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Hurricane Irma: millions brace for impact as superstorm reaches Florida – live Hurricane Irma: a million homes lose power as storm makes landfall in Florida – live
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The Miami Herald has spoken with Larry Kahn, an editor for FLKeysNews.com, who is at one of the “last resort” shelters, Marathon High School, on the central island city of Marathon.
About 50 people are at the school, which has lost power and running water, Kahn said, and the ocean is surging everywhere.
“Everything is underwater. I mean everything,” Kahn said. A sheriff’s deputy told the editor “everyone could be in this building for days,” Kahn said.
“Everyone here seems to be just walking around in a fog.”
You can read the full story here.
The National Weather Service has just reported that the storm is moving away from the lower Keys now, toward the mainland.
92 mph (80 knot) wind gust measured by the c-man station on Molasses Reef Light at 9:00 AM EDT.
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Florida Power & Light has announced that more than one million homes have lost power across south Florida, as the winds are picking up on the mainland.
The Miami International airport just reported a 82mph gust: the sustained winds are not yet as intense as on the Keys, but causing dangerous conditions across the state. Palm Beach County has been sending tornado warnings throughout the night, including a new one a few moments ago.
Tornado warning for Palm Beach Gardens, Riviera Beach and North Palm Beach. Storm is moving NW at 65mph pic.twitter.com/pCiCfhH5aJ
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Irma makes landfallIrma makes landfall
The storm has made landfall at Cudjoe Key, toward the bottom of the archipelago and about 20 miles east of Key West, at 9.10am, according to the National Weather Service.The storm has made landfall at Cudjoe Key, toward the bottom of the archipelago and about 20 miles east of Key West, at 9.10am, according to the National Weather Service.
For hours, waters have been rushing up overland on the islands and then sweeping out again. Many roads are completely impassable, and the worst surges have yet to come in the wake of the winds.For hours, waters have been rushing up overland on the islands and then sweeping out again. Many roads are completely impassable, and the worst surges have yet to come in the wake of the winds.
In Miami, the winds are picking up and downing trees, street signs and power lines.In Miami, the winds are picking up and downing trees, street signs and power lines.
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Irma's eye reaches the KeysIrma's eye reaches the Keys
The lower islands of the Florida Keys are now inside the center of the storm, the National Hurricane Center reports. The storm had sustained winds of 130mph at 9am local time.The lower islands of the Florida Keys are now inside the center of the storm, the National Hurricane Center reports. The storm had sustained winds of 130mph at 9am local time.
Shortly before the hour, the National Weather Service station on Key West reported sustained winds of 71mph and gusts up to 90mph. Shortly afterward, the station reported a wind gust of 106mph on Big Pine Key.Shortly before the hour, the National Weather Service station on Key West reported sustained winds of 71mph and gusts up to 90mph. Shortly afterward, the station reported a wind gust of 106mph on Big Pine Key.
Big Pine Key, Summerland Key and Cudjoe Key in the eye of Hurricane #Irma. Do not venture outside https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb @NWS @NOAA pic.twitter.com/0qlPQqG7ZiBig Pine Key, Summerland Key and Cudjoe Key in the eye of Hurricane #Irma. Do not venture outside https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb @NWS @NOAA pic.twitter.com/0qlPQqG7Zi
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Donald Trump has approved disaster relief funds for Puerto Rico, the US territory that suffered a brush with hurricane Irma only a few days ago.Donald Trump has approved disaster relief funds for Puerto Rico, the US territory that suffered a brush with hurricane Irma only a few days ago.
High winds there toppled trees and power lines, and tens of thousands of people lost power and access to safe water. The president’s disaster declaration makes funding available to people in Culebra, Vieques, and local government and NGO programs.High winds there toppled trees and power lines, and tens of thousands of people lost power and access to safe water. The president’s disaster declaration makes funding available to people in Culebra, Vieques, and local government and NGO programs.
“Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover,” the White House statement reads.“Assistance can include grants for temporary housing and home repairs, low-cost loans to cover uninsured property losses, and other programs to help individuals and business owners recover,” the White House statement reads.
In Miami-Dade County up through Palm Beach County, on Florida’s east coast, there are intermittent gusts of 80mph wind, as well as streaky periods of intense rain, growing more common.In Miami-Dade County up through Palm Beach County, on Florida’s east coast, there are intermittent gusts of 80mph wind, as well as streaky periods of intense rain, growing more common.
On the Florida Keys, the storm is pushing the ocean over roads.On the Florida Keys, the storm is pushing the ocean over roads.
8:39am North bound lane of US 1 is impassible. South bound lane remains relatively clear. #HurricaneIrma pic.twitter.com/yih5hvS2RJ8:39am North bound lane of US 1 is impassible. South bound lane remains relatively clear. #HurricaneIrma pic.twitter.com/yih5hvS2RJ
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Welcome to our ongoing live coverage of Hurricane Irma, the eye of which this morning made landfall over the Florida Keys after wreaking havoc and causing more than 20 deaths in its drive across the Caribbean.Welcome to our ongoing live coverage of Hurricane Irma, the eye of which this morning made landfall over the Florida Keys after wreaking havoc and causing more than 20 deaths in its drive across the Caribbean.
The US National Weather Service issued this warning for anyone left on the island chain:The US National Weather Service issued this warning for anyone left on the island chain:
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.
The US National Hurricane Center said in an early morning advisory that the storm was moving north-northwest at 8mph, which suggests a long day ahead. Hundreds of thousands of people are without power and millions have taken authorities’ strenuous advice and evacuated from the path of the storm, which is expected to hit the west of the state hardest.The US National Hurricane Center said in an early morning advisory that the storm was moving north-northwest at 8mph, which suggests a long day ahead. Hundreds of thousands of people are without power and millions have taken authorities’ strenuous advice and evacuated from the path of the storm, which is expected to hit the west of the state hardest.
The Associated Press reports:The Associated Press reports:
The National Weather Service in Miami has issued tornado warnings for a wide swath of Monroe, Miami-Dade and Broward counties in South Florida. Officials say the band of rain and tornado producing cells is moving quickly. There have been no reports of tornadoes touching down.The National Weather Service in Miami has issued tornado warnings for a wide swath of Monroe, Miami-Dade and Broward counties in South Florida. Officials say the band of rain and tornado producing cells is moving quickly. There have been no reports of tornadoes touching down.
Our correspondents in Florida – Ed Pilkington in Naples, Richard Luscombe in Miami and Jessica Glenza in St Petersburg – are like all others still in the state hunkering down in safety, waiting for winds to ease and flooding dangers to subside.Our correspondents in Florida – Ed Pilkington in Naples, Richard Luscombe in Miami and Jessica Glenza in St Petersburg – are like all others still in the state hunkering down in safety, waiting for winds to ease and flooding dangers to subside.
Ed’s piece on Miami’s preparation for the storm, here, is a fascinating and worrying look at the divide between rich and poor in the city when it comes to preparing for and facing up to disaster. It now seems the city will not be hit by the worst of Irma, but as the AP report above says, it will still take a severe battering.Ed’s piece on Miami’s preparation for the storm, here, is a fascinating and worrying look at the divide between rich and poor in the city when it comes to preparing for and facing up to disaster. It now seems the city will not be hit by the worst of Irma, but as the AP report above says, it will still take a severe battering.
Here’s more of our latest Irma coverage:Here’s more of our latest Irma coverage:
Florida facing its ‘most catastrophic’ storm ever, as Irma arrivesFlorida facing its ‘most catastrophic’ storm ever, as Irma arrives
Havana flooded and 5,000 tourists evacuated from coast as Irma hits CubaHavana flooded and 5,000 tourists evacuated from coast as Irma hits Cuba
Hurricane Irma: survivors tell of ‘utter devastation’ on Caribbean islandsHurricane Irma: survivors tell of ‘utter devastation’ on Caribbean islands
Analysis: Irma and Harvey lay the costs of climate change denial at Trump’s doorAnalysis: Irma and Harvey lay the costs of climate change denial at Trump’s door
There is also another big hurricane out there, Jose. Here’s our report:There is also another big hurricane out there, Jose. Here’s our report:
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