Tag: Irma

Residents return to storm-ravaged Florida Keys

by Leila Macor Agence France Presse ISLAMORADA, United States (AFP) — Residents of the storm-ravaged Florida Keys discovered scenes of desolation as they returned home Tuesday as officials launched a massive operation to restore electricity to millions of people still without power in three southern US states. Shattered mobile homes, grounded sailboats and jumbled mounds of debris greeted Keys residents as police began lifting roadblocks to the islands following the passage of Hurricane Irma. “We […]

Continue Reading →

Trump to view Irma damage in Florida Thursday

WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — President Donald Trump will travel to storm-battered Florida on Thursday to survey damage caused by Hurricane Irma, the White House said. The White House has been keen to show that Trump is on top of coordinating the federal response to hurricanes Irma and Harvey — which earlier this month flooded Houston, Texas. Trump traveled twice to Texas in the wake of that storm and now looks set to visit Florida. […]

Continue Reading →

Millions without power in Florida as deadly Irma ploughs north

by Leila Macor with Sebastien Blanc in Naples, Florida Agence France-Presse MIAMI, United States (AFP) — Millions of Florida residents were without power Tuesday as the remnants of Hurricane Irma spun northwest into the US mainland, drenching the region and causing rivers to overflow. Most of the Sunshine State however appeared to have dodged forecasts of catastrophic damage despite dire early warnings. But Irma’s overall death toll jumped to at least 40 after Cuba reported […]

Continue Reading →

Irma downgraded to Tropical Storm, still considered dangerous for State of Georgia

  By Karen May Mendoza Eagle News Service ATLANTA, Georgia (Eagle News) – As Irma moved north towards Georgia, Alabama, and South Carolina, the hurricane has been downgraded to a tropical storm. But due to the estimated 60mph winds expected, it is still extremely dangerous. Governor Nathan Deal declared a State of Emergency for all Georgia counties on Sunday, September 10, 2017, prompting schools and government buildings to be closed on Monday, September 11. MARTA, […]

Continue Reading →

Hurricane Irma downgraded to Category 1, to weaken further as it moves over Western Florida — NHC

  (Eagle News) – Irma has now been downgraded into a Category 1 hurricane as it continued to weaken while moving over the Western Florida Peninsula, according to the United States’ National Hurricane Center (NHC) In its 2 a.m. EDT Monday, (2 p.m. Manila time) Sept. 11 update, NHC said that Irma’s sustained winds are only about 85 miles per hour. In its latest update, NHC said: “IRMA WEAKENING AS IT MOVES OVER THE WESTERN […]

Continue Reading →

Economic cost of Harvey, Irma could be $290 billion

  WASHINGTON, United States (AFP) — The combined economic cost of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma could reach $290 billion, equivalent to 1.5 percent of the US gross domestic product, US forecaster AccuWeather said in a report Sunday. “We believe the damage estimate from Irma to be about $100 billion, among the costliest hurricanes of all time,” said the firm’s CEO and founder Joel Myers. Harvey, which battered Texas and parts of Louisiana in late August, […]

Continue Reading →

Irma makes landfall for 2nd time in Florida, eye passes over Naples; now a Category 2 hurricane

  (Eagle News) — Hurricane Irma made landfall for a second time near Marco Island in Florida  and is now near Naples where dangerous storm surges are expected, according to the latest update from the National Hurricane Center. Because of its encounter in the Florida landmass, it has weakened and is now a Category 2 storm. As of 5 pm in Florida Sunday, Sept. 10 (5 a.m. Monday Sept 11 Manila time), the center of […]

Continue Reading →

After landfall, Irma heading for Southwest Florida Coast as winds continue to increase — NHC

  (Eagle News) – Category 4 Hurricane Irma is now “headed for the Southwest Florida Coast” as of 11 a.m. EDT (11 p.m. Philippine time) with maximum sustained winds of about 130 miles per hour, and the winds will still “continue to increase,” according to the latest update from the United States’ National Hurricane Center. An hour earlier, at 10 a.m. EDT Sunday, September 10,NHC said that Irma’s eye is now “beginning to move away […]

Continue Reading →

Irma now whipping Florida; NHC warns of “life-threatening” winds, storm surges, floods

  (Eagle News) – Hurricane Irma — which has already killed 24 people in the Caribbean region — is now bearing down on Florida as the northern eyewall of this monstrous Category 4 hurricane is now affecting the Lower Florida Keys as of 7 a.m. EDT (7 p.m. Philippine time) on Sunday, Sept. 10, according to the latest update from the US’ National Hurricane Center (NHC). “NORTHERN EYEWALL OF IRMA REACHES THE LOWER FLORIDA KEYS… […]

Continue Reading →

Irma strengthens to Category 4 Hurricane as it nears Florida Keys: NHC

MIAMI, United States (AFP) — Hurricane Irma strengthened to a Category 4 storm as it closed in on the island chain known as the Florida Keys, the US National Hurricane Center said early Sunday. The storm was churning about 70 miles (115 kilometers) south-southeast of Key West, menacing Florida with maximum sustained winds of 130 miles per hour. Its eye was expected to cross the Lower Florida Keys within hours before moving “near or along” […]

Continue Reading →

Irma weakens to Category 4 hurricane as it heads for Florida

HAVANA, Cuba (AFP) — Hurricane Irma weakened slightly to a Category 4 storm early Saturday, according to the US National Hurricane Center, after making landfall hours earlier in Cuba with maximum-strength Category 5 winds. The fierce storm was zeroing in on Florida, churning some 245 miles (395 kilometers) away from Miami and packing still powerful maximum sustained winds of 155 miles per hour. “Some fluctuations in intensity are likely during the next day or two, […]

Continue Reading →

5.6 million Floridians ordered to evacuate as Irma closes in: emergency officials

MIAMI, Florida (AFP) — Florida has ordered 5.6 million people to evacuate as massive Hurricane Irma menaces the southeastern US state, according to its Division of Emergency Management. Irma regained strength as a Category 5 storm late Friday as it made landfall on the Camaguey Archipelago of Cuba, and is now swirling about 275 miles (440 kilometers) away from Miami packing maximum sustained winds of 160 miles per hour. Irma is expected to strike the […]

Continue Reading →
1 2 3