Down in Houston, we’re still dealing with the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. And as bad as that storm was, Irma seems set on outdoing Harvey in every single aspect.
This monster storm has demolished everything in its path and it’s far from finished. Irma is headed straight for Florida like its intentionally trying to rid us of the sunshine state. Late Saturday, Irma is expected to make landfall on Florida’s southernmost peninsula.
The National Hurricane Center’s current projections:
Now a category 4 storm, Irma has left parts of Cuba and the Caribbean in ruins. From the NYT:
Hurricane Irma pounded the Bahamas and the northern part of Cuba on Friday evening, before cycling toward Florida. It is expected to hit there late Saturday with wind speeds powerful enough to snap trees and power poles and tear the roofs off buildings. And Gov. Rick Scott said the lower half of Florida could face life threatening storm surge as early as Saturday morning.Irma, a Category 4 storm, caused flooding in Cuba’s northeast on Friday and continued to move along the nation’s northern coastline, according to the National Hurricane Center.In the Caribbean, where more that 20 people were killed, residents in Barbuda and St. Martin, islands that suffered excessive damage from Irma, wearily prepared for Hurricane José. The Category 4 storm that could hit those islands within the next two days.In Florida, officials urged hundreds of thousands of people in the hurricane’s projected path to evacuate and to not underestimate the power of Irma. Governor Scott said it would be “way bigger than Andrew,” referring to the 1992 storm that was the most destructive hurricane to hit the state.
Everyone from Alabama to North Carolina is on alert and have been told to prepare for hurricane conditions. Florida’s Keys have been warned of “life-threatening inundation,” reports the NYT.
We’ve included a few livestreams that should have the latest on all things Irma. As more live sources become available, we’ll add them beneath as well.
Florida is about to take what’s predicted to be one of the worst weather beatings we’ve witnessed. Watching Houston come together in the wake of Harvey gave me hope that our best days remain ahead, despite what media and politics suggest.
We pray fervently for everyone in Irma’s path. I’m sure if you’re like us, you have loved ones or know people who are potentially imperiled or maybe you’re hunkering down with ammo, tuna, and loads of bottled water. If that’s you, know you’re in our prayers. We pray for safety and grace to weather the storm.
Follow Kemberlee on Twitter @kemberleekaye
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