One of the most devastating and unpredictable storms of the last decade battered the Leeward, lesser Antilles and the Caribbean Islands and is now heading straight for US.
The peak of the hurricane will be in Florida, but a natural disaster will also affect Georgia, South and part of North Carolina in these regions is expected to wind destructive power and super-strong precipitation and floods. Local residents should not delay the preparations for the hurricane.
The more Northern States, starting in Virginia, expect heavy rainfall and their associated attributes in the form of floods and landslides.
At the moment the element is rampant in Cuba, and its capacity has reached the 5th category on the Saffir-Simpson scale.
#BREAKING: Hurricane Irma is making landfall in Cuba as a Category 5 hurricane. https://t.co/2Q8QnYJZxB pic.twitter.com/ZmzkfW6VX4
— AccuWeather (@breakingweather) September 9, 2017
Florida is next in line. It will take a major hit already in the night from Saturday to Sunday. Experts predict that reaching the Florida Keys, Irma will maintain maximum power.
«The destruction will be extensive. Irma will be the worst hurricane since Andrew swept Florida in 1992», says founder and President of Accuweather, Dr. Joel N. Myers.
However, the attacking threat is superior to Andrew and the rest of their predecessors on the combination of intensity and duration. Irma has set a new world record, keeping wind speed of 197.7 km/h for 37 hours.
Before the palm belonged to Typhoon Haiyan, which in 2013 was passed over the Philippines — then the wind of the same power lasted 24 hours.
Save yourselves — this expression is best suited to describe the situation in Florida. About 500 thousand local residents flee from the zone of destruction, creating huge traffic jams, while the authorities announced the forced evacuation of the Florida Keys, Miami and the Islands of Hilton head, South Carolina.
Governor Rick Scott convinces the islanders to immediately leave the area and not risk their lives and the lives of loved ones.
If you are in the Keys, I am urging you to leave right now. Do not risk your life or the lives of your loved ones — get out now.
— Rick Scott (@FLGovScott) September 9, 2017
In General, the evacuation call for 5.6 million people, i.e. 25% of the population.
At the National center for monitoring hurricanes suggest not to focus on the immediate trajectory of Irma, since it will have a huge impact and beyond.
Don’t focus on the exact track of Hurricane Irma! This is powerful, enormous storm & will likely affect everyone in Florida! Prepare now! pic.twitter.com/g2P6L8gTLq
— NWS Melbourne (@NWSMelbourne) September 8, 2017
According to preliminary estimates, Accueather, the economic damage from a hurricane will amount to 50-100 billion dollars. If it passes directly over Miami, then the amount will be more.
