Irma surges onward

Huge hurricane smashes into Puerto Rico on way to Florida

HURRICANE Irma, one of the most powerful Atlantic storms in a century, has howled by Puerto Rico after thrashing several smaller Caribbean islands with tree-snapping winds, drenching rains and pounding surf on a collision course with Florida.

At least four people were reportedly killed on four different islands by Irma, which weather forecasters say was a “potentially catastrophic” Category 5 storm, the highest possible classification.

The dual-island nation of Antigua and Barbuda was especially hard hit. The northernmost island, Barbuda, home to roughly 1800 people, was “totally demolished,” with 90 per cent of all dwellings levelled, Prime Minister Gaston Browne said. One person was confirmed dead.

A second storm-related fatality, that of a surfer, was reported on Barbados, and the French government said at least two people were killed in Caribbean island territories of Saint Martin and Saint Barthelemy.

Irma, with top sustained winds of 300km/h, was on track to reach Florida this weekend, becoming the second major hurricane to hit the US mainland in as many weeks. Irma is expected to remain at least a Category 4 before arriving in Florida.

Two other hurricanes have also formed. Katia in the Gulf of Mexico poses no threat to the US but Hurricane Jose, about 1610km east of the Caribbean’s Lesser Antilles islands, may threaten the US.

This all comes after Hurricane Harvey claimed about 60 lives and caused an estimated $US180 billion ($A225 billion) in damages after slamming into Texas and Louisiana.

An estimated 25,000 people or more have now left the Florida Keys after all tourists were ordered to leave.

“This thing is a buzz saw,” warned Colorado State University meteorology professor Phil Klotzbach. “I don’t see any way out of it.”