Hurricane Irma

Hurricane Irma reached category 5 status Tuesday morning with max sustained winds at 175mph and wind gusts over 200mph. Hurricane warnings are in place for the northern Leeward Islands along with Puerto Rico. The Bermuda High in the Atlantic is blocking an eastward turn for the hurricane. Irma is moving west currently at 14mph but is forecast to turn to the WNW by this evening.

Right now the forecast track is for the hurricane to make it to Puerto Rico by early Thursday morning, to the Bahamas by late Friday and early Saturday, and then near the Cuba and south Florida by Sunday morning. While sustained wind speeds at 175mph are very dangerous, there are many other dangerous impacts that Irma brings. Rainfall totals at 4-8 inches and localized amounts around 12" bring the threat for flash floods and mudslides. Storm surge and strong and rough surf also lead to dangerous situations with strong rip currents and high surf possible.

Model guidance still does not agree on a path for Florida, with some models steering this powerful hurricane along the Gulf coast of Florida, some right up through central Florida, and others taking it along the east coast. Right now a State of Emergency has been issued for the state of Florida. Florida residents should begin to prepare now.

For more information on Hurricane Irma, along with current updates click here.