Evacuees begin long road back to Florida Keys after Irma’s devastation

Damaged homes near Marathon, Florida on Sept 12, after Hurricane Irma. Florida is cleaning up and embarking on rebuilding from Hurricane Irma, one of the most

destructive hurricanes in its history. (AP) Evacuees from Hurricane Irma returned early Wednesday to parts of the Florida Keys, which remained largely without electricity and communications in the wake of the deadly storm.

Categorized as one of the most powerful Atlantic storms on record when it rampaged through the Caribbean, Irma killed more than 60 people, officials said.

At least 18 people died in Florida and nearby states, and destruction was widespread in the Keys, where Irma made initial US landfall on Sunday and became the second major hurricane to strike the mainland this season.

Authorities barred re-entry to most of the Keys to allow more time to restore electricity and medical service and bring water, food and fuel.

Irma has also claimed five more lives, patients at a Florida nursing home that lost electricity during the storm that brought widespread flooding and power outages over the weekend, authorities said on Wednesday.

Meanwhile,

President

Donald Trump will travel to storm-battered Florida on Thursday to survey damage caused by Hurricane Irma, the White House said.

The White House has been keen to show that Trump is on top of coordinating the federal response to hurricanes Irma and Harvey — which earlier this month flooded Houston, Texas. (Agencies)