I’m stuck in Florida and trying to avoid Irma

“In Miami, sand bags are being given out (10 bags per vehicle), gas stations are backed up, toilet roll is running out and people are starting to be picked up for evacuation.

“All shops apart from the essentials are boarded up and sandbags are everywhere.

“Parasols and sunbeds have been taken away and construction companies seem to be taking down all the scaffolding etc. I spent £450 on my second flight which was cancelled, and then another £700 on my flight from Orlando which gets me into London Stansted.

“We are trying to keep high spirits and I’m really glad I’m still with people I know, but I am anxious about the journey up to Orlando with all the traffic and all the airports closing. There is a strange vibe in Miami, everyone is panicking, even the locals. I’ll be relieved once I’m on that flight.”

Krystina’s sister, Danielle, who has been providing support from Huddersfield, said: “Fingers crossed she will get to Orlando and then a flight from there.” RELIEF efforts are under way on islands devastated by Hurricane Irma, as a second “extremely dangerous” storm threatens the Caribbean.

Some already-ravaged areas are preparing for further possible damage as Hurricane Jose, which has been upgraded to category four, travels through the Atlantic.

Medical supplies and other aid are being flown from the UK to the areas worst affected by Irma, following a £32 million pledge from the British Government.

The government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, which were “pummelled” overnight, declared a national shutdown as the hurricane continued its destructive path towards America.

The death toll from Irma has risen to 20 with four more people believed to have died on the British Virgin Islands, it is reported.

US President Donald Trump warned Americans in Irma’s path to “get out of its way”.

The National Hurricane Centre said the storm is likely to move near the north coast of Cuba and central Bahamas today, and approach Florida tomorrow.

Life-threatening wind, rain and a storm surge are expected in the Turks and Caicos Islands throughout today.

Forecasters said Hurricane Jose could affect already-hit areas with the British Virgin Islands on tropical storm watch, and the Commonwealth islands of Barbuda and Antigua and British territory of Anguilla on hurricane watch.

The British Virgin Islands, which saw houses reduced to their foundations and many roads impassable in the wake of Irma, has already declared a state of emergency.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Defence said aircraft carrying around 230 personnel, made up of engineers, marines and medical specialists, will take rations and medical supplies to places affected including Barbados and the British Virgin Islands.