Irma - as it happened: Florida Governor Scott says 'last chance to make a good decision' and evacuate or seek shelter
More than six million people ordered to evacuate Florida as storm moves towards western coast - but all of the state will see winds of 80mph and above
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.Hurricane Irma is bearing down on Florida, after having wrought destruction in the Caribbean, killing at least 24 people.
Winds of up to 160mph smashed into Cuba's northern coast on Saturday hours after it was classified as a Category 5 storm.
Irma has now been downgraded to a Category 3, but is forecast to restrengthen once it moves away from Cuba, according to the US National Hurricane Centre.
Concerns are also mounting over Hurricane Jose, which is growing in strength and heading towards islands already devastated by Irma.
Florida is bracing for Irma to hit on Sunday morning. It is expected to bring massive wind and flooding damage to the fourth most populous US state.
Governor Rick Scott warned that Irma, the most powerful Atlantic Ocean hurricane in recorded history, is wider than the "entire state".
More than six million people - a quarter of the Florida's population - have been ordered to evacuate.
The Carolinas, Alabama and Georgia have also declared emergencies.
The storm, of "nuclear" ferocity, has already churned along a path through the Lesser Antilles, Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Cuba.
Irma's eye passed directly over the island of Barbuda, meaning its inhabitants were twice subjected to the fastest winds.
Heavy rain and howling winds raked the neighbouring island of Antigua, sending debris flying as people huddled in their homes or government shelters.
Officials had warned people to seek protection from Irma's "onslaught" in a statement that closed with: "May God protect us all."
Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson said the UK was "taking swift action to respond" to the disaster after speaking to the chief minister of Anguilla, a British overseas territory that was among the first islands to be hit.
Britons in the region have been urged to follow evacuation orders, while states of emergency have been declared in Puerto Rico, Cuba and Florida - amid fears Miami could be struck directly by the hurricane.
A British naval ship has been deployed to help deal with the aftermath with 40 Royal Marines on board, as well as army engineers and equipment, as authorities struggle to bring aid to smaller islands.
Our reporter in Miami has seen people getting anxious as they wait for petrol. Shortages are still an issue as the last of residents who are looking to evacuate do.
The National Hurricane Center has made no updates to Hurricane Irma's strength and expected path in its 2pm update.
The storm remains a Category 3 hurricane, slated to pass over the north coast of Cuba this afternoon and into the Florida Keys on Sunday morning. The storm will then make its way up the southwest coast of Florida.
The Center describes the storm as "life-threatening" and "destructive".
From the Associated Press, an update on Florida residents who do not plan to evacuate:
Luise Campana Read was one of those who chose to ignore warnings and stay in her home. She said by phone she planned to ride out the storm in her beachfront condo in Fort Lauderdale, with her elderly mother and other family members.
"With a 97-year-old, there was no way I was going to have her sleep on a cot or a blow-up mattress" in a shelter, she said.
Forecasters expect winds of more than 110mph (177kph) to hit the Florida Keys on Sunday
Hurricane Irma – which currently has wind speeds of 125mph (205kph) – is expected to make landfall in Florida three times, according to the National Hurricane Center.
It is forecasted to strike the Lower Keys, and then, after passing over the water, strike again in Cape Coral, Fort Myers, and the Tampa Bay region. It is then projected to briefly go back out to the Gulf of Mexico and hit north of Homosassa Springs.
A look at the waves in Key West ahead of Hurricane Irma, which is still over the north coast of Cuba.Thirty-six NAS Key West personnel are holed up at Category 5 rated facility. Major hurricane force winds are expected over the Florida Keys at daybreak.
Posted by U.S. Navy on 9/9/2017 6:25:36 PM
French ministers are stepping up security on the Caribbean islands of St Martin and St Barts after looting and gunshots were reported there.
A curfew has been imposed on both islands in the wake of Hurricane Irma. French Interior Minister Gerard Collomb is sending two extra gendarme squadrons and 150 soldiers to strengthen checkpoints and reassure the public.
One hundred fire fighters have also been sent to the islands.
Donald Trump is receiving regular briefings on Hurricanes Irma and Jose from Camp David, the White House has said.
The entire US Cabinet has joined Mr Trump at the Maryland retreat. They have received a briefing from Acting Department of Homeland Security Secretary Elaine Duke.
The White House said the President and First Lady are keeping the people impacted by Hurricanes Harvey and Irma in their thoughts and prayers, and urge everyone to listen to the safety instructions of local authorities.
Hurricane Irma is moving toward the north coast of Cuba, the National Hurricane Center reports.
The storm is currently 140 miles (225 km) southeast of Key West, Florida. It is moving west at 9 mph (14 kph), and is expected to make landfall in Florida on Sunday morning.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments