Hurricane Irma is 'wider than our entire state', warns Florida governor
The storm has already ripped through the Caribbean, devastating Barbuda and Puerto Rico
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Florida Governor Rick Scott has warned that Hurricane Irma "is wider than our entire state and is expected to cause major and life-threatening impacts from coast to coast". The state is approximately 360 miles (580 km) wide.
Winds are expected to reach up to 155 mph (250 kmh).
He warned Florida residents to evacuate to safer areas and shelters and that the state "can rebuild your homes, we cannot rebuild your life".
Mr Scott has repeatedly addressed the public since the path of Irma became clear. The hurricane, a Category 5, has already devastated Caribbean islands like Barbuda and left more than a million people without power in Puerto Rico. The death toll has reached 19.
Speakig on Friday morning, he cautioned citizens on the state's west coast not to become "complacent" even the brunt of the storm is expected over the Florida Keys, a chain of islands off the southern tip, and east coast.
Mr Scott said state officials are aware of "problems with the fuel supply," particularly in the southern counties of the state where people have been told to evacuate.
As of 7 September almost a third of gas stations along that part of the east coast had run out of fuel. There were also several stations that did not have power.
He advised people to use the GasBuddy app in order to track where they can get fuel, but only take as much as they need in order to get to a safe location.
Though, part of the problem is the massive evacuation taking place the other is that Hurricane Harvey just inundated Texas refineries that supplied Florida.
According to the Wall Street Journal, Florida normally keeps a seven day supply of petrol on hand "and shipments are still coming in: Tankers are unloading at ports like Tampa, and barges are travelling along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway".
However, trucks are experiencing long delays at fuel racks and preventing them from delivering to gas stations around the state.
The fear of what is predicted to be one of the most powerful storms in US history has caused a state-wide panic to buy gasoline because the path of the storm, though expected to be on the east coast, could change.
To alleviate some of the massive traffic jams on northbound highways, all tolls have been suspended and the governor said fuel trucks are getting police escorts to ensure smoother and quicker travel to refuel petrol stations where it is needed the most.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments