Hurricane Irma now powerful Category 5 storm, Florida declares state of emergency

[riversedge]

Source: foxnews.com





Published September 05, 2017

Hurricane Irma continued to strengthen Tuesday as an "extremely dangerous" Category 5 storm, prompting states of emergency in Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Florida, sending residents to stores to prepare for the worst.

Irma's maximum sustained winds had increased to near 175 mph, and the storm was located about 270 miles east of Antigua, moving west at 14 mph, the National Hurricane Center said in its 8 a.m. ET advisory.
This Monday, Sept. 4, 2017, satellite image provided by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows Hurricane Irma nearing the eastern Caribbean. Hurricane Irma grew into a powerful Category 4 storm Monday. (NOAA via AP) Expand / Collapse


"Some fluctuations in intensity are likely during the next day
or two, but Irma is forecast to remain a powerful Category 4
hurricane," the NHC said..................................

Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2017/09/05/hurricane-irma-now-powerful-category-5-storm-florida-declares-state-emergency.html

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[Richard D]

1. Damn. (nt)

[democratisphere]

2. Time to head for the hills!

[riversedge]

5. esp. in low lying areas--like most of Florida!

[Nay]

6. I've been trying to get my brother to leave FL now -- Irma's a monster.

[RKP5637]

3. Getting scary as hell!!! n/t

[dalton99a]

4. Kick

[Coventina]

7. Still wondering why Fla. is panicking. I was told here on DU that, unlike Houston,

Florida has strict building codes regarding building in flood-prone areas.

[brooklynite]

9. Building codes or not, the water has to go somewhere.

[Coventina]

13. Huh. You'd never guess that judging by the smug responses on that thread.

Many posters were pretty confident that Houston was uniquely stupid and vulnerable.

[Lars39]

14. Discounting flooding, that speed of wind, with possible spin-off tornadoes, can easily flatten

buildings.

[Coventina]

15. I am assured by DUers that building codes can protect against that!

In fact, one boasted that his were up to code and people who didn't follow the code got what they deserved!!!

[Lars39]

17. Well, sounds like you realize that codes are needed *and* that there are winds

that are beyond what codes can do to protect.

[Coventina]

18. Yes. I'm hoping some of those holier (safer?)-than-thou types will show up

and explain why Florida should be worried.

Because, by golly, according to them, Houstonians got exactly what they deserved!

[Lars39]

19. Horrible sentiment, isn't it.

[Coventina]

20. Yes, especially on a liberal board.

[Lars39]

21. Ayup :-(. nt

[brooklynite]

8. The good news...

...is that the current track will apparently pass SOUTH of Florida and north of Cuba.



The BAD news is that the track will take it into the Gulf of Mexico (and towards Texas) without any loss of strength from passing over land.

[DK504]

11. I don't think it will track so far up north.

It will continue on it basic path. I think I'm gonna be sick.

[DK504]

10. At least this governor has declared well before

she hits. Tex-ass gov. waited.

Maybe all governors should demand all gas truck from all gasoline companies fill their trucks to capacity and line them sup so they aren't allowed to begin the gouging ahead of time like they did for Harvey.

Gas went up .30 overnight days before he hit. Isn't there a law about gouging?

[turbinetree]

12. Now that Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, and other right wing held states may

be impacted by this next event called Irma....................

Lets take a look at the hypocrisy from the past as a reminder of what happens when you have shit for brains in power

https://thinkprogress.org/31-senate-republicans-opposed-sandy-relief-after-supporting-disaster-aid-for-home-states-1ea0a82683e0/


And lets not forget the hedge funds and the other financial institutions and what is happening in Puerto Rico, U.S Virgin Islands

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/jul/28/hedge-funds-puerto-rico-close-schools-fire-teachers-pay-us-back

[nmgaucho]

16. I lived in Puerto Rico when Hugo hit back in 89'

It looks like Irma will be even worse, que tengas suerte Boricuas. Hopefully it takes a turn north

[FakeNoose]

22. It's another 500-year storm, and it's only been 2 weeks

I think NOAA needs to revise their standards for 500-year storms.

Just sayin'



Good luck to everyone in Irma's path! Stay Safe!

[littlemissmartypants]

23. Thanks for this, riversedge.

November can't come fast enough. I'm sick of and over the extreme tropical weather already and we're just getting started. Sigh.

♡lmsp