Hurricane Irma, dubbed as the most powerful and dangerous storm ever recorded in history, has made its landfall in Camaguey Archipelago of Cuba on Friday evening with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center.
After being downgraded to Category 4 storm, Hurricane Irma strengthens back to Category 5 storm on early Friday as it hits Cuba. This is the first time in history that a Category 5 Storm hit Cuba. The eye of the storm was about 190km (120 miles) east-southeast of the Cuban fishing town of Caibarien. With strong winds and heavy rains, it is expected to cause flash floods and encouraged the residents to evacuate and be prepared.
A hurricane warning is currently in effect in the provinces of Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Sancti Spiritus, Villa Clara and Matanzas.
Florida is getting ready as Hurricane Irma expected to make its landfall on Sunday
The residents of Florida, around 5.6 million which is a one-quarter equivalent of the state's population, are getting now being ordered to evacuate as Hurricane Irma is forecasted to make its landfall on Sunday. It is expected to bring heavy rains with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph bringing it back to Category 5 storm. The National Hurricane Center issued its first hurricane warnings for Florida overnight, warning residents that "preparations to protect life should be rushed to completion." The governor of Florida, Rick Scott, has issued a warning on Friday quoted as "If you are planning to leave and do not leave tonight, you will have to ride out this extremely dangerous storm at your own risk."
Government orders a mandatory evacuation for barrier islands, coastal communities, low-lying areas, and mobile homes across Florida, including the counties of Brevard, Broward, Collier, Indian River, Martin, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Palm Beach and St.
John. This is for the preparation and to minimize the damages as Hurricane Irma is coming.
Damages caused by Hurricane Irma
Rescues continued in parts of the Caribbean on Friday, after powerful Hurricane Irma swept through the region and left devastation in its wake on the way to Florida leaving at least 23 confirmed deaths according to report.
Also, it is reported that 90% of the properties were destroyed to other affected areas, cutting off power to more than 1 million people for its own safety leaving them devastated with no food, water, clothing and other necessities for the affected areas.
