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Hurricane Irma: floods devastate Florida Keys as Caribbean in chaos – latest news Hurricane Irma: floods devastate Florida Keys as Caribbean in chaos – latest news
(35 minutes later)
2.15am BST
02:15
Curfews are still in place across southern Florida as Irma moves north over Georgia.
There is a curfew from 7pm to 7am in:
Miami-Dade County
City of Miami
City of North Miami
Village of Key Biscayne, and others
There is a curfew from 4pm until further notice in:
City of Fort Lauderdale
City of Deerfield Beach
Town of Hillsboro Beach
1.58am BST
01:58
Six dead in Florida
Six people have died in Florida as a result of Irma, according to the latest from AP.
This brings the US death toll to 10, across Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, according to reports from a number of local authorities.
In Florida, Winter Park police spokesman Garvin McComie said a 51-year-old man, named as Brian Buwalda, was found electrocuted by a downed power line on Monday morning.
On Sunday evening, 50-year-old Heidi Zehner died after her SUV crashed into a guardrail on route 417 near Orlando, and on Sunday morning 53-year-old Joseph Ossman and 42-year-old Julie Bridges died after their vehicles collided head-on.
Three deaths have been reported in Georgia, and one in South Carolina.
1.35am BST1.35am BST
01:3501:35
Here’s how Irma moved across Florida over the last 60 hours:Here’s how Irma moved across Florida over the last 60 hours:
59 hours of radar imagery from #Irma from 7 am Saturday morning to 6 pm Monday evening. pic.twitter.com/kzehdP2yHG59 hours of radar imagery from #Irma from 7 am Saturday morning to 6 pm Monday evening. pic.twitter.com/kzehdP2yHG
1.26am BST1.26am BST
01:2601:26
The death toll in Georgia has risen to three, and a first death has been reported in South Carolina, according to local authorities.The death toll in Georgia has risen to three, and a first death has been reported in South Carolina, according to local authorities.
In Georgia, a woman died after a tree fell on a vehicle in a private driveway, according to the Forsyth County Sherrif’s Office, who did not release her name.In Georgia, a woman died after a tree fell on a vehicle in a private driveway, according to the Forsyth County Sherrif’s Office, who did not release her name.
In South Carolina, 57-year-old Charles Saxon died after being struck by a tree limb in Calhoun Falls, the Abbeville County Coroner, Ronnie Ashley, said.In South Carolina, 57-year-old Charles Saxon died after being struck by a tree limb in Calhoun Falls, the Abbeville County Coroner, Ronnie Ashley, said.
1.13am BST1.13am BST
01:1301:13
Here’s more on the European response to Irma’s devastation in the Caribbean, after 400 survivors arrived in France and the Netherlands on Monday after a military evacuation.Here’s more on the European response to Irma’s devastation in the Caribbean, after 400 survivors arrived in France and the Netherlands on Monday after a military evacuation.
From AFP:From AFP:
Both the French and Dutch governments have come under criticism over delays in their responses to the crisis and in particular over how they handled outbreaks of looting on St Barthelemy and St Martin, an island with both French and Dutch sectors.Both the French and Dutch governments have come under criticism over delays in their responses to the crisis and in particular over how they handled outbreaks of looting on St Barthelemy and St Martin, an island with both French and Dutch sectors.
“They gave us phone numbers but they didn’t work. Only social media and solidarity worked,” said a mother picking up her daughter at Paris’s Charles de Gaulle airport.“They gave us phone numbers but they didn’t work. Only social media and solidarity worked,” said a mother picking up her daughter at Paris’s Charles de Gaulle airport.
“People were left to their own devices. They had to set up militias and take turns defending themselves (against looters).”“People were left to their own devices. They had to set up militias and take turns defending themselves (against looters).”
1.00am BST1.00am BST
01:0001:00
The French president, Emmanuel Macron, has just boarded a plane to visit the French islands of St Martin and St Barts.The French president, Emmanuel Macron, has just boarded a plane to visit the French islands of St Martin and St Barts.
Opposition politician Jean-Luc Melenchon had earlier slammed Macron for not doing enough, demanding a parliamentary inquiry into the French government’s response to the storm. The islands suffered much of the early force of Irma, with 9 people confirmed dead as of Friday, and 60% of St Martin declared uninhabitable.Opposition politician Jean-Luc Melenchon had earlier slammed Macron for not doing enough, demanding a parliamentary inquiry into the French government’s response to the storm. The islands suffered much of the early force of Irma, with 9 people confirmed dead as of Friday, and 60% of St Martin declared uninhabitable.
Départ pour les Antilles avec du matériel pour gérer l'urgence et commencer le travail de reconstruction. #Irma pic.twitter.com/dnXFQBl6BbDépart pour les Antilles avec du matériel pour gérer l'urgence et commencer le travail de reconstruction. #Irma pic.twitter.com/dnXFQBl6Bb
12.44am BST12.44am BST
00:4400:44
The US National Weather Service says all communications are down in the Florida Keys. They’re advising that it will be some time before they can provide information about specific areas of the Keys, and whether or not people are safe.The US National Weather Service says all communications are down in the Florida Keys. They’re advising that it will be some time before they can provide information about specific areas of the Keys, and whether or not people are safe.
They say they are receiving “numerous inquiries” but have no information to pass on. There is no timeline as yet for when communication will be restored.They say they are receiving “numerous inquiries” but have no information to pass on. There is no timeline as yet for when communication will be restored.
Communications are completely out across the Keys, and the Keys are currently cut-off from the main Florida peninsula. (3/5)Communications are completely out across the Keys, and the Keys are currently cut-off from the main Florida peninsula. (3/5)
12.29am BST12.29am BST
00:2900:29
Haiti’s civil protection agency has confirmed the country’s first death from Hurricane Irma.Haiti’s civil protection agency has confirmed the country’s first death from Hurricane Irma.
Authorities said an elderly man had died in the town of Mirebalais while attempting to cross a rain-swollen river in the country’s central plateau region. Irma had passed along the north of the island on Thursday local time, sparing most of the country from the full force of the storm.Authorities said an elderly man had died in the town of Mirebalais while attempting to cross a rain-swollen river in the country’s central plateau region. Irma had passed along the north of the island on Thursday local time, sparing most of the country from the full force of the storm.
12.08am BST12.08am BST
00:0800:08
Hi everyone, this is Naaman Zhou taking over the live blog from Alan Yuhas. I’ll be covering events through the night or day, depending on where you are.Hi everyone, this is Naaman Zhou taking over the live blog from Alan Yuhas. I’ll be covering events through the night or day, depending on where you are.
11.30pm BST11.30pm BST
23:3023:30
The latest from IrmaThe latest from Irma
Irma battered northern Florida and moved into Georgia, slowing to a tropical storm, with sustained winds of 50mph. Earlier on Monday gusts in excess of 60mph could be felt as far away as the metro Atlanta area, 200 miles inland.Irma battered northern Florida and moved into Georgia, slowing to a tropical storm, with sustained winds of 50mph. Earlier on Monday gusts in excess of 60mph could be felt as far away as the metro Atlanta area, 200 miles inland.
Record flash floods swept into Jacksonville out of the St Johns River, forcing residents out of homes with what possessions they could carry on small boats or in their hands. Storm surges pushed the ocean into Charleston, South Carolina, and two storm-related deaths were reported in southern Georgia.Record flash floods swept into Jacksonville out of the St Johns River, forcing residents out of homes with what possessions they could carry on small boats or in their hands. Storm surges pushed the ocean into Charleston, South Carolina, and two storm-related deaths were reported in southern Georgia.
At least 6.5 million homes and businesses lost power in Florida, two-thirds of the state. More than 100,000 people waited out the storm in shelters, and many started to head home as teams cleared debris off roads.At least 6.5 million homes and businesses lost power in Florida, two-thirds of the state. More than 100,000 people waited out the storm in shelters, and many started to head home as teams cleared debris off roads.
Governor Rick Scott saw “devastation” on the Florida Keys, where Irma made landfall on Sunday. An unknown number of people remain trapped on the islands, and the national guard are trying to rescue people from the flooded and demolished neighborhoods. A White House official said it could take weeks to restore safe road access and utilities. “I just hope everybody survived,” Scott said. “It’s horrible, what we saw.’”Governor Rick Scott saw “devastation” on the Florida Keys, where Irma made landfall on Sunday. An unknown number of people remain trapped on the islands, and the national guard are trying to rescue people from the flooded and demolished neighborhoods. A White House official said it could take weeks to restore safe road access and utilities. “I just hope everybody survived,” Scott said. “It’s horrible, what we saw.’”
Scott urged residents to wait for the all-clear on roads, given dangerous downed power lines, trees, and contaminated floodwaters. Health officials advised boiling tap water, avoiding stagnant floodwaters and looking out for expired food . “Don’t put any more lives at risk,” Scott said. “Don’t get out.”Scott urged residents to wait for the all-clear on roads, given dangerous downed power lines, trees, and contaminated floodwaters. Health officials advised boiling tap water, avoiding stagnant floodwaters and looking out for expired food . “Don’t put any more lives at risk,” Scott said. “Don’t get out.”
City and county governments planned to re-open officially on Tuesday, as did Miami and Fort Lauderdale’s international airports. Many seaports and marinas remain closed to civilian traffic, however, with sunken boats or their shattered remains still a hazards.City and county governments planned to re-open officially on Tuesday, as did Miami and Fort Lauderdale’s international airports. Many seaports and marinas remain closed to civilian traffic, however, with sunken boats or their shattered remains still a hazards.
At least 36 people have been reported killed around the Caribbean since Irma tore through Barbuda, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, French St Martin, the Bahamas, Cuba and other islands.At least 36 people have been reported killed around the Caribbean since Irma tore through Barbuda, the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, French St Martin, the Bahamas, Cuba and other islands.
The premier of the British Virgin Islands, Orlando Smith, has asked for immediate aid from the British government, saying the situation was “critical” . French president Emmanuel Macron has promised to visit the badly-hit French island of St Martin on Tuesday.The premier of the British Virgin Islands, Orlando Smith, has asked for immediate aid from the British government, saying the situation was “critical” . French president Emmanuel Macron has promised to visit the badly-hit French island of St Martin on Tuesday.
The US sent several naval vessels with hundreds of marines and aid packages to the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and south Florida. Britain has sent 500 British troops and sent aside £32m in aid to its territories. France has sent almost 1,000 medical, military and police personnel to the region.The US sent several naval vessels with hundreds of marines and aid packages to the Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico and south Florida. Britain has sent 500 British troops and sent aside £32m in aid to its territories. France has sent almost 1,000 medical, military and police personnel to the region.
11.25pm BST
23:25
The full extent of the damage on the Keys is trickling out thanks to reporters who stayed there, despite evacuation orders, or who’ve newly arrived with helicopters or rescue teams.
Damage in Ohio Key #HurricaneIrma pic.twitter.com/BMZtFVUvZC
10.59pm BST
22:59
After over 30 hours churning over Florida’s islands, coastlines and interior, Irma’s eye has moved across state lines into Georgia, the National Hurricane Center reports.
Its winds have slowed to 50mph.
The tropical storm’s center is now about 10 miles east of Albany. The agency predicts that it will turn north-west early Tuesday morning, toward Alabama, at 17mph. The storm’s arms still extend over 400 miles, in all, with three to six inches predicted everywhere from North Carolina through Georgia, into Alabama, southern Tennessee and northern Mississippi.
Updated
at 11.01pm BST
10.51pm BST
22:51
From the ground of the Florida Keys, National Geographic photographer Mike Theiss has been documenting the damage done to the islands.
Mile Marker 66 in the #FloridaKeys completely covered in sand from storm surge. Army corp of engineers clearing now. #Irma pic.twitter.com/2f0s7H4fIA
But the changes wrought by Irma are visible from space; meteorologist Dakota Smith illustrates with a graphic from satellite imagery.
Before & after Irma in Florida Keys. pic.twitter.com/9A0eSQEgI9
10.41pm BST
22:41
Waters are receding in Jacksonville, but the flash floods exceeded anything the city was expecting. The city ordered people to either evacuate areas near the St Johns river or to head for the upper storeys of homes and businesses.
This is an incident of historic proportions. The St. Johns River has not seen these flooding levels since 1846. #HurricaneIrma #JaxReady pic.twitter.com/8awsM7lvGy
10.30pm BST
22:30
Georgia officials have reported a second death related to Irma, the AP reports. The AP has also learned more details related to the first reported death.
Georgia Emergency Management Agency spokeswoman Catherine Howden said the death was confirmed Monday in Sandy Springs, north of Atlanta. She had no further details.
The storm is also being blamed for the death of a 62-year-old man in rural southwest Georgia. Worth County sheriff’s spokeswoman Kannetha Clem said the man use a ladder to climb onto a shed Monday morning as sustained winds in the county exceeded 40 mph (65 kph).
Clem says the man’s wife called 911 saying he suffered a heart attack, and first responders found his body lodged between two beams on the shed’s roof with debris on top of him.
The dead man’s name was not immediately released.
10.06pm BST
22:06
As of 5pm local time, more than 6.7 million homes and businesses have lost power in Florida, the state’s emegency management agency reports.
That total is roughly two-thirds of the entire state. With an additional 800,000 homes and businesses reported to have lost power by providers in Georgia, a huge section of the south-eastern US has gone dark.
More images are meanwhile coming in from the Florida Keys, where the damage resembles the gutted, blown out towns of other islands across the Caribbean.
Mammoth ficus tree wrecked this home in Key West. Neighbors said house belonged to poet Shel Silverstein #mh pic.twitter.com/AGD0DErs5S
Snappers Restaurant in #KeyLargo #Irma pic.twitter.com/bi0Z5K7qwU
9.51pm BST
21:51
Joanna Walters
Some of the small Caribbean islands smashed by Irma are in a state of chaos and rising panic, Jo Walters reports, after interviews with residents of the British territories.
“It’s absolutely horrific,” said Sarah Thompson, a 38-year-old lawyer and resident of Tortola, the largest of the British Virgin Islands (BVI).
“The island is not fit to live on. Planes and boats are needed to get people off. There was some limited evacuation yesterday, prioritizing those who are injured and most vulnerable, but many are still trying to find a way off the island,” she added.
“I’m hearing rumors of deaths, and there are people who cannot be accounted for. Many roads are totally blocked and people cannot get out of their houses.”
Five people are understood to have died in the BVI so far, but the death toll is expected to rise as personnel reach areas isolated by flooding and debris.
Communications were down across much of the BVI from Wednesday and there is now some patchy phone and internet function. The only power is from generators, with people running low on fuel to run them, Thompson said.
Thompson did not hear from her husband, Christian, until Saturday, when she learned he was safe. Their home is wrecked.
“There is debris all over the island. There seems to be no information and people are running around like headless chickens. It looks like the government building in Tortola has been totalled, but there has to be some more coordination. People on the ground are starting to panic, and I can hear it in my husband’s voice,” said Thompson.
9.36pm BST
21:36
Charleston is awash with storm surge and rain, as seawater rushes over embankments into the city.
WATCH: High winds and severe flooding near Waterfront Park in downtown Charleston, South Carolina(Via Patrick Spoon) pic.twitter.com/5DZ84KMNff
After doing their damage to homes, cars, boats and lives, the waters will quickly retreat to the sea, as they’re already doing to the south.
Tide receding along #Hwy80 showing all #Irma spoils. @cityoftybee @Tybee_PD #WTOC PIC: Capt. Brown pic.twitter.com/b27LPtXGJZ
9.26pm BST
21:26
Tropical storm Irma has killed one person in Georgia, an emergency management official has confirmed to the AP.
The death was in rural Worth County, in south-west Georgia, in the path of the storm. It was confirmed as a storm related death by Georgia Emergency Management Agency spokeswoman Catherine Howden. She gave no details.
Along the coast, where storm surges started flooding towns and cities, Savanna had been ordered to evacuate for the second time in less than a year. Atlanta, although more than 200 miles inland, is under a tropical storm warning.
Some people stayed behind in the coastal regions, including Holland Zellers, who also spoke with the AP. He said the water in the street was “knee-to-waist deep”.
Shawn Gillen, Tybee Island’s city manager, said waters appeared to be receding quickly but the flooding was extensive on the island of more than 3,000 residents.
“There’s a lot of homes that have water in the them right now,” Gillen said.
More than 800,000 homes and businesses in south Georgia have lost power, utility providers have said. More than 70% of Miami still lacks power, and 6.5 million homes and businesses have lost power all around Florida, roughly two-thirds of the state.
Updated
at 10.32pm BST
9.12pm BST
21:12
Jacksonville and Charleston are suffering intense, and in some cases historic flooding, with the rain and winds especially buffeting the South Carolina city.
In Jacksonville, residents are trying to desperately evacuate homes from thigh-high floodwaters, with boats, coolers, life vests and plastic bins to rescue anything they can.