC on Saturday. The statement continued: |
| We will be fully closed on Sunday and Monday and we anticipate normal operating hours on Tuesday, Sept. 12. Our on-site hotels are currently at full capacity and will remain operational as they focus on taking care of our on-sire guests. | We will be fully closed on Sunday and Monday and we anticipate normal operating hours on Tuesday, Sept. 12. Our on-site hotels are currently at full capacity and will remain operational as they focus on taking care of our on-sire guests. |
| 10.49am BST | 10.49am BST |
| 10:49 | 10:49 |
| Sam Branson, son of Virgin billionaire Richard Branson, says he is heading to help those devastated by Hurricane Irma on the British Virgin Islands, where his family owns an island. | Sam Branson, son of Virgin billionaire Richard Branson, says he is heading to help those devastated by Hurricane Irma on the British Virgin Islands, where his family owns an island. |
| The Branson family was caught up in the hurricane and took refuge in the wine cellar under their house on Necker Island. | The Branson family was caught up in the hurricane and took refuge in the wine cellar under their house on Necker Island. |
| “Going to be harrowing to see my home and so many others beloved place so decimated but will do all I can to get aid to the people that need it most,” he says on a video posted to Instagram. | “Going to be harrowing to see my home and so many others beloved place so decimated but will do all I can to get aid to the people that need it most,” he says on a video posted to Instagram. |
| He has appealed on the popular social media platform for others to come help. “If you have boats, then please get them to the BVI,” he says. | He has appealed on the popular social media platform for others to come help. “If you have boats, then please get them to the BVI,” he says. |
| Spent the day organising mental logistics to get myself and what people need the most out to the #bvi. Going to do my best to help the people on the ground there. If you have boats then please get them to the BVI. Stock them with Tarpaulins, food, water, batteries, torches, clothes, water purification tablets and anything else you think might be useful. Thanks for all those that have helped me today. It been a big one. Going to be harrowing to see my home and so many others beloved place so decimated but will do all I can to get aid to the people that need it most! #hurricaneirma #hurricanejose #aid #support #logistics #love #food #water #clothes #help #boats | Spent the day organising mental logistics to get myself and what people need the most out to the #bvi. Going to do my best to help the people on the ground there. If you have boats then please get them to the BVI. Stock them with Tarpaulins, food, water, batteries, torches, clothes, water purification tablets and anything else you think might be useful. Thanks for all those that have helped me today. It been a big one. Going to be harrowing to see my home and so many others beloved place so decimated but will do all I can to get aid to the people that need it most! #hurricaneirma #hurricanejose #aid #support #logistics #love #food #water #clothes #help #boats |
| A post shared by Sam Branson (@bransonsam) on Sep 8, 2017 at 4:50pm PDT | A post shared by Sam Branson (@bransonsam) on Sep 8, 2017 at 4:50pm PDT |
| 10.39am BST | 10.39am BST |
| 10:39 | 10:39 |
| Phil Maynard | 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? | 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 | 10.34am BST |
| 10:34 | 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. | 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. | 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: | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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. | 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 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. | 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. | 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 | Updated |
| at 10.41am BST | at 10.41am BST |