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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)
6.41am BST
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If you’re just waking up in the UK/European time zone and want to catch up on the lastest, we have just updated our news report on the progress of Irma over the Florida peninsula and the clean-up operation in the Caribbean.
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Check out this video of the storm as it crashed into Florida on Sunday.Check out this video of the storm as it crashed into Florida on Sunday.
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Irma 'lashing central Florida' – USNHCIrma 'lashing central Florida' – USNHC
The storm is moving northwards between Lakeland and Tampa, according to the latest update from the hurricane centre, “lashing” central Florida as it goes.The storm is moving northwards between Lakeland and Tampa, according to the latest update from the hurricane centre, “lashing” central Florida as it goes.
The update gives the location of the centre of the storm as right here, indicating that it has veered north-northwest in the past hour as forecast earlier.The update gives the location of the centre of the storm as right here, indicating that it has veered north-northwest in the past hour as forecast earlier.
Our reporter Jessica Glenza is in St Petersburg and says that although the strength of the storm has dropped to category 2 the threat from storm surges remains. She says the critical point at St Petersburg could come at 5.30am at high itde.Our reporter Jessica Glenza is in St Petersburg and says that although the strength of the storm has dropped to category 2 the threat from storm surges remains. She says the critical point at St Petersburg could come at 5.30am at high itde.
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Irma raked the northern coast of Cuba on Saturday night, early Sunday, causing flooding and widespread damage.Irma raked the northern coast of Cuba on Saturday night, early Sunday, causing flooding and widespread damage.
But that doesn’t seem to have dampened the party spirit of thousands of holidaymakers caught up in the drama, according to AP in the resort town of Varadero.But that doesn’t seem to have dampened the party spirit of thousands of holidaymakers caught up in the drama, according to AP in the resort town of Varadero.
AP reports:AP reports:
British visitor Josephine Breslin, 49, spent the night on an inflatable bed in a hotel bathroom when Irma’s 120mph (195km) winds walloped Cuba’s top beach destination, but after helping sweep up on Sunday morning, she felt ready to start relaxing.British visitor Josephine Breslin, 49, spent the night on an inflatable bed in a hotel bathroom when Irma’s 120mph (195km) winds walloped Cuba’s top beach destination, but after helping sweep up on Sunday morning, she felt ready to start relaxing.
“I think the atmosphere now is relief, knowing it is past and the building is still there and everyone is OK.“I think the atmosphere now is relief, knowing it is past and the building is still there and everyone is OK.
“You can feel people are settling down, the winds are going, the sun is coming out, its business as usual, Cuban rum – yes please!”“You can feel people are settling down, the winds are going, the sun is coming out, its business as usual, Cuban rum – yes please!”
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Back in the Caribbean and French president Emmanuel Macron will visit the territory of St Martin on Tuesday to inspect the damage caused by Irma.Back in the Caribbean and French president Emmanuel Macron will visit the territory of St Martin on Tuesday to inspect the damage caused by Irma.
Je serai mardi à Saint-Martin et Saint-Barthélemy aux côtés de nos compatriotes sinistrés et des services mobilisés.Je serai mardi à Saint-Martin et Saint-Barthélemy aux côtés de nos compatriotes sinistrés et des services mobilisés.
Does this mean that British prime minister Theresa May will be under pressure to visit the British territories affected? People there think the government could be doing more, so if she does decide to go it might be interesting. When she visited the scene of the Grenfell Tower fire in June she was heckled by residents furious at what they saw as government complacency.Does this mean that British prime minister Theresa May will be under pressure to visit the British territories affected? People there think the government could be doing more, so if she does decide to go it might be interesting. When she visited the scene of the Grenfell Tower fire in June she was heckled by residents furious at what they saw as government complacency.
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The financial markets in Asia have brushed aside any concerns about a possible drag on the US economy from the superstorm. Estimates reckon that the storm could cost $300bn in cleanup and insurance claims, and also impact US food prices because of Florida’s position as the second-largest produce grower in the US and the world’s second-largest producer of orange juice.The financial markets in Asia have brushed aside any concerns about a possible drag on the US economy from the superstorm. Estimates reckon that the storm could cost $300bn in cleanup and insurance claims, and also impact US food prices because of Florida’s position as the second-largest produce grower in the US and the world’s second-largest producer of orange juice.
Anyway, investors don’t seem too bothered. The Nikkei in Japan has surged 1.4% helped by a stronger dollar and the absence of another nuclear test by North Korea. The ASX200 in Sydney is up 0.8% and the Hang Seng 0.9%. The Kospi in Seoul added 0.8% as well.Anyway, investors don’t seem too bothered. The Nikkei in Japan has surged 1.4% helped by a stronger dollar and the absence of another nuclear test by North Korea. The ASX200 in Sydney is up 0.8% and the Hang Seng 0.9%. The Kospi in Seoul added 0.8% as well.
Lee Kyung-min, a stock analyst at Daishin Securities in Seoul, told Reuters:Lee Kyung-min, a stock analyst at Daishin Securities in Seoul, told Reuters:
It’s too early to say the risks are gone, but one thing for sure is that market players now think the situation won’t get worse as it did some weeks ago.It’s too early to say the risks are gone, but one thing for sure is that market players now think the situation won’t get worse as it did some weeks ago.
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I’ve managed to get clarification from American Airlines about flights out of Miami. The company has confirmed that IT WILL NOT resume flights until Tuesday at the earliest. It earlier said it was resuming some on Monday eveningbut this was contradicted by the airport which said it would be closed until Tuesday. See this blogpost.I’ve managed to get clarification from American Airlines about flights out of Miami. The company has confirmed that IT WILL NOT resume flights until Tuesday at the earliest. It earlier said it was resuming some on Monday eveningbut this was contradicted by the airport which said it would be closed until Tuesday. See this blogpost.
Here’s what the airline told me:Here’s what the airline told me:
The Miami-Dade Aviation Department has announced that Miami International Airport (MIA) will remain closed until Tuesday, Sept. 12. American now plans to resume limited operations when the airport reopens.The Miami-Dade Aviation Department has announced that Miami International Airport (MIA) will remain closed until Tuesday, Sept. 12. American now plans to resume limited operations when the airport reopens.
Resumption of service at airports will be based on airport and roadway conditions, including the ability of our team members to get to work. We are also coordinating closely with our partners at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). These three agencies must conduct their own assessment of their operations prior to any airline resuming service.Resumption of service at airports will be based on airport and roadway conditions, including the ability of our team members to get to work. We are also coordinating closely with our partners at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). These three agencies must conduct their own assessment of their operations prior to any airline resuming service.
Glad to clear that up and thanks @AmericanAirGlad to clear that up and thanks @AmericanAir
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The cleanup operation is under way across the Caribbean. One organisation that is trying to help is the Humanitarian Open Street Map Team which compiles open sourced maps of disaster zones. So far they’ve mapped 150,000 homes affected by the storm and their information is being used by The Dutch red Cross and Map Action to determine what needs to be done. They’re lso on the case for the Mexican earthquake and Bangladesh floods.The cleanup operation is under way across the Caribbean. One organisation that is trying to help is the Humanitarian Open Street Map Team which compiles open sourced maps of disaster zones. So far they’ve mapped 150,000 homes affected by the storm and their information is being used by The Dutch red Cross and Map Action to determine what needs to be done. They’re lso on the case for the Mexican earthquake and Bangladesh floods.
You can find out more at their website here if you want to get involved. And they’re at @hotosmYou can find out more at their website here if you want to get involved. And they’re at @hotosm
Your response to the #hurricaneirma activation has been amazing: 300k maps edits!Keep the momentum going: https://t.co/29x73Vn1OT pic.twitter.com/wj46tYuI96Your response to the #hurricaneirma activation has been amazing: 300k maps edits!Keep the momentum going: https://t.co/29x73Vn1OT pic.twitter.com/wj46tYuI96
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A little something to warm your heart. The actor Kirsten Bell, who was the voice star of Frozen, is sitting out the storm in Orlando and has visted a refuge centre to sing for the kids stuck there.A little something to warm your heart. The actor Kirsten Bell, who was the voice star of Frozen, is sitting out the storm in Orlando and has visted a refuge centre to sing for the kids stuck there.
Here she is. For those of you not familiar with her oeuvre, I’ve done the hard Googling for you and this one’s called Do You Want To Build A Snowman?Here she is. For those of you not familiar with her oeuvre, I’ve done the hard Googling for you and this one’s called Do You Want To Build A Snowman?
Amazing, Frozen's @IMKristenBell stuck in Orlando due to #Irma, visits local shelter to sing for kids riding out the storm inside pic.twitter.com/iB6FIYp4CsAmazing, Frozen's @IMKristenBell stuck in Orlando due to #Irma, visits local shelter to sing for kids riding out the storm inside pic.twitter.com/iB6FIYp4Cs
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3.3m homes and businesses without power in Florida
The storm is going to change course to north-northwest during the night, the USNHC has said. It’s currently just north of Arcadia at this grid reference so that change will push it towards St Petersburg/Tampa.The storm is going to change course to north-northwest during the night, the USNHC has said. It’s currently just north of Arcadia at this grid reference so that change will push it towards St Petersburg/Tampa.
It also said Irma was producing widespread damaging winds across much of Florida. Important to remember though that the storm has been downgraded to category 2 with less powerful winds than had been feared 24 hours ago.It also said Irma was producing widespread damaging winds across much of Florida. Important to remember though that the storm has been downgraded to category 2 with less powerful winds than had been feared 24 hours ago.
And just as a warning to you if you’re in that part of Florida, our reporter Jessica Glenza @JessicaGlenza is in St Petersburg and told us a short while ago that she was losing reception on her cell phone.And just as a warning to you if you’re in that part of Florida, our reporter Jessica Glenza @JessicaGlenza is in St Petersburg and told us a short while ago that she was losing reception on her cell phone.
More than 3.3m homes and businesses have lost power in the state. Florida Power & Light, the state’s largest electric utility, said there were nearly 1m customers without power in Miami-Dade County alone.More than 3.3m homes and businesses have lost power in the state. Florida Power & Light, the state’s largest electric utility, said there were nearly 1m customers without power in Miami-Dade County alone.
Looks like it’s just gone in Palm Harbor, just north of Tampa.Looks like it’s just gone in Palm Harbor, just north of Tampa.
We just lost power in Palm Harbor #IrmaWe just lost power in Palm Harbor #Irma
Updated
at 7.00am BST
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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.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 ASAPJust got report @HialeahHospital has less than 2 hours of diesel left to run generator. They need diesel or @insideFPL restoration ASAP
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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.
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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.