Posted on Sep 5, 2017
Hurricane Irma strengthens to Category 5, threatening Caribbean islands and Florida Keys
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HURRICANE IRMA UPDATE OF THE DAY
British tourists are being brought back from the Caribbean after Hurricane Irma strengthened into a dangerous Category 5 storm.
The hurricane is moving toward the northeast Caribbean on a path that could take it to the United States.
The US National Hurricane Center said Irma had sustained winds of 175mph (280 kph) and was centered about 270 miles (440 kilometres) east of Antigua. It was moving west at 14 mph (22 kph).
A spokesman for the centre said there was a growing possibility that the storm's effects could be felt in Florida later this week and over the weekend, though it was still too early to be sure of its future track.
Irma became the strongest Atlantic hurricane ever recorded outside of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean.
It is the strongest of any Atlantic hurricanes since Rita in 2005.
"Everyone in hurricane-prone areas should ensure that they have their hurricane plan in place," the centre said.
Irma's was expected to move near or over the northern Leeward Islands late on Tuesday or early Wednesday.
The eye was then expected to pass about 50 miles (80km) from Puerto Rico late on Wednesday.
Hurricane Irma strengthens as gets close to Hurricane Irma strengthens as it barrels towards US
00:44
Experts warned the storm could dump up to 10 inches of rain, cause landslides and flash floods and generate waves of up to 23ft.
Shelves emptied at shops in Puerto Rico as officials began evacuations.
Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello said: "The decisions that we make in the next couple of hours can make the difference between life and death. This is an extremely dangerous storm."
Boats secured
Boats being secured in Guadeloupe
Residents on the US East Coast were urged to monitor the storm's progress in case it should turn northward toward Florida, Georgia or the Carolinas.
Evan Myers, chief operating officer of AccuWeather, said: "This hurricane has the potential to be a major event for the East Coast. It also has the potential to significantly strain governmental resources occurring so quickly on the heels of Hurricane Harvey."
Many are speculating as to whether Hurricane Irma, which is barrelling towards Florida, will hit Donald Trump's luxury coastal hotel.
Although the path of the category 4 or 5 hurricane is unclear, some models have it heading up to Florida by the weekend.
Mar-a-Lago, which the President has referred to as the Winter White House, appears to be in the path of the storm.
According to some forecasts, the exclusive 126-room, 62,500 square-foot house could be missed by the hurricane. Some on social media have asked whether, in this case, it will be opened up to Floridians who lose their homes in the storm.
However, other models show Mar-a-Lago in Irma's path.
Donald Trump has not yet commented on the possibility his winter residence could be hit by Hurricane Irma - but he has recognised the threat of the storm and pledged full government support for those who will be affected.
Auto update
On
1:26AM
Trump declares emergencies
President Donald Trump has declared emergencies in Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as Hurricane Irma prepares for landfall.
The declarations authorize the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate disaster relief efforts in those places.
The dangerous Category 5 storm is wielding the most powerful winds ever recorded for a storm in the Atlantic Ocean. It is on a path that could take it toward Florida over the weekend.
Irma's size and strength put the entire state on notice Tuesday. Residents and visitors prepared to leave in anticipation of catastrophic winds and floods.
Puerto Rico's governor is also warning that the effects of Hurricane Irma could be catastrophic and calling the storm more dangerous than Hurricane Harvey.
TSgt Joe C. SFC William Farrell PO1 William "Chip" Nagel LTC Stephen F.] SGT Robert George SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas Maj Marty Hogan MSG Andrew White SGT (Join to see) SFC Dave Beran SGT Philip Roncari SPC Margaret Higgins MSgt Jason McClish SrA Christopher Wright SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM SP5 Michael Rathbun SGT Michael Thorin SFC Shirley Whitfield SSG Diane R.
British tourists are being brought back from the Caribbean after Hurricane Irma strengthened into a dangerous Category 5 storm.
The hurricane is moving toward the northeast Caribbean on a path that could take it to the United States.
The US National Hurricane Center said Irma had sustained winds of 175mph (280 kph) and was centered about 270 miles (440 kilometres) east of Antigua. It was moving west at 14 mph (22 kph).
A spokesman for the centre said there was a growing possibility that the storm's effects could be felt in Florida later this week and over the weekend, though it was still too early to be sure of its future track.
Irma became the strongest Atlantic hurricane ever recorded outside of the Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean.
It is the strongest of any Atlantic hurricanes since Rita in 2005.
"Everyone in hurricane-prone areas should ensure that they have their hurricane plan in place," the centre said.
Irma's was expected to move near or over the northern Leeward Islands late on Tuesday or early Wednesday.
The eye was then expected to pass about 50 miles (80km) from Puerto Rico late on Wednesday.
Hurricane Irma strengthens as gets close to Hurricane Irma strengthens as it barrels towards US
00:44
Experts warned the storm could dump up to 10 inches of rain, cause landslides and flash floods and generate waves of up to 23ft.
Shelves emptied at shops in Puerto Rico as officials began evacuations.
Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello said: "The decisions that we make in the next couple of hours can make the difference between life and death. This is an extremely dangerous storm."
Boats secured
Boats being secured in Guadeloupe
Residents on the US East Coast were urged to monitor the storm's progress in case it should turn northward toward Florida, Georgia or the Carolinas.
Evan Myers, chief operating officer of AccuWeather, said: "This hurricane has the potential to be a major event for the East Coast. It also has the potential to significantly strain governmental resources occurring so quickly on the heels of Hurricane Harvey."
Many are speculating as to whether Hurricane Irma, which is barrelling towards Florida, will hit Donald Trump's luxury coastal hotel.
Although the path of the category 4 or 5 hurricane is unclear, some models have it heading up to Florida by the weekend.
Mar-a-Lago, which the President has referred to as the Winter White House, appears to be in the path of the storm.
According to some forecasts, the exclusive 126-room, 62,500 square-foot house could be missed by the hurricane. Some on social media have asked whether, in this case, it will be opened up to Floridians who lose their homes in the storm.
However, other models show Mar-a-Lago in Irma's path.
Donald Trump has not yet commented on the possibility his winter residence could be hit by Hurricane Irma - but he has recognised the threat of the storm and pledged full government support for those who will be affected.
Auto update
On
1:26AM
Trump declares emergencies
President Donald Trump has declared emergencies in Florida, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands as Hurricane Irma prepares for landfall.
The declarations authorize the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to coordinate disaster relief efforts in those places.
The dangerous Category 5 storm is wielding the most powerful winds ever recorded for a storm in the Atlantic Ocean. It is on a path that could take it toward Florida over the weekend.
Irma's size and strength put the entire state on notice Tuesday. Residents and visitors prepared to leave in anticipation of catastrophic winds and floods.
Puerto Rico's governor is also warning that the effects of Hurricane Irma could be catastrophic and calling the storm more dangerous than Hurricane Harvey.
TSgt Joe C. SFC William Farrell PO1 William "Chip" Nagel LTC Stephen F.] SGT Robert George SMSgt Minister Gerald A. "Doc" Thomas Maj Marty Hogan MSG Andrew White SGT (Join to see) SFC Dave Beran SGT Philip Roncari SPC Margaret Higgins MSgt Jason McClish SrA Christopher Wright SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth SSG Derrick L. Lewis MBA, C-HRM SP5 Michael Rathbun SGT Michael Thorin SFC Shirley Whitfield SSG Diane R.
Hurricane Irma strengthens to Category 5, threatening Caribbean islands and Florida Keys
Posted from telegraph.co.ukPosted in these groups: 
Meteorology
Meteorology
Posted >1 y ago
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SGT Michael Thorin
Not a problem SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL, be the easiest thing I'll be asked to do today!
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SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL: THAT IS VERY SCARY FOR THE RESIDENTS WHO LIVE THERE, JOE. -Love, Margaret
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