09-07-2017, 01:18 AM
Hurricane Irma: devastation in Puerto Rico as 'superstorm' heads to Florida – live
Quote:7.44pm 19:44
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- Hurricane Irma is the most powerful storm ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean and traveled across the northern Caribbean toward the US mainland on Wednesday.
- In Puerto Rico, 600,000 people are without power and nearly 50,000 are without water.
- Massive property destruction and at least one death have been confirmed on the island of Barbuda.
- Irma made landfall on the French-governed islands of St Martin and St Barthélemy, and the damage is expected to be serious, including at least two deaths.
- Hurricane Jose also formed in the open Atlantic, and Hurricane Katia formed in the Gulf off the coast of Mexico.
- Mandatory evacuations are underway in the small Caribbean islands that make up the Florida Keys.
- The US National Hurricane Center in Miami warned late Wednesday that it is increasingly likely Irma will strike southern Florida, home to 7 million people, by Sunday afternoon.
- Donald Trump has declared states of emergency in Florida, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands.
- Florida suffered from long lines at gas stations and fuel and supply shortages on Wednesday.
7.15pm 19:15
The threat of “direct hurricane impacts” from Irma in Florida over the weekend has increased, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center (NHC). Hurricane watches remain in effect for the northwestern Bahamas and much of Cuba, and “life-threatening wind, storm surge, and rainfall hazards” are expected in Puerto Rico Thursday night, according to the NHC.
Quote:NHC Atlantic Ops (@NHC_Atlantic)
Here are the latest Key Messages for #Irma advisory 31 https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb pic.twitter.com/ITcfpoJnvJ
September 6, 2017
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7.05pm 19:05
Puerto Rico damage: 600,000 lose power
More than 600,000 people are without power and nearly 50,000 without water in Puerto Rico, according to officials. A total of 14 hospitals have also lost power so far, forcing them to use generators, the AP reports.
Abner Gomez, director of Puerto Rico’s emergency management agency, said the eye of Irma is expected to be 35 miles away from San Juan right around now, at 7pm local time. He said wind gusts could reach 100 mph (160 km/h).
Here’s some recent footage:
Quote:Dánica Coto (@danicacoto)
Irma approaches Puerto Rico. Cat 5 storm will be 35 miles from San Juan at around 7 pm EST. Nearly 650K w/out power; 47K w/out water pic.twitter.com/hDWCKo3kQi
September 6, 2017
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6.48pm 18:48
The US state department has ordered federal government personnel in the Bahamas to leave the Caribbean islands ahead of Irma, the Associated Press is reporting. The department has also warned Americans to reconsider any planned travel to the region.
The government ordered non-essential staff and family of American employees at the US embassy in Nassau, the capital, to depart Irma. The department previously said it would pay for US personnel and family members to leave Cuba, Haiti and the Dominican Republic.
Here’s one recent image of the storm as it stays north of Puerto Rico and heads towards the Bahamas:
Quote:Howard Bernstein (@hbwx)
the worst of #Irma will stay north of Puerto Rico, but Turks & Caicos and Bahamas are next targets. @wusa9 @TenaciousTopper @MelissaNordWx pic.twitter.com/On9pgHoVEV
September 6, 2017
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6.25pm 18:25
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has said in a new statement that people’s immigration status would not affect Irma rescue efforts:
Quote:When it comes to rescuing people in the wake of Hurricane Irma, immigration status is not and will not be a factor. However, the laws will not be suspended, and we will be vigilant against any effort by criminals to exploit disruptions caused by the storm.The statement said that for US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the highest priorities “are to promote life-saving and life-sustaining activities, the safe evacuation of people who are leaving the impacted area, the maintenance of public order, the prevention of the loss of property to the extent possible, and the speedy recovery of the region”.
DHS sent the press release hours after a Florida sheriff faced widespread backlash for tweets saying law enforcement would arrest people seeking shelter if they had outstanding warrants.
Immigrants currently jailed in detention centers in the projected path of the hurricane have been transferred to other facilities, the statement added.
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6.06pm 18:06
The eye of Hurricane Irma is not far from San Juan, though some reports suggest it will miss the capital of Puerto Rico.
Quote:Michael Lowry (@MichaelRLowry)
The eye of still Cat 5 Hurricane #Irma now only 55 mi east-northeast of San Juan, Puerto Rico. A rare, impressive, and dangerous sight. pic.twitter.com/6LsAWut7Xw
September 6, 2017
Quote:Bill Karins (@BillKarins)
Mercifully #Irma eye of Cat 5 winds will miss #SanJuan & #PuertoRico. Cat 1-2 damage expected pic.twitter.com/oaEPpHyYXl
September 6, 2017
Quote:NBC Nightly News (@NBCNightlyNews)
Stunning photo from a US Air Force Reserve Hurricane Hunters plane shows the sun over the "stadium effect" created by Hurricane #Irma's eye. pic.twitter.com/7ys7bT06of
September 6, 2017
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5.53pm 17:53
One death confirmed in Barbuda
Hurricane Irma has caused at least one death on the island of Barbuda, government officials have confirmed. Earlier, officials said 90% of structures on Barbuda were destroyed.
Midcie Francis, spokesperson for National Office of Disaster Services for Antigua and Barbuda, said there has been massive destruction on the island of roughly 1,700 people, the AP is reporting.
Lionel Hurst, the prime minister’s chief of staff, said: “A significant number of the houses have been totally destroyed.”
Quote:Evan McMurry (@evanmcmurry)
Winds on Barbuda were so strong this morning the anemometer, the instrument measuring them, broke: https://t.co/cNHVhF4vNF pic.twitter.com/zCyC9O0p6Q
September 6, 2017
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5.32pm 17:32
Macron: "Toll will be harsh and cruel"
French president Emmanuel Macron provided an update from a crisis center set up Wednesday night, saying it’s too early to offer precise figures about the damage, but “the toll will be harsh and cruel”.
Macron said he expects heavy damages and victims will be discovered when Hurricane Irma has left the islands of St Martin and St Barthélemy, the AP reported: “The material damage on both islands is considerable.”
Quote:AccuWeather (@accuweather)
This incredible video shows conditions on the island of St. Martin during Hurricane #Irma this morning. pic.twitter.com/6YeWdd6ieF
September 6, 2017
Updated at 5.33pm EDT
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5.14pm 17:14
Hurricane Jose forms in Atlantic
Sam Levin
Sam Levin here taking over our live coverage of Irma. Hurricane Jose has officially formed in the open mid-Atlantic ocean, heading for the Caribbean.
Quote:Jose poses no immediate threats to land, the US National Hurricane Center said on Wednesday. Jose has winds of 75 mph (120 km/h) and is quickly strengthening, the AP reported, noting that the storm’s path could change.NBC Nightly News (@NBCNightlyNews)
JUST IN: Hurricane #Jose forms behind Hurricane #Irma in the mid-Atlantic, NHC says. pic.twitter.com/4s2qFJlhTX
September 6, 2017
Hurricane Katia has also formed in the Gulf of the coast of Mexico with 75 mph winds. Officials in Mexico have issued a hurricane watch for the coast of the state of Veracruz from Tuxpan to Laguna Verde, according to the AP. Katia is expected to drift toward the coast on Thursday.