This article was posted on: Monday, Sept. 05, 2017.
Hurricane Irma is now a Category 4 storm. Florida declares a state of emergency, and Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands have issued hurricane warnings.
- Hurricane Irma continues heading west, approaching Leeward Islands
- Irma has winds of 140 mph
- FULL COVERAGE: Storm Season 2017: Forecast models, links and resources
The storm is about 410 miles east of the Leeward Islands. Maximum sustained winds are up to 140 mph.
We're confident that the storm will track just north of Puerto, Dominican Republic, Haiti and Cuba.
After that it's difficult to know where the storm will track.
Still, Gov. Scott has declared a state of emergency for Florida, to get the state ready for Irma.
"Hurricane Irma is a major and life-threatening storm and Florida must be prepared. I have continued to be briefed by the Florida Division of Emergency Management on Hurricane Irma and current forecast models have Florida in Irma’s path – potentially impacting millions of Floridians. Today, given these forecasts and the intensity of this storm, I have declared a state of emergency for every county in Florida to make certain that state, federal and local governments are able to work together and make sure resources are dispersed to local communities as we get prepared for this storm.
"In Florida, we always prepare for the worst and hope for the best and while the exact path of Irma is not absolutely known at this time, we cannot afford to not be prepared. This state of emergency allows our emergency management officials to act swiftly in the best interest of Floridians without the burden of bureaucracy or red tape."
Irma is moving toward the west near 13 mph. The storm is expected to continue on this path, with a turn west-northwestward late Tuesday. The minimum pressure is now at 943 mb.
Hurricane Watches and Warnings are in effect for:
- The Leeward Islands
- Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis
- Saba, St. Eustatius and Sint Maarten
- Saint Martin and Saint Barthelemy
- British Virgin Islands
- U.S. Virgin Islands
- Puerto Rico
Hurricane force winds extend outward to about 45 miles from the center and tropical storm force winds extend outward up to 140 miles from the center.
Irma could also bring dangerous winds, storm surge, and significant rainfall impacts.
The latest model runs continue to keep it on the west northwest track through the end of the week.
If Irma were to reach Central Florida, it wouldn’t be until the weekend. It is still too early to tell if it will take a more northward track before reaching us.
The peak of the hurricane season is Sept. 10, and the Atlantic basin looks a bit busy over the next couple of weeks.
The 2017 Atlantic hurricane season runs through Nov. 30.
