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Hurricane Irma: storm strikes Florida bringing floods and tornadoes – live | Hurricane Irma: storm strikes Florida bringing floods and tornadoes – live |
(35 minutes later) | |
7.40pm BST | |
19:40 | |
French President Emmanuel Macron will go to the devastated territory of St Martin on Tuesday, the AP reports. | |
French authorities have said at least eight people were killed as a result of hurricane Irene, and that about 95% of the building’s on the French-administered side were destroyed. More than 1,100 military, healthcare, and relief personnel have been sent to the island, along with tens of thousands of rations. France has also sent police, in response to reports of widespread looting. | |
7.30pm BST | |
19:30 | |
The National Hurricane Center has just issued an “urgent” message for the area of Naples and Marco Island: “water levels from storm surge to rise rapidly”. | |
“With the passage of the eye of Irma during the next couple of hours, the wind direction will shift to onshore, causing water levels along the southwest coast of Florida to rapidly rise in a matter of minutes. MOVE AWAY FROM THE WATER! Life-threatening storm surge inundation of 10 to 15 feet above ground level is expected in this area.” | |
7.18pm BST | 7.18pm BST |
19:18 | 19:18 |
Irma slows to category three | Irma slows to category three |
Hurricane Irma has been downgraded to a category three storm with sustained 120mph winds, and is steadily approaching landfall on Florida’s gulf coast. | Hurricane Irma has been downgraded to a category three storm with sustained 120mph winds, and is steadily approaching landfall on Florida’s gulf coast. |
The storm is about 35 miles south of Naples. It has drained massive amounts of water from Tampa Bay ahead of storm surges, cut off the Florida Keys, and put swaths of downtown Miami underwater. Tornadoes have cut across much of central and east Florida, including one formed in the last hour near Fort Lauderdale airport. | The storm is about 35 miles south of Naples. It has drained massive amounts of water from Tampa Bay ahead of storm surges, cut off the Florida Keys, and put swaths of downtown Miami underwater. Tornadoes have cut across much of central and east Florida, including one formed in the last hour near Fort Lauderdale airport. |
The National Hurricane Center’s 2pm advisory warns people not to underestimate the storm, which will “remain a powerful hurricane while it moves near or along the west coast of Florida”. | The National Hurricane Center’s 2pm advisory warns people not to underestimate the storm, which will “remain a powerful hurricane while it moves near or along the west coast of Florida”. |
The NHC’s Atlantic Office has just issued an all-caps warning for everyone on the state’s western coast: “MOVE AWAY FROM THE WATER!” | The NHC’s Atlantic Office has just issued an all-caps warning for everyone on the state’s western coast: “MOVE AWAY FROM THE WATER!” |
Stay away from Brickell in Downtown Miami. The water is NOT receding. @wsvn #HurrcaneIrma pic.twitter.com/gIeFU82X8c | Stay away from Brickell in Downtown Miami. The water is NOT receding. @wsvn #HurrcaneIrma pic.twitter.com/gIeFU82X8c |
Updated | Updated |
at 7.21pm BST | at 7.21pm BST |
7.11pm BST | 7.11pm BST |
19:11 | 19:11 |
Florida police in Broward county have shot one attempted burglar and arrested a second, the AP reports. | Florida police in Broward county have shot one attempted burglar and arrested a second, the AP reports. |
The Broward Sheriff’s Office said in a news release Sunday that the homeowners in Weston were out of town but saw the burglars remotely inside the house through a home surveillance system. | The Broward Sheriff’s Office said in a news release Sunday that the homeowners in Weston were out of town but saw the burglars remotely inside the house through a home surveillance system. |
Deputies responded shortly before 3am and one of the two juvenile males was shot outside the home. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The other person was arrested. | Deputies responded shortly before 3am and one of the two juvenile males was shot outside the home. He was taken to a local hospital for treatment of non-life threatening injuries. The other person was arrested. |
Their names were not immediately released. | Their names were not immediately released. |
Updated | Updated |
at 7.14pm BST | at 7.14pm BST |
7.07pm BST | 7.07pm BST |
19:07 | 19:07 |
Jessica Glenza | |
Jessica Glenza is in her childhood home of St Petersburg, near Tampa Bay, where storm surges are expected to reach five to eight feet. Tampa’s mayor said earlier Sunday that he intends to enforce a strict curfew to get people inside before the storm makes land. When it does, police will be unable to help anyone until conditions improve. | Jessica Glenza is in her childhood home of St Petersburg, near Tampa Bay, where storm surges are expected to reach five to eight feet. Tampa’s mayor said earlier Sunday that he intends to enforce a strict curfew to get people inside before the storm makes land. When it does, police will be unable to help anyone until conditions improve. |
The storm is still 190 miles south of the mouth of Tampa Bay, the body of water between Pinellas county (where I am) and Hillsborough County (where Tampa is).High tide is expected just after 5am in Tampa Bay, and the worst of the storm is expected around and after midnight. | The storm is still 190 miles south of the mouth of Tampa Bay, the body of water between Pinellas county (where I am) and Hillsborough County (where Tampa is).High tide is expected just after 5am in Tampa Bay, and the worst of the storm is expected around and after midnight. |
It is difficult to say how many people have evacuated: people have clearly fled, but A many refused to leave. Only about one third of the houses are boarded up in our neighborhood, in part because of lack of supplies. Plywood was extremely difficult to find. Similarly, there is no nearby gas. | It is difficult to say how many people have evacuated: people have clearly fled, but A many refused to leave. Only about one third of the houses are boarded up in our neighborhood, in part because of lack of supplies. Plywood was extremely difficult to find. Similarly, there is no nearby gas. |
Police are no longer allowing people to go onto barrier islands in Pinellas, such as Treasure Island, even if they live there. Curfews have been issued for St Petersburg and Tampa, at 5pm and 6pm respectively. | Police are no longer allowing people to go onto barrier islands in Pinellas, such as Treasure Island, even if they live there. Curfews have been issued for St Petersburg and Tampa, at 5pm and 6pm respectively. |
Updated | |
at 7.42pm BST | |
7.03pm BST | 7.03pm BST |
19:03 | 19:03 |
Florida Keys county 'closed' | Florida Keys county 'closed' |
The south Florida county that includes the Florida Keys and the state’s south-west extremities up to Everglades City, has “closed”, according to the government’s social media accounts. | The south Florida county that includes the Florida Keys and the state’s south-west extremities up to Everglades City, has “closed”, according to the government’s social media accounts. |
Governor Rick Scott said earlier Sunday that US-1, the only road from the mainland to the islands, is underwater. He said that one of his highest priorities, after the storm finally breaks, is to get re-establish a supply lane to the Keys. | Governor Rick Scott said earlier Sunday that US-1, the only road from the mainland to the islands, is underwater. He said that one of his highest priorities, after the storm finally breaks, is to get re-establish a supply lane to the Keys. |
The NWS on Key West meanwhile has just reported that – based on its reading of a social media photo – the storm surge at Cudjoe Key was 10-14ft. “Photograph showed water nearing the base of a house on stilts, stated to be approximately 15 feet above ground level.” | The NWS on Key West meanwhile has just reported that – based on its reading of a social media photo – the storm surge at Cudjoe Key was 10-14ft. “Photograph showed water nearing the base of a house on stilts, stated to be approximately 15 feet above ground level.” |
Monroe County is closed until further notice. Evacuated residents do not return until further notice. More info to come. #hurricaneirma | Monroe County is closed until further notice. Evacuated residents do not return until further notice. More info to come. #hurricaneirma |
6.44pm BST | 6.44pm BST |
18:44 | 18:44 |
Ed Pilkington is in Naples, Florida, reporting on the storm and directly in its path. The National Weather Service’s midday projections suggest the hurricane may make landfall there later today. | Ed Pilkington is in Naples, Florida, reporting on the storm and directly in its path. The National Weather Service’s midday projections suggest the hurricane may make landfall there later today. |
Even with Irma some 50 miles south-east of Naples, the winds are so strong that two windows have broken at his hotel, he says. | Even with Irma some 50 miles south-east of Naples, the winds are so strong that two windows have broken at his hotel, he says. |
The eyewall, with strongest wind, & surge potential with #IRMA close to Naples/Marco Island. Coastal #Lee & #Charlotte cntys are next. #flwx pic.twitter.com/RZpnuKJpnu | The eyewall, with strongest wind, & surge potential with #IRMA close to Naples/Marco Island. Coastal #Lee & #Charlotte cntys are next. #flwx pic.twitter.com/RZpnuKJpnu |
6.40pm BST | 6.40pm BST |
18:40 | 18:40 |
Two Florida law enforcement officers have died in a traffic accident, the sheriff’s department has confirmed in Hardee County, east of Sarasota. | Two Florida law enforcement officers have died in a traffic accident, the sheriff’s department has confirmed in Hardee County, east of Sarasota. |
The officers were named as Julie Ann Bridges, a Hardee County deputy, and Joseph Ossman, a sergeant with the Florida department of corrections. In a statement, the governor’s office siad “the cause of the traffic accident remains under investigation and more details will be released by the Florida Highway Patrol”. | The officers were named as Julie Ann Bridges, a Hardee County deputy, and Joseph Ossman, a sergeant with the Florida department of corrections. In a statement, the governor’s office siad “the cause of the traffic accident remains under investigation and more details will be released by the Florida Highway Patrol”. |
It’s not clear whether storm conditions were a factor in the accident. Around the Caribbean at least 25 people have been confirmed killed by the storm. | It’s not clear whether storm conditions were a factor in the accident. Around the Caribbean at least 25 people have been confirmed killed by the storm. |
“I am heart broken to learn of the loss of these two individuals,” Governor Rick Scott said in the statement. “Our law enforcement and correctional officers work every day to keep Floridians safe. It is because of their work we are able to live in a state where people can raise their families safely. My heart goes out [to] their families and the entire law enforcement and correctional community.” | “I am heart broken to learn of the loss of these two individuals,” Governor Rick Scott said in the statement. “Our law enforcement and correctional officers work every day to keep Floridians safe. It is because of their work we are able to live in a state where people can raise their families safely. My heart goes out [to] their families and the entire law enforcement and correctional community.” |
6.30pm BST | 6.30pm BST |
18:30 | 18:30 |
Though Florida’s east coast was spared a direct hit, conditions there remain extremely dangerous. The National Hurricane Center has just issued an advisory saying that Irma has encompassed all of south Florida, and Miami International reported a 92mph gust around 1pm. | Though Florida’s east coast was spared a direct hit, conditions there remain extremely dangerous. The National Hurricane Center has just issued an advisory saying that Irma has encompassed all of south Florida, and Miami International reported a 92mph gust around 1pm. |
This reporter’s mom is one of the millions of people just inland of the evacuation zones, in her case Boca Raton. The wind, she says, is a steady droning roar. | This reporter’s mom is one of the millions of people just inland of the evacuation zones, in her case Boca Raton. The wind, she says, is a steady droning roar. |
“It feels like a giant has grabbed and is shaking your house.” | “It feels like a giant has grabbed and is shaking your house.” |
The backyard is lined by a wooden fence. She can hear the wind whistling through its spaces, jangling its hinges, and the wood itself bang and clatter with the gusts. | The backyard is lined by a wooden fence. She can hear the wind whistling through its spaces, jangling its hinges, and the wood itself bang and clatter with the gusts. |
She can’t see much of what’s happening outside the house because of metal storm shutters encasing its windows, but she can hear the blasts of rain whipped at weird angles by the wind – and she can hear the wind itself. | She can’t see much of what’s happening outside the house because of metal storm shutters encasing its windows, but she can hear the blasts of rain whipped at weird angles by the wind – and she can hear the wind itself. |
It doesn't look like much but it's taken out the power pic.twitter.com/pXDaDhCfcY | It doesn't look like much but it's taken out the power pic.twitter.com/pXDaDhCfcY |
6.08pm BST | 6.08pm BST |
18:08 | 18:08 |
Naples is about to suffer the brunt of hurricane Irma’s force, the National Weather service warns, with the storm’s eye about 50 miles south of the city. | Naples is about to suffer the brunt of hurricane Irma’s force, the National Weather service warns, with the storm’s eye about 50 miles south of the city. |
12:53 PM at #Naples sustained wind 48 mph gusting to 76 mph. 115+ mph winds on the way as eyewall moves in. Shelter in place! #Irma | 12:53 PM at #Naples sustained wind 48 mph gusting to 76 mph. 115+ mph winds on the way as eyewall moves in. Shelter in place! #Irma |
5.49pm BST | 5.49pm BST |
17:49 | 17:49 |
Irma so far and what's next | Irma so far and what's next |
Hurricane Irma made landfall at Cudjoe Key at 9.10am, with sustained winds of 130mph, the second category four hurricane to strike the mainland United States in two weeks. Seawater flooding over US-1 has cut off the Keys from the mainland, and a handful of images from the islands showed waters in buildings and over cars. | Hurricane Irma made landfall at Cudjoe Key at 9.10am, with sustained winds of 130mph, the second category four hurricane to strike the mainland United States in two weeks. Seawater flooding over US-1 has cut off the Keys from the mainland, and a handful of images from the islands showed waters in buildings and over cars. |
Tornadoes swept across swaths of south-eastern Florida, and gusts as strong as 100mph reported north of Miami. Rain and storm surges brought flooding into downtown Miami, and sustained winds approaching 45mph brought down a construction crane, trees and power lines. Police and emergency personnel took to shelters. | Tornadoes swept across swaths of south-eastern Florida, and gusts as strong as 100mph reported north of Miami. Rain and storm surges brought flooding into downtown Miami, and sustained winds approaching 45mph brought down a construction crane, trees and power lines. Police and emergency personnel took to shelters. |
More than a 1.3 million people have lost power, and more than 70,000 are in shelters. About 6.5 million people were ordered to evacuate coastal areas all around the state, roughly a third of the state’s entire population. | More than a 1.3 million people have lost power, and more than 70,000 are in shelters. About 6.5 million people were ordered to evacuate coastal areas all around the state, roughly a third of the state’s entire population. |
Governor Rick Scott warned that south-west Florida could see imminent storm surges of 10-15ft above ground – breathtakingly fast waves as tall as a one-storey home. 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. The Keys have recorded 12in of rain so far, and all of south Florida can expect another 8-15in. | Governor Rick Scott warned that south-west Florida could see imminent storm surges of 10-15ft above ground – breathtakingly fast waves as tall as a one-storey home. 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. The Keys have recorded 12in of rain so far, and all of south Florida can expect another 8-15in. |
Irma is expected to make a second landfall, this time on the mainland near Fort Myers, on Sunday evening. Meteorologists forecast a slight change in the storm’s path, saying that the city of St Petersburg is now more likely to suffer a direct hit than nearby Tampa. “We know we are ground zero for this storm,” mayor Bob Buckhorn said. “We have avoided it for 90 winds but our time has come to be ready.” | Irma is expected to make a second landfall, this time on the mainland near Fort Myers, on Sunday evening. Meteorologists forecast a slight change in the storm’s path, saying that the city of St Petersburg is now more likely to suffer a direct hit than nearby Tampa. “We know we are ground zero for this storm,” mayor Bob Buckhorn said. “We have avoided it for 90 winds but our time has come to be ready.” |
At least 25 confirmed dead around the Caribbean, including 11 on French St Martin, the US and British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Dutch St Maarten, Barbuda, and Anguilla. | At least 25 confirmed dead around the Caribbean, including 11 on French St Martin, the US and British Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Dutch St Maarten, Barbuda, and Anguilla. |
The storm levelled whole towns in its path, hurtling trees and debris like missiles and bringing huge waves into homes, businesses and hotels. 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. | The storm levelled whole towns in its path, hurtling trees and debris like missiles and bringing huge waves into homes, businesses and hotels. 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. |