And it could even strengthen back into a Category 5.īut don’t focus so much on the category number, which is determined solely by wind speed: It’s the combination of wind, storm surge, rain, flooding, and even the possibility of tornadoes that are the biggest concern for much of the Florida peninsula. That would make it one of the most powerful hurricanes to land in the state. The National Hurricane Center projects that Irma will be Category 4 when it hits Florida. #Irma /JI0mroXcGR- Ryan Maue September 9, 2017
Model forecast wind gusts are consistent w/Category 4 hurricane up entire Florida peninsula. "You need to leave right now - not tonight, not in an hour, now,” Florida Governor Rick Scott said in a Saturday morning presser. Roughly 5.6 million have been asked to evacuate their homes in the state due to the storm. Tropical storm and hurricane-strength conditions are expected to begin in Florida around 2 pm on Saturday and continue into Sunday. Mandatory evacuations have been issued for Collier County around Naples, Hillsborough County around Tampa, and the Keys. Originally, Miami was expected to bear the brunt of the storm once it hit Florida - but by Saturday morning, the storm’s trajectory had shifted westward, with Tampa, the Gulf Coast, and other parts of South Florida (including the Florida Keys) in line for the worst effects. But don’t let that fool you: The National Hurricane Center believes that it will speed back up when it leaves Cuba before it makes landfall on the Florida Keys (expected on Sunday morning).
Now, Irma has weakened a bit to a Category 3 storm, slowing over Cuba to 125 mph. And Irma was a Category 5 storm for around 3 days - which is also nearly a record. Not all will be open during Hurricane Irma and residents are advised to wait for the official word before heading to a shelter.Hurricane Irma is already one for the record books.Įarlier in the week, Irma sustained 185 mph winds for more than 24 hours, a record length of time for a hurricane in the Atlantic. Here is a list of shelters that have been used in the past. An announcement is expected early Thursday. "Nobody knows more about hurricanes so people should take comfort in that while at the same time remaining on high alert and preparing accordingly."ĭecisions on which shelters to open will be made based on storm data. "We've probably had more hurricanes in the state of Florida than anyplace else in the country," Desjarlais said. "More importantly, if you don't have to be out on the road during any kind of impact don't be out there on the road"Ĭounty transportation department crews have been out inspecting the canals, culverts and other components of the stormwater control system are cleared of debris to control flooding.īut in the end, Lee County is appealing to its citizens to take the precautions that previous experience in hurricanes has taught to be appropriate. "Florida statute, when the traffic light is out,treat it as a four-way stop we have to exercise a little bit of safety, a little bit of courtesy, a little bit of caution," Drzymala said.
The sheriff's office is also advising people to be careful when they come to an intersection where the traffic signal lights are not working. "We don't want people driving somewhere they shouldn't be." "Prior to any landfall or any impact we'd just like people to pay attention to the flood and the flood waters," said Sheriff's Office Lt. The Lee County Sheriff's Office urged caution and common sense on the roads. The United Way 2-1-1 line has been activated to take calls from the public in need of services. "Not every shelter will be open, but when we make that decision we'll push that out as quickly as possible.ĭesjarlais said that if he was packing his family up to evacuate now, he'd tell them to head north "until you find a hotel room where you feel you will be safe." "Not all shelters on our list open for every storm, we make those shelter opening decisions based on factors like wind, like storm surge like population, people moving," Mayfield said.
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