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Hurricane Irma: 10 dead in Cuba as record flooding hits northern Florida – latest updates Hurricane Irma: 10 dead in Cuba as record flooding hits northern Florida – latest updates
(35 minutes later)
3.07pm BST
15:07
Trump: 'these are storms of catastrophic severity'
Donald Trump has said his thoughts are with the survivors and families of the victims of Hurricanes Irma and Harvey.
In a speech at the Pentagon to mark the anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, he said:
These are storms of catastrophic severity and we are marshalling the full full resources of the federal government to help our fellow Americans in Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Louisiana, Tennessee and all of those wonderful places and states in harm’s way.
When Americans are in in need, Americans pull together. And we our one country. And when we face hardship we emerge, closer, stronger and more determined than ever.
3.00pm BST
15:00
What we know so far
Irma is continuing to lash Florida as it moves into the north of the state, but it is losing strength and has been downgraded to a tropical storm, with sustained windspeeds of 70mph.
More 6.2 million homes (62%) 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 flash flood warning has been issued for Jacksonville on the north-east Florida coast where record flooding was recorded on the St Johns River. Video showed the water overlapping harbour walls and entering homes and offices. Residents have been urged to shelter in higher floors.
Hurricane Jose, which had threatened to batter the Caribbean islands hit by Irma, has weakened to a category 2 storm is set to linger away from land in the coming days. According to the latest update from the US National Hurricane Centre Jose now has sustained wind speeds of 105mph.
At least 10 people were killed when Irma tore through Cuba over the weekend. Among the victims were two passengers of a bus in Santiago de Cuba when part of a fourth-floor balcony fell on the bu. Three of those killed died in their homes after ignoring evacuation orders, the authorities said.
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.
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 38 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 St. Martin had doubled to four, and that 70% of homes had been damaged or destroyed.
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.
2.46pm BST
14:46
New videos shows the scale of the flooding in Jacksonville, north-east Florida, where a flash flood warning remains in place.
SOUTHBANK: Flooding on Riverplace blvd. and the riverwalk. pic.twitter.com/i3G7K55uUM
Flooding in Riverside near downtown #Jax. #Irma pushes river over the banks near st. Vincent's Hosp. @ActionNewsJax @MikeFirstAlert pic.twitter.com/OiNHDfEG1X
Flooding from #Irma along the Landing in #Jacksonville. @JSOPIO urging people to stay off roads. (📹@KaitlynANjax) pic.twitter.com/XaqfeRXpHS
2.37pm BST2.37pm BST
14:3714:37
State media has named all 10 victims of the hurricane in Cuba.State media has named all 10 victims of the hurricane in Cuba.
They were killed in the states of territories of Havana, Matanzas, Camagüey and Ciego de Ávila, according to a statement from Civil Defense authorities, reprinted in Cuba Debate.They were killed in the states of territories of Havana, Matanzas, Camagüey and Ciego de Ávila, according to a statement from Civil Defense authorities, reprinted in Cuba Debate.
Among those killed were brother and sister in their 50s who found dead in their home in Guisa after part of the property’s roof collapsed.Among those killed were brother and sister in their 50s who found dead in their home in Guisa after part of the property’s roof collapsed.
One of the victims in Havana was killed when he fell onto a live power line, and two people were killed in Santiago de Cuba when part of a fourth-floor balcony fell on the bus they were travelling in.One of the victims in Havana was killed when he fell onto a live power line, and two people were killed in Santiago de Cuba when part of a fourth-floor balcony fell on the bus they were travelling in.
Three of those killed died in their homes after ignoring evacuation orders, the authorities said.Three of those killed died in their homes after ignoring evacuation orders, the authorities said.
UpdatedUpdated
at 2.37pm BSTat 2.37pm BST
2.25pm BST2.25pm BST
14:2514:25
2.23pm BST2.23pm BST
14:2314:23
Reuters has a bit more on the rising death toll across the region.Reuters has a bit more on the rising death toll across the region.
At least 10 people were killed after Hurricane Irma tore through Cuba over the weekend, authorities said in a statement on Monday, bringing the death toll in the Caribbean from the ferocious storm to 38.At least 10 people were killed after Hurricane Irma tore through Cuba over the weekend, authorities said in a statement on Monday, bringing the death toll in the Caribbean from the ferocious storm to 38.
A statement from civil defence authorities said the victims perished due to various causes such as accidents, collapsed buildings and not heeding orders to evacuate in the four provinces of Havana, Matanzas, Sancti spiritus and Ciego de Avila, where the storm hit hard.A statement from civil defence authorities said the victims perished due to various causes such as accidents, collapsed buildings and not heeding orders to evacuate in the four provinces of Havana, Matanzas, Sancti spiritus and Ciego de Avila, where the storm hit hard.
2.20pm BST2.20pm BST
14:2014:20
The number of homes currently without power in Florida has increased to 6.2m, according to the latest update from the Florida State Emergency Response Team. That represents 62% of the state, it said.The number of homes currently without power in Florida has increased to 6.2m, according to the latest update from the Florida State Emergency Response Team. That represents 62% of the state, it said.
The worst hit areas are Miami Dade county where 809,580 homes are without power (down from 1.1m earlier); neighbouring Broward county to the north where 638,480 homes currently don’t have power; and Palm Beach, the next county up, where the figure is 526,310.The worst hit areas are Miami Dade county where 809,580 homes are without power (down from 1.1m earlier); neighbouring Broward county to the north where 638,480 homes currently don’t have power; and Palm Beach, the next county up, where the figure is 526,310.
Florida Hurricane #Irma Power Outage Numbers as of 9/11/2017 8:58 AM pic.twitter.com/c2l5wBHnqVFlorida Hurricane #Irma Power Outage Numbers as of 9/11/2017 8:58 AM pic.twitter.com/c2l5wBHnqV
2.11pm BST2.11pm BST
14:1114:11
Emergency phone lines are down in Glades county, south Florida where a flood watch will remain in place until 8pm on Monday.Emergency phone lines are down in Glades county, south Florida where a flood watch will remain in place until 8pm on Monday.
pic.twitter.com/GEh7dfZg5Hpic.twitter.com/GEh7dfZg5H
2.07pm BST2.07pm BST
14:0714:07
Miami-Dade police have footage of uprooted trees and downed traffic lights at a junction in Miami.Miami-Dade police have footage of uprooted trees and downed traffic lights at a junction in Miami.
#TrafficAlert: Destroyed traffic signals, poles & large tree at SW 132 Ave & 56 St. Please avoid roadways while we continue assessing. pic.twitter.com/leasooEwyU#TrafficAlert: Destroyed traffic signals, poles & large tree at SW 132 Ave & 56 St. Please avoid roadways while we continue assessing. pic.twitter.com/leasooEwyU
1.41pm BST1.41pm BST
13:4113:41
10 killed in Cuba10 killed in Cuba
The Cuban government says 10 people have been killed by Hurricane Irma, according to a snap on Reuters.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/3Mtgc0MGEbJUST IN: Cuban government says 10 people killed by Hurricane Irma https://t.co/fw34rRkMST pic.twitter.com/3Mtgc0MGEb
UpdatedUpdated
at 1.41pm BSTat 1.41pm BST
1.40pm BST1.40pm BST
13:4013:40
Highway patrol police in Orlando have urged sightseers to stay at home. They stress that roads remain dangerous because of fallen power lines.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/DTPQJyNDvVIf 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 jokingWe 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/Xk7NqFdwunThis 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
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.
#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
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
13:11
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).
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 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
1.04pm BST
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:
“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.
“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.
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
at 1.10pm BST
12.57pm BST
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 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
Damage from hurricane #Irma at DoubleTree Hotel Orlando Airport pic.twitter.com/OurvRmoPo2
12.51pm BST
12:51
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.
“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
12.13pm BST
12:13
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
Updated
at 1.13pm BST
12.06pm BST
12:06
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.
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.
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.
Updated
at 12.35pm BST
11.30am BST
11:30
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 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
Updated
at 12.36pm BST
11.25am BST
11:25
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.
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.
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.”
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
at 12.37pm BST