HURRICANE’S FORCE
Hurricane Irma smashed into the U.S. mainland Sunday, bringing with it 210 km/h winds and leaving an estimated three million people in Florida without power. The storm has forced one of the largest evacuations in U.S. history.
MILLIONS WITHOUT POWER AS HURRICANE IRMA ROARS THROUGH FLORIDA
Hurricane Irma smashed into the U.S. mainland Sunday, bringing with it 210 km/h winds that killed several people, flooded parts of downtown Miami, and left an estimated two million people in Florida without power.
The mammoth 640-kilometrewide storm barrelled its way into the Florida Keys at breakfast time, ripping roofs off trailers, flattening palm trees, and hurling road signs through the air, after leaving a trail of devastation in the Caribbean where at least 25 people died.
The storm has forced one of the largest evacuations in U.S. history with Florida officials ordering more than 6.5 million residents to leave their homes.
Rick Scott, Florida’s governor, said, “Pray, pray for everybody in Florida.”
He added, “We need volunteers, nurses. I hope everybody will pray for us. We can pray, that’s the biggest thing we can do.”
As the storm ripped through Miami, waist-deep water surged through streets at least three blocks from the shore. Roads in the downtown area were turned into rivers as water raced between office buildings and blocks of flats, while street signs swung crazily.
A giant crane collapsed and was left dangling perilously over a partially constructed highrise building. The crane was one of more than 20 in Miami that could not be dismantled in time and there were fears others could come crashing down.
Miami’s deputy fire chief, Joseph Zahralban, said people in nearby structures should move somewhere safe but there was nothing else emergency services could do to help.
“The weather has deteriorated to the point where we’re not comfortable even sending anybody out to even evaluate the situation. So our only concern right now is the protection of life, not property,” he said.
One woman in Miami had to deliver her own baby girl during the storm as emergency services were unable to reach her.
A fire service spokesman said: “We weren’t able to respond. Dispatch told her how to do it and she’s stable at home.”
Among at least three people reported dead as Irma hit was sheriff ’s deputy Julie Bridges, who died alongside another person in a car crash about 100 kilometres from Sarasota.
In a separate accident, a man lost control of a truck in strong winds in Key West.
Irma made landfall in Florida on Sunday morning at Cudjoe Key with sustained winds of 210 km/h, the National Hurricane Center said. It was expected to bring up to 65 centimetres of rain in some parts of the Keys.
More than a quarter of Florida’s population had been ordered evacuated — amid warnings they would be “on their own” if they stayed.
Of those who stayed, 100,000 were in shelters, but some chose to remain in their own homes.
Explaining why he stayed in Key West, Jason Jonas said: “We’re 30 plus feet above sea level and in a place that’s built to withstand 225 mph winds. That’s a better chance than being exposed out on the highway in traffic trying to make it to Georgia.”
By midday Sunday, Irma was leaving the Keys behind and beginning its slow crawl up the west coast of Florida, expected to reach the heavily populated cities of Naples and Tampa by Sunday evening.
The greatest fear for those areas remained the potential for a terrifying storm surge of more than five metres that could travel 16 kilometres inland taking out everything in its path.
There were complaints from some that the lastminute change of direction of the centre of the storm away from Miami in the east, meant few preparations had been made.
Jeff Beerbohm, 52, an entrepreneur in Tampa, said, “As usual, the weathermen, I don’t know why they’re paid. For five days, we were told it was going to be on the east coast, and then 24 hours before it hits, we’re now told it’s coming up the west coast.”
Tampa had not been hit by a major hurricane since 1921 when it had a population of just 10,000.
Now, it is home to three million and its retirement homes, canals lined with yachts, and shell-filled beaches were under threat.
Bob Buckhorn, the Mayor of Tampa, said, “Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face. Well, we’re about to get punched in the face. We are about to find out what hell looks like.”
Authorities in Fort Lauderdale extended an overnight curfew through the day as winds bent palm trees almost horizontal.
At the Crossland Hotel, guests hunkered down behind stormproof windows amid pounding rain. Throughout the night residents’ phones buzzed with tornado warnings from the National Weather Center.
Ostar Reyes, a roofer, said he had been ordered out of his nearby home. “This seemed as safe a place to come as any, I’ve never seen anything like this,” he said.
Kim Sylar, a teacher sheltering in a hotel in Key West, said, “It’s a little like the Titanic right now.”
There were particular concerns about Florida’s elderly and retired population. The state has more than 1.6 million people over the age of 75, half of whom are disabled, and many were unable to evacuate.
At a sports arena that had been turned into a shelter for 5,000 people in Estero, Jack Shively, 85, and his wife Mary Jo, 78, clutched their shaggy white dog Chrissy, in the bleachers.
The couple said they had been turned away from three other shelters at schools because they were full.
Jack Shively said, “We’ve been all over Florida today, seeking shelter.” His wife said: “I don’t think I can sit here all night, but I guess I’ll have to.”
Eileen Jirak, 83, said she was leaving the shelter and heading home despite the dire warnings. She said, “It’s like hell in there and people keep coming. At home, at least I won’t go out of my mind sitting up in those bleachers.”
Eileen Car, 74, added, “This is a disaster. I’ll never do this again. I’d rather drown.”
Meanwhile, the Florida governor said he had spoken to President Donald Trump who was praying for the state.
“He said he would be praying for us,” said Scott.
“Everything I’ve asked out of the federal government, he’s made sure he gave us. We’re going to need a lot of help. We’re a tough state. We’re going to come through this.”
Trump, who was monitoring the storm from Camp David as it arrived, added: “Brave people are ready. Here comes Irma. God bless everyone!”
Trump described the hurricane as “a storm of enormous destructive power.”
By early evening, Irma was downgraded to a category two hurricane as it headed further up the west coast.
EVERYBODY HAS A PLAN UNTIL THEY GET PUNCHED IN THE FACE.