This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/sep/10/what-we-know-so-far-about-hurricane-irma

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
What we know so far about Hurricane Irma What we know so far about Hurricane Irma
(about 5 hours later)
Hurricane Irma made landfall in Florida on Sunday, lashing the US state with record rainfall and winds of up to 130mph. As the Florida governor, Rick Scott, asked people to “pray for us”, here is what we know about the latest stages of the superstorm.Hurricane Irma made landfall in Florida on Sunday, lashing the US state with record rainfall and winds of up to 130mph. As the Florida governor, Rick Scott, asked people to “pray for us”, here is what we know about the latest stages of the superstorm.
Hurricane Irma, a category 4 storm, has hit the lower Florida Keys. Gusts of 91mph have already been recorded at Key West with 71mph recorded at Fort Lauderdale. Hurricane Irma has hit land in Florida. Downgraded to a category 3 hurricane, it is still producing lethal winds and tidal storm surges, leading to widespread and serious flooding and the potential for cataclysmic damage.
A warning from the National Weather Service in Key West told people to “take action now to protect your life”. It said: “If you are here, please go to an interior room away from windows. Treat these imminent extreme winds as if a tornado was approaching and move immediately to the safe room in your shelter.” Massive amounts of water drained from Tampa Bay – ahead of storm surges.
As Hurricane Irma moves through the Caribbean, the US president, Donald Trump, has issued emergency declarations for Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Puerto Rico. A major disaster declaration has also been issued for the US Virgin Islands. As of 3pm, the storm was about 20 miles away from the city of Naples on the south-west coast of the state. At 3.32pm the Naples Municipal Airport reported to the National Weather Service 83mph sustained winds and gusts up to 115mph.
Amid urgent warnings from state officials to evacuate before it was too late, downtown Miami was all but abandoned on Saturday. A warning from the National Weather Service (NWS) told people in the area to: “MOVE AWAY FROM THE WATER! Life-threatening storm surge inundation of 10 to 15 feet above ground level is expected in this area.”
An earlier such NWS advisory told people in Key West to “take action now to protect your life”. It said: “If you are here, please go to an interior room away from windows. Treat these imminent extreme winds as if a tornado was approaching and move immediately to the safe room in your shelter.”
Donald Trump has issued emergency declarations for Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Puerto Rico. A major disaster declaration has also been issued for the US Virgin Islands.
Amid urgent warnings from state officials to evacuate before it was too late, downtown Miami was all but abandoned by Saturday. Extensive flooding was reported on Sunday, with tornado alerts and one twister confirmed. Two large construction cranes in Miami were broken by the storm.
Residents in the British Virgin Islands have described a scene of “utter devastation” in the wake of Irma.Residents in the British Virgin Islands have described a scene of “utter devastation” in the wake of Irma.
The United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association (UKOTA) has criticised the response of the UK government as slow, urging it to “commit immediate resources” but also to develop the long-term economic self-sustainability of the territories.The United Kingdom Overseas Territories Association (UKOTA) has criticised the response of the UK government as slow, urging it to “commit immediate resources” but also to develop the long-term economic self-sustainability of the territories.
The UK defence secretary, Michael Fallon, said the government’s response had been “as good [as that] of anyone else” and claimed France was now asking it for help.The UK defence secretary, Michael Fallon, said the government’s response had been “as good [as that] of anyone else” and claimed France was now asking it for help.
The Cuban capital, Havana, has flooded and 5,000 tourists have been evacuated after Irma raked the country’s north coast.The Cuban capital, Havana, has flooded and 5,000 tourists have been evacuated after Irma raked the country’s north coast.
William Marlin, prime minister of the Dutch island St Maarten, says about 1,600 tourists who were in the Dutch Caribbean territory have been evacuated and efforts are being made to move 1,200 more.William Marlin, prime minister of the Dutch island St Maarten, says about 1,600 tourists who were in the Dutch Caribbean territory have been evacuated and efforts are being made to move 1,200 more.
A Florida sheriff has advised people not to shoot at the hurricane as it could backfire.A Florida sheriff has advised people not to shoot at the hurricane as it could backfire.