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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2017/sep/10/hurricane-irma-millions-brace-for-impact-as-superstorm-reaches-florida-live
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| Version 40 | Version 41 |
|---|---|
| Hurricane Irma: 10 dead in Cuba as record flooding hits northern Florida – latest | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| 1.41pm BST | |
| 13:41 | |
| 10 killed in Cuba | |
| The Cuban government says 10 people have been killed by Hurricane Irma, according to a snap on Reuters. | |
| JUST IN: Cuban government says 10 people killed by Hurricane Irma https://t.co/fw34rRkMST pic.twitter.com/3Mtgc0MGEb | |
| Updated | |
| at 1.41pm BST | |
| 1.40pm BST | |
| 13:40 | |
| Highway patrol police in Orlando have urged sightseers to stay at home. They stress that roads remain dangerous because of fallen power lines. | |
| If you are out to look around you are intentionally putting first responders at risk. Stay home and be smart https://t.co/DTPQJyNDvV | |
| We are stopping too many people that simply say they are sight seeing. This is NOT a time for this. GO HOME & STAY HOME. We are not joking | |
| This is exactly the reason why @FhpOrlando does not want anyone on the roads & why @OrangeCoFL still has curfew @news6wkmg #HurricaneIrma pic.twitter.com/Xk7NqFdwun | |
| 1.31pm BST | |
| 13:31 | |
| Rising waters have been flooding homes and offices and topping the harbour in Jacksonville, north-east Florida where a flood alert is still in force. | |
| About 2 to 3 feet of standing water near the Jacksonville Landing, @SunTrust & @WellsFargo building. @ActionNewsJax pic.twitter.com/IafzD3hHcH | |
| St. John's river pushes into homes near St Vincent's. #Irma @ActionNewsJax @MikeFirstAlert pic.twitter.com/nfQWgLCtPt | |
| Downtown Jacksonville, not even high tide yet. #irma #Jacksonville pic.twitter.com/6gTkzPBW3M | |
| 1.23pm BST | 1.23pm BST |
| 13:23 | 13:23 |
| Much better news on the Hurricane Jose front. It is weakening and forecasters from the Antigua Met Service now reckon it won’t hit land for up to five days. | Much better news on the Hurricane Jose front. It is weakening and forecasters from the Antigua Met Service now reckon it won’t hit land for up to five days. |
| #H_Jose to make a loop near the #Bahamas but stay clear of any land mass for, at least, the next 5 dayshttps://t.co/V2qJejCUyO pic.twitter.com/DIUKVhwDfv | #H_Jose to make a loop near the #Bahamas but stay clear of any land mass for, at least, the next 5 dayshttps://t.co/V2qJejCUyO pic.twitter.com/DIUKVhwDfv |
| Hurricane #Jose expected to stay located east of the Bahamas for some days whilst moving in a slow clockwise loop. pic.twitter.com/eFddn8cXIP | Hurricane #Jose expected to stay located east of the Bahamas for some days whilst moving in a slow clockwise loop. pic.twitter.com/eFddn8cXIP |
| According to the latest update from the US National Hurricane Centre Jose now has sustained wind speeds of 105mp, which means it has weakened from a category 3 to a category 2 storm. | According to the latest update from the US National Hurricane Centre Jose now has sustained wind speeds of 105mp, which means it has weakened from a category 3 to a category 2 storm. |
| 1.11pm BST | 1.11pm BST |
| 13:11 | 13:11 |
| Irma now a tropical storm | Irma now a tropical storm |
| As it predicted the National Hurricane Center has downgraded Irma to a tropical storm, but it is still producing hurricane force gusts. Irma’s sustained wind speeds are now 70mph (down from 185mph battering the Caribbean last week). | As it predicted the National Hurricane Center has downgraded Irma to a tropical storm, but it is still producing hurricane force gusts. Irma’s sustained wind speeds are now 70mph (down from 185mph battering the Caribbean last week). |
| The NHC is still waring of life-threatening storm surges. | The NHC is still waring of life-threatening storm surges. |
| A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for: South Santee River southward to the Flagler/Volusia County line; Cape Sable northward to the Ochlockonee River and Tampa Bay. | A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for: South Santee River southward to the Flagler/Volusia County line; Cape Sable northward to the Ochlockonee River and Tampa Bay. |
| A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for: Bonita Beach to the Okaloosa/Walton County Line, Jupiter Inlet to the South Santee River and Lake Okeechobee. | A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for: Bonita Beach to the Okaloosa/Walton County Line, Jupiter Inlet to the South Santee River and Lake Okeechobee. |
| Tropical Storm #Irma Advisory 49A: Now available on the NHC website. https://t.co/VqHn0uj6EM | Tropical Storm #Irma Advisory 49A: Now available on the NHC website. https://t.co/VqHn0uj6EM |
| 1.04pm BST | 1.04pm BST |
| 13:04 | 13:04 |
| Labour has urged the prime minister or foreign secretary to follow Emmanuel Macron in visiting the Caribbean islands worst hit by Irma. Kate Osamor, shadow secretary of international development, said: | Labour has urged the prime minister or foreign secretary to follow Emmanuel Macron in visiting the Caribbean islands worst hit by Irma. Kate Osamor, shadow secretary of international development, said: |
| “Boris Johnson was clear on Sunday that this is a national disaster being treated as though in Inverness, Dover or St. Ives. Donald Trump is headed to Florida, and now Emmanuel Macron will visit St Martin tomorrow. | “Boris Johnson was clear on Sunday that this is a national disaster being treated as though in Inverness, Dover or St. Ives. Donald Trump is headed to Florida, and now Emmanuel Macron will visit St Martin tomorrow. |
| “But with the UK response to Irma drawing wide criticism, Theresa May is still to announce whether she or Boris Johnson will visit those most affected, look them in the eye and put their concerns at the centre of her government’s response plan. | “But with the UK response to Irma drawing wide criticism, Theresa May is still to announce whether she or Boris Johnson will visit those most affected, look them in the eye and put their concerns at the centre of her government’s response plan. |
| “The British people in the Overseas Territories deserve to see first-hand that the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary are doing everything they can to get a grip on this national disaster.” | “The British people in the Overseas Territories deserve to see first-hand that the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary are doing everything they can to get a grip on this national disaster.” |
| A UK aid flight has arrived in Barbados. | A UK aid flight has arrived in Barbados. |
| An RAF C-130J arrived in Barbados earlier to support @DFID_UK @UKinCaribbean with #hurricaneirma relief ops in British Overseas Territories. pic.twitter.com/lFgcF4Kwc4 | An RAF C-130J arrived in Barbados earlier to support @DFID_UK @UKinCaribbean with #hurricaneirma relief ops in British Overseas Territories. pic.twitter.com/lFgcF4Kwc4 |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.10pm BST | at 1.10pm BST |
| 12.57pm BST | 12.57pm BST |
| 12:57 | 12:57 |
| Irma has toppled cranes, uprooted trees, torn down power lines and ripped cladding off buildings. Here’s a selection of images of damage captured by journalists in the area. | Irma has toppled cranes, uprooted trees, torn down power lines and ripped cladding off buildings. Here’s a selection of images of damage captured by journalists in the area. |
| Irma deposited The Wizard, once moored somewhere off Coconut Grove, on a park by Bayshore Drive. Ritz-Carlton and Mutiny in background pic.twitter.com/T4DbsCv3Bb | Irma deposited The Wizard, once moored somewhere off Coconut Grove, on a park by Bayshore Drive. Ritz-Carlton and Mutiny in background pic.twitter.com/T4DbsCv3Bb |
| Sunoco at Bonita Beach Road and US-41 out of commission, major damage sustained. #hurricaneimra pic.twitter.com/zrEXOkt7f7 | Sunoco at Bonita Beach Road and US-41 out of commission, major damage sustained. #hurricaneimra pic.twitter.com/zrEXOkt7f7 |
| Damage from hurricane #Irma at DoubleTree Hotel Orlando Airport pic.twitter.com/OurvRmoPo2 | Damage from hurricane #Irma at DoubleTree Hotel Orlando Airport pic.twitter.com/OurvRmoPo2 |
| 12.51pm BST | 12.51pm BST |
| 12:51 | 12:51 |
| Flash flood warning for Jacksonville | Flash flood warning for Jacksonville |
| A flash flood warning has been issued for Jacksonville on the north-east Florida coast. Record flooding was recorded on the St Johns River in Jacksonsville earlier today. | A flash flood warning has been issued for Jacksonville on the north-east Florida coast. Record flooding was recorded on the St Johns River in Jacksonsville earlier today. |
| “This is particularly dangerous situation,” the National Weather Service warned. It urged residents to seek shelter on the second floor of buildings, or higher or move to higher ground. | “This is particularly dangerous situation,” the National Weather Service warned. It urged residents to seek shelter on the second floor of buildings, or higher or move to higher ground. |
| Flash Flood Emergency for downtown Jacksonville issued by Jacksonville WFO due to Hurricane #Irma pic.twitter.com/LQ2AzMHDJc | Flash Flood Emergency for downtown Jacksonville issued by Jacksonville WFO due to Hurricane #Irma pic.twitter.com/LQ2AzMHDJc |
| 12.13pm BST | 12.13pm BST |
| 12:13 | 12:13 |
| What we know so far | What we know so far |
| Hurricane Irma is continuing to lash Florida as it moves north of Tampa, but it is losing strength and is set to be downgraded to a tropical storm later today. It was a category four storm when it first made landfall in the Florida Keys, but is now a category one hurricane with sustained windspeeds of 75mph and is likely to classed as tropical storm later on Monday, according to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC). | Hurricane Irma is continuing to lash Florida as it moves north of Tampa, but it is losing strength and is set to be downgraded to a tropical storm later today. It was a category four storm when it first made landfall in the Florida Keys, but is now a category one hurricane with sustained windspeeds of 75mph and is likely to classed as tropical storm later on Monday, according to the US National Hurricane Center (NHC). |
| More 5.7 homes (58%) are without power in Florida and scores of people have been rescued. More than 160,000 people are thought to be waiting out the storm in shelters across the state. | More 5.7 homes (58%) are without power in Florida and scores of people have been rescued. More than 160,000 people are thought to be waiting out the storm in shelters across the state. |
| A police officer and prisoner officer were killed in a car crash in southern Florida thought to have been caused by the hurricane. Miami international airport will remain closed until at least Tuesday. Three construction cranes have crashed to the ground in southern Florida. | A police officer and prisoner officer were killed in a car crash in southern Florida thought to have been caused by the hurricane. Miami international airport will remain closed until at least Tuesday. Three construction cranes have crashed to the ground in southern Florida. |
| Record flooding has been recorded in Jacksonville as storm surges remain the main danger. The critical point could come at high tide, the NHC said, and bring up to 6ft of water flooding inland in the Tampa area. | Record flooding has been recorded in Jacksonville as storm surges remain the main danger. The critical point could come at high tide, the NHC said, and bring up to 6ft of water flooding inland in the Tampa area. |
| Forecasters say they expect Irma’s centre to stay inland over Florida and then move into Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee. It will weaken into a tropical storm over far northern Florida or southern Georgia on Monday as it speeds up its forward motion. | Forecasters say they expect Irma’s centre to stay inland over Florida and then move into Georgia, Alabama and Tennessee. It will weaken into a tropical storm over far northern Florida or southern Georgia on Monday as it speeds up its forward motion. |
| In the Caribbean, the premier of the British Virgin Islands, Orlando Smith, has asked for immediate aid from the British government to get the territories back on their feet after being devastated by Irma last week. He said the situation was “critical” and called for a “comprehensive package” to rebuild the islands. Entrepreneur and British Virgin Island resident Richard Branson called for a “disaster recovery Marshall plan”. | In the Caribbean, the premier of the British Virgin Islands, Orlando Smith, has asked for immediate aid from the British government to get the territories back on their feet after being devastated by Irma last week. He said the situation was “critical” and called for a “comprehensive package” to rebuild the islands. Entrepreneur and British Virgin Island resident Richard Branson called for a “disaster recovery Marshall plan”. |
| The clean-up operation is continuing in the Caribbean where it is thought 28 people have been killed. | The clean-up operation is continuing in the Caribbean where it is thought 28 people have been killed. |
| French president Emmanuel Macron has promised to visit the badly-hit French island of St Martin on Tuesday. Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte said the death toll on the Dutch part of the island, St Maarten, had doubled to four, and that 70% of homes had been damaged or destroyed. | French president Emmanuel Macron has promised to visit the badly-hit French island of St Martin on Tuesday. Dutch prime minister Mark Rutte said the death toll on the Dutch part of the island, St Maarten, had doubled to four, and that 70% of homes had been damaged or destroyed. |
| The UK foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, has insisted Britain is doing all it can to help after facing fresh criticism from Britons stranded in the Caribbean. Johnson said 700 British troops were in the region, with UK police also arriving. The government has already set aside £32m in aid and will match public donations to the Red Cross appeal. | The UK foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, has insisted Britain is doing all it can to help after facing fresh criticism from Britons stranded in the Caribbean. Johnson said 700 British troops were in the region, with UK police also arriving. The government has already set aside £32m in aid and will match public donations to the Red Cross appeal. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 1.13pm BST | at 1.13pm BST |
| 12.06pm BST | 12.06pm BST |
| 12:06 | 12:06 |
| Scores of people have been rescued, according to AP. | Scores of people have been rescued, according to AP. |
| In Polk County east of Tampa, winds knocked a utility pole and lines on to a sheriff’s cruiser late Sunday, illustrating the dangerous conditions for rescuers. | In Polk County east of Tampa, winds knocked a utility pole and lines on to a sheriff’s cruiser late Sunday, illustrating the dangerous conditions for rescuers. |
| A deputy and a paramedic were trapped for two hours until a crew could free them; both were unhurt. | A deputy and a paramedic were trapped for two hours until a crew could free them; both were unhurt. |
| And more than 120 homes were being evacuated early Monday in Orange County, just outside the city of Orlando, as floodwaters started to pour in. | And more than 120 homes were being evacuated early Monday in Orange County, just outside the city of Orlando, as floodwaters started to pour in. |
| The fire department and the National Guard are going door-to-door and using boats to ferry families to safety, county officials said. A few miles away, 30 others had to be evacuated when a 60ft sinkhole opened up under an apartment building. No injuries were reported in either case. | The fire department and the National Guard are going door-to-door and using boats to ferry families to safety, county officials said. A few miles away, 30 others had to be evacuated when a 60ft sinkhole opened up under an apartment building. No injuries were reported in either case. |
| Meanwhile, more than 160,000 people waited in shelters across Florida. | Meanwhile, more than 160,000 people waited in shelters across Florida. |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.35pm BST | at 12.35pm BST |
| 11.30am BST | 11.30am BST |
| 11:30 | 11:30 |
| 5.8m Florida homes without power | 5.8m Florida homes without power |
| The number of homes currently without power in Florida has shot up to 5.78m, according to the latest update from the Florida State Emergency Response Team. That represents 58% of the state, it said. | The number of homes currently without power in Florida has shot up to 5.78m, according to the latest update from the Florida State Emergency Response Team. That represents 58% of the state, it said. |
| The worst hit areas are Miami Dade county where 815,650 homes are without power (down from 1.1m earlier) and neighbouring Broward county where 643,000 homes currently don’t have power. | The worst hit areas are Miami Dade county where 815,650 homes are without power (down from 1.1m earlier) and neighbouring Broward county where 643,000 homes currently don’t have power. |
| Florida Hurricane #Irma Power Outage Numbers as of 09/11/2017 6:00 AM ET. PDF at: https://t.co/MdtDTxRJZf #FLResponds pic.twitter.com/8hfJ6IzuWh | Florida Hurricane #Irma Power Outage Numbers as of 09/11/2017 6:00 AM ET. PDF at: https://t.co/MdtDTxRJZf #FLResponds pic.twitter.com/8hfJ6IzuWh |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.36pm BST | at 12.36pm BST |
| 11.25am BST | 11.25am BST |
| 11:25 | 11:25 |
| Branson calls for 'Marshall plan for Caribbean' | Branson calls for 'Marshall plan for Caribbean' |
| Entrepreneur and British Virgin Island resident Richard Branson has called for a “disaster recovery Marshall plan” for the Caribbean – a reference to the multibillion-dollar programme agreed by the US to help Europe recover from the devastation of the second world war. | Entrepreneur and British Virgin Island resident Richard Branson has called for a “disaster recovery Marshall plan” for the Caribbean – a reference to the multibillion-dollar programme agreed by the US to help Europe recover from the devastation of the second world war. |
| In a blogpost he writes: | In a blogpost he writes: |
| The UK government will have a massive role to play in the recovery of its territories affected by Irma – both through short-term aid and long-term infrastructure spending. The region needs a “disaster recovery Marshall plan” for the BVI and other territories that will aid in recovery, sustainable reconstruction and long-term revitalisation of the local economy. This will have to include building resilience against what is likely to be a higher intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, as the effects of climate change continue to grow. | The UK government will have a massive role to play in the recovery of its territories affected by Irma – both through short-term aid and long-term infrastructure spending. The region needs a “disaster recovery Marshall plan” for the BVI and other territories that will aid in recovery, sustainable reconstruction and long-term revitalisation of the local economy. This will have to include building resilience against what is likely to be a higher intensity and frequency of extreme weather events, as the effects of climate change continue to grow. |
| Branson said tens of thousands of people had lost their homes and livelihoods amid “worrying reports of civil unrest spreading”. | Branson said tens of thousands of people had lost their homes and livelihoods amid “worrying reports of civil unrest spreading”. |
| He added: “We must get more help to the islands to rebuild homes and infrastructure and restore power, clean water and food supplies.” | He added: “We must get more help to the islands to rebuild homes and infrastructure and restore power, clean water and food supplies.” |
| BVI needs a "Disaster Recovery Marshall Plan” after #Irma – short-term aid & long-term recovery & revitalisation https://t.co/0USuxvk1dS pic.twitter.com/pFzsStZBjN | BVI needs a "Disaster Recovery Marshall Plan” after #Irma – short-term aid & long-term recovery & revitalisation https://t.co/0USuxvk1dS pic.twitter.com/pFzsStZBjN |
| Updated | Updated |
| at 12.37pm BST | at 12.37pm BST |