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Hurricane Irma: storm moves towards Tampa with risk of life-threatening surges – live Hurricane Irma: storm moves towards Tampa with risk of life-threatening surges – live
(35 minutes later)
3.15am BST
03:15
Florida senator Marco Rubio has tweeted that Hialeah hospital in Miami has only two hours of diesel left for its generator. He has appealed for help or for Florida Power and Light to restore power as soon as possible to the 378-bed acute hospital.
Just got report @HialeahHospital has less than 2 hours of diesel left to run generator. They need diesel or @insideFPL restoration ASAP
2.40am BST2.40am BST
02:4002:40
Hmm. This is confusing. No sooner had Reuters said that American will resume some flights out of Miami International on Monday than Associated Press says the airport will remain closed on Monday. Tweet seems clear enough. I’ve contacted the airline for clarity.Hmm. This is confusing. No sooner had Reuters said that American will resume some flights out of Miami International on Monday than Associated Press says the airport will remain closed on Monday. Tweet seems clear enough. I’ve contacted the airline for clarity.
MIA will be closed Monday, September 11 and will begin operations with limited schedules on Tuesday, September 12. Updates as available.MIA will be closed Monday, September 11 and will begin operations with limited schedules on Tuesday, September 12. Updates as available.
2.30am BST2.30am BST
02:3002:30
American Airlines will resume limited flights from Miami International on Monday, the company said on Sunday, according to Reuters.American Airlines will resume limited flights from Miami International on Monday, the company said on Sunday, according to Reuters.
It cancelled all flights at the airport on Friday evening in anticipation of Hurricane Irma, along with flights at three other south Florida airports. All American flights remain canceled until at least Monday at 12 other Florida airports, as well as Hilton Head, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia.It cancelled all flights at the airport on Friday evening in anticipation of Hurricane Irma, along with flights at three other south Florida airports. All American flights remain canceled until at least Monday at 12 other Florida airports, as well as Hilton Head, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia.
2.23am BST2.23am BST
02:2302:23
'Critical' situation in British Virgin Islands – premier'Critical' situation in British Virgin Islands – premier
While the blog has focused on Florida, we mustn’t forget that Irma has left a huge trail of destruction throughout the Caribbean.While the blog has focused on Florida, we mustn’t forget that Irma has left a huge trail of destruction throughout the Caribbean.
One of the worst-affected places has been the British Virgin Islands where the storm struck on Wednesday, tearing down houses and killing at least five people.One of the worst-affected places has been the British Virgin Islands where the storm struck on Wednesday, tearing down houses and killing at least five people.
The premier of the islands, Orlando Smith, has called for the UK to provide long-term support in the wake of Hurricane Irma.The premier of the islands, Orlando Smith, has called for the UK to provide long-term support in the wake of Hurricane Irma.
“We are a resilient people but this has shaken us to our core,” Smith said and called the situation on the islands “critical”.“We are a resilient people but this has shaken us to our core,” Smith said and called the situation on the islands “critical”.
British troops have been deployed to the area, with the Royal Navy delivering medical supplies, including vaccines, by helicopter.British troops have been deployed to the area, with the Royal Navy delivering medical supplies, including vaccines, by helicopter.
“A comprehensive economic package for reconstruction backed by the UK Government will be needed over the long-term in order to return to normalcy,” he said.“A comprehensive economic package for reconstruction backed by the UK Government will be needed over the long-term in order to return to normalcy,” he said.
1.49am BST1.49am BST
01:4901:49
On a more cheerful note, two manatees stranded when Irma sucked the water out of Sarasota Bay were rescued by county deputies using tarps to drag them out into deeper water.On a more cheerful note, two manatees stranded when Irma sucked the water out of Sarasota Bay were rescued by county deputies using tarps to drag them out into deeper water.
Manatees rescued after being stranded by low tide in central Florida due to Hurricane Irma https://t.co/FBEmYq25ipManatees rescued after being stranded by low tide in central Florida due to Hurricane Irma https://t.co/FBEmYq25ip
Several people posted photos of the mammals on Facebook Sunday, hoping rescue workers or wildlife officials would respond. Michael Sechler posted that the animals were far too massive to be lifted, so they gave them water.Several people posted photos of the mammals on Facebook Sunday, hoping rescue workers or wildlife officials would respond. Michael Sechler posted that the animals were far too massive to be lifted, so they gave them water.
My favourite fact about this story is that it all went down in Manatee County.My favourite fact about this story is that it all went down in Manatee County.
You can watch a video of the animals being rescued here, courtesy of NECN news.You can watch a video of the animals being rescued here, courtesy of NECN news.
______
1.39am BST1.39am BST
01:3901:39
The latest USNHC forecast repeats the warnings about dangerous storm surges along the coast. Despite the ferocious winds and rain, the surges appear to be Irma’s biggest threat to human life and buildings.The latest USNHC forecast repeats the warnings about dangerous storm surges along the coast. Despite the ferocious winds and rain, the surges appear to be Irma’s biggest threat to human life and buildings.
The USNHC warns that the surge of water from Cape Sable in the south to Captiva west of Fort Myers could be as high as 15ft (4.5m) above ground if it coincides with the high tide. As Governor Scott said yesterday, that could cover your house.The USNHC warns that the surge of water from Cape Sable in the south to Captiva west of Fort Myers could be as high as 15ft (4.5m) above ground if it coincides with the high tide. As Governor Scott said yesterday, that could cover your house.
In the stretch of coast from Captiva to Anna Maria Island near St Petersburg, the water could rise up to 10ft above ground level.In the stretch of coast from Captiva to Anna Maria Island near St Petersburg, the water could rise up to 10ft above ground level.
The USNHC – again – has a very good explainer about how storm surges form with sea water being driven towards the shore by the hurricane’s winds.The USNHC – again – has a very good explainer about how storm surges form with sea water being driven towards the shore by the hurricane’s winds.
1.19am BST1.19am BST
01:1901:19
There are various ways of tracking the path of Irma. It’s now passing over Fort Myers – where it looks very, very windy – and heading north up the coast.There are various ways of tracking the path of Irma. It’s now passing over Fort Myers – where it looks very, very windy – and heading north up the coast.
The hurricane centre folks say the storm is travelling at 14 miles an hour at the current time, with sustained winds of 105mph. Based on that it will reach the bigger cities of St Petersburg and Tampa at around 4am EDT if it continues on the same forecast path and at the same speed. More than 500,000 people live in those two cities.The hurricane centre folks say the storm is travelling at 14 miles an hour at the current time, with sustained winds of 105mph. Based on that it will reach the bigger cities of St Petersburg and Tampa at around 4am EDT if it continues on the same forecast path and at the same speed. More than 500,000 people live in those two cities.
12.50am BST12.50am BST
00:5000:50
Thanks to those of you getting in touch and following the blog. The excellent US national weather service website has a lot of graphics and maps showing the forecasts for flooding in Florida. This is a screengrab from the site and shows that there could be up to 6ft of water in Naples.Thanks to those of you getting in touch and following the blog. The excellent US national weather service website has a lot of graphics and maps showing the forecasts for flooding in Florida. This is a screengrab from the site and shows that there could be up to 6ft of water in Naples.
(I should add that it also shows a lot of other things, including forecasts for rainfall, temperatures and wind speeds.)(I should add that it also shows a lot of other things, including forecasts for rainfall, temperatures and wind speeds.)
UpdatedUpdated
at 12.53am BSTat 12.53am BST
12.20am BST12.20am BST
00:2000:20
Eyewall hammering Fort Myers – USNHCEyewall hammering Fort Myers – USNHC
The eyewall of the storm is “hammering” Fort Myers on the west coast of Florida, the national hurricane centre has announced, and that Irma is still at the top end of category 2 intensity with winds of 110mph (177kmh).The eyewall of the storm is “hammering” Fort Myers on the west coast of Florida, the national hurricane centre has announced, and that Irma is still at the top end of category 2 intensity with winds of 110mph (177kmh).
Water levels in Naples were at 3.9ft (1.18m) at 7pm EDT.Water levels in Naples were at 3.9ft (1.18m) at 7pm EDT.
If you’d like to get in touch, you can email me at martin.farrer@theguardian.com or find me on Twitter @MartinFarrerIf you’d like to get in touch, you can email me at martin.farrer@theguardian.com or find me on Twitter @MartinFarrer
12.03am BST12.03am BST
00:0300:03
This is Martin Farrer taking over our ongoing coverage of Hurricane Irma as it continues its furious progress up the west coast of Florida.This is Martin Farrer taking over our ongoing coverage of Hurricane Irma as it continues its furious progress up the west coast of Florida.
Just to get started, this is a very useful tweet from those helpful Nasa people showing the path taken by Irma in the last 48 hours or so.Just to get started, this is a very useful tweet from those helpful Nasa people showing the path taken by Irma in the last 48 hours or so.
Evolution of Hurricane #Irma over the last 48 hours. #GOES16 infrared imagery. pic.twitter.com/VmLtkmdnNHEvolution of Hurricane #Irma over the last 48 hours. #GOES16 infrared imagery. pic.twitter.com/VmLtkmdnNH
11.32pm BST11.32pm BST
23:3223:32
Irma so far and what's nextIrma so far and what's next
Hurricane Irma will bear down on Fort Myers, north of Naples, within the hour as a category two storm, with sustained winds of 110mph. Storm surges have begun in and around Naples, with waters rising more than four feet in less than an hour and forecasts predicting as much as 10-15ft above ground level.Hurricane Irma will bear down on Fort Myers, north of Naples, within the hour as a category two storm, with sustained winds of 110mph. Storm surges have begun in and around Naples, with waters rising more than four feet in less than an hour and forecasts predicting as much as 10-15ft above ground level.
Hurricane Irma made landfall at Cudjoe Key at 9.10am, with sustained winds of 130mph. Massive storm surges, estimated at 10ft or higher, inundated buildings, overwhelmed roads and cut off the Keys from mainland Florida.Hurricane Irma made landfall at Cudjoe Key at 9.10am, with sustained winds of 130mph. Massive storm surges, estimated at 10ft or higher, inundated buildings, overwhelmed roads and cut off the Keys from mainland Florida.
Parts of downtown Miami flooded with rainwater and storm surges several feet deep, and tornadoes swept across swaths of south-eastern Florida. Winds toppled two construction cranes in downtown Miami, and all around south Florida brought down trees, live power lines, and street signs.Parts of downtown Miami flooded with rainwater and storm surges several feet deep, and tornadoes swept across swaths of south-eastern Florida. Winds toppled two construction cranes in downtown Miami, and all around south Florida brought down trees, live power lines, and street signs.
The storm then swept along the south-western coast line before making landfall again at Marco Island and Naples, at 3.35pm, as a category three storm, with sustained winds of 120mph, blinding walls of rain, and gusts as strong as 140mph. As it approached Naples, the storm’s winds temporarily drained Tampa Bay, raising fears that the weakened hurricane would still wallop cities with surges.The storm then swept along the south-western coast line before making landfall again at Marco Island and Naples, at 3.35pm, as a category three storm, with sustained winds of 120mph, blinding walls of rain, and gusts as strong as 140mph. As it approached Naples, the storm’s winds temporarily drained Tampa Bay, raising fears that the weakened hurricane would still wallop cities with surges.
More than 2.7 million people have lost power, and more than 70,000 are in shelters, not including police, national guard emergency personnel. About 6.5 million people were ordered to evacuate coastal areas all around the state, roughly a third of the state’s entire population. Officials will not know the scope of the damage for at least another day, and urged people not to go outside, where debris, contaminated water, and live electrical lines remain life-threatening hazards.More than 2.7 million people have lost power, and more than 70,000 are in shelters, not including police, national guard emergency personnel. About 6.5 million people were ordered to evacuate coastal areas all around the state, roughly a third of the state’s entire population. Officials will not know the scope of the damage for at least another day, and urged people not to go outside, where debris, contaminated water, and live electrical lines remain life-threatening hazards.
Governor Rick Scott warned that south-west Florida could see storm surges of 10-15ft above ground – waves as tall as a one-storey home, able to carry off people, cars, and mobile homes. Tampa should expect surges as large as five feet, and south-eastern Florida surges of three to six feet, high enough to float cars or envelop a person.Governor Rick Scott warned that south-west Florida could see storm surges of 10-15ft above ground – waves as tall as a one-storey home, able to carry off people, cars, and mobile homes. Tampa should expect surges as large as five feet, and south-eastern Florida surges of three to six feet, high enough to float cars or envelop a person.
At least 25 confirmed were dead around the Caribbean, including 11 on French St Martin, the US and British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Dutch St Maarten, Barbuda, and Anguilla. Survivors and relief workers who stepped out into towns of northern Cuba, the British Virgin Islands, Barbuda and other islands found whole homes and businesses gutted by the wind and water.At least 25 confirmed were dead around the Caribbean, including 11 on French St Martin, the US and British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Dutch St Maarten, Barbuda, and Anguilla. Survivors and relief workers who stepped out into towns of northern Cuba, the British Virgin Islands, Barbuda and other islands found whole homes and businesses gutted by the wind and water.
Hurricane Jose, also a category four storm, has shifted northward, creating hope in the eastern Caribbean that survivors might be spared a second hurricane in five days.Hurricane Jose, also a category four storm, has shifted northward, creating hope in the eastern Caribbean that survivors might be spared a second hurricane in five days.
UpdatedUpdated
at 11.37pm BSTat 11.37pm BST
11.27pm BST11.27pm BST
23:2723:27
Ed PilkingtonEd Pilkington
I began today with two billboards outside the evacuated hotel I’m sheltering in in Naples, Florida.I began today with two billboards outside the evacuated hotel I’m sheltering in in Naples, Florida.
By lunchtime the left-hand billboard had been scrunched up by Irma into a knot of twisted steel. And now the Budweiser billboard beside it has succumbed too, crumpled in a second heap of metal.By lunchtime the left-hand billboard had been scrunched up by Irma into a knot of twisted steel. And now the Budweiser billboard beside it has succumbed too, crumpled in a second heap of metal.
11.22pm BST11.22pm BST
23:2223:22
Irma’s powerful storm surges are rushing onto Marco Island in the wake of the hurricane’s eye and winds. Police are among the few people who seem to have stayed on the island.Irma’s powerful storm surges are rushing onto Marco Island in the wake of the hurricane’s eye and winds. Police are among the few people who seem to have stayed on the island.
San Marco Rd now pic.twitter.com/o92LaB850eSan Marco Rd now pic.twitter.com/o92LaB850e