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.
Good morning,
This is Will, I’ll be manning The Independent’s live blog today as Hurricane Irma – now reclassified as a Category 5 storm – bears down on Florida.
The rhetoric from officials about this storm has been apocalyptic, and five million Floridians have been ordered to evacuate, in preparation for severe damage in the state.
Meanwhile, to the south east, Hurricane Jose is gaining strength. Meteorologists fear it could soon turn into a Category 5 storm, as it menaces islands already smashed by Irma.
Cuba has been bearing the brunt of Hurricane Irma most recently. It is the first time the country has been hit by a Category 5 storm since 1924.
The storm moved over the northern Camaguey Archipelago overnight, blowing winds of up to 160mph.
Despite the severity of the storm, a tourist visiting the country told the BBC people stayed calm and checked on their neighbours.
Some good news for Mexico - Hurricane Katia weakened to a tropical storm when it made landfall north of Tecolutla, Veracruz, last night with winds of 45mph.
An update from Reuters on Storm Katia, which made landfall in Vercaruz, Mexico last night. While it weakened from a hurricane to a storm, there are fears the rain it will bring could cause flooding and landslides. The area has already seen significant rainfall in recent weeks, and the ground is saturated in some places.
Mexico is also dealing with the aftermath of a powerful 8.1 magnitude earthquake which struck on Friday and killed at least 32 people.
Hurricane Jose, a Category 4 storm, is tracking towards the Northern Leeward Islands, the National Hurricane Centre has said. The islands have already suffered significant damage under Hurricane Irma.
Strong winds are already blowing on the Florida Keys. Residents have been ordered to evacuate, and warned by forecasters that "nowhere is safe" on the islands.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments