Category 5 storm’s path continues to shift east
Hurricane Irma’s projected path continued to shift east Wednesday evening — potentially good news for Central Florida as the deadly Category 5 storm churned through the Caribbean, leaving a trail of destruction behind.
Forecasters said Irma could strike the Miami area by early Sunday, then rake the entire length of the state’s east coast and push into Georgia and the Carolinas.
“This thing is a buzz saw,” warned Colorado State University meteorology professor Phil Klotzbach. “I don’t see any way out of it.”
Matt Volkmer, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Melbourne, said conditions in Central Florida depend heavily on the path, adding a small distance could mean the difference between devastation and minimal wind and rain.
“Even though the models are showing it trending toward the east coast, it doesn’t give me any peace of mind because it’s still too far out to really know where this storm is going,” he said. “The eye is where we see the strongest winds, so if it stays offshore, that would be the bestcase scenario.”
Florida Gov. Rick Scott said officials are preparing for Hurricane Irma to impact the entire state.
“We all have to understand this is serious and we cannot take chances,” Scott said.
In Orange County, Mayor Teresa Jacobs and county staff warned residents to have plans in place.
“We don’t want people to be alarmed, but we do want them to be prepared,” Jacobs said at a news conference.
Ron Plummer, county emergency manager, said because Orange is an inland county, he doesn’t recommend evacuating homes as is happening in coastal communities.
Shelters are expected to open Saturday morning, Jacobs said, depending on the path of the storm.
The storm with 185 mph winds assaulted several Caribbean islands on Wednesday. Nearly every building on the island of Barbuda was damaged when the eye of the storm passed almost directly overhead. About 60 percent of the island’s roughly 1,400 people were left homeless, Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne told The Associated Press. A 2-year-old was killed. More than a million people were without power on Puerto Rico.
Volkmer said the region could see anything from tropical stormforce winds to major-hurricane winds. Local rain totals are forecast from 4 to 8 inches but could increase, Volkmer said.
Volkmer said meterologists will have a better idea today about the storm track.
Meanwhile, Floridians heeding warnings to prepare have been lining up at stores that have been rapidly selling out of water, food and other supplies.
Scott said retailers are working quickly to replenish stores and advised shoppers to try again. He said his waiver of tolls this week is helping retailers.
James Miller, communications director for the Florida Retail Federation and the Florida Petroleum Marketers and Convenience Store Association, said the state has had a number of “sporadic shortages” as people rush out to fuel up, but a seven-day supply of gas is readily available.
Businesses and schools are also responding to warnings. Among Central Florida public schools, Brevard County will be closed Thursday and Friday and then until further notice. Volusia and Osceola schools will shut down Friday and Monday. Lake and Seminole school districts will close Monday. Orange will be open on Thursday and Friday for classes, but will not offer any after-school programs Friday.
The University of Central Florida has canceled classes for Thursday, Friday and Monday, though the Knights will still play their football game Friday night. UCF students might be required to leave their dorm rooms and head to school shelters, the locations of which have not yet been announced. Rollins College announced Tuesday that classes are canceled on Friday and through the weekend.
The governor urged Floridians to get ready and protect themselves, especially by heeding evacuation orders.
Hurricane Irma is forcing thousands of South Florida residents from their homes, and many of those people are expected to drive north to the Orlando area for refuge.
The region has more than 120,000 hotel rooms. The timing of the storm — arriving in the week after Labor Day tourists exited — could provide more availability for evacuees.
Orlando’s Rosen Hotels & Resorts have established “distress rates” in its seven resorts for Florida residents who are Irma evacuees. A spokeswoman says the company has established a wait list and is filling it as cancellations come in.
Scott asked for volunteers to help with efforts across the state: Volunteer Florida has 43 teams on standby and the American Red Cross is arriving with 1,000 volunteers and several tractor trailers. An American Red Cross disaster relief operation is established in Orlando, Scott said. The Salvation Army and Florida Baptist Convention have kitchens on standby to distribute food.
Volunteers are needed to work in shelters, distribute food and for response efforts, Scott said during a televised update on the state’s preparedness.
More than 2,000 people have already signed up to volunteer, which “shows the true colors of our state during emergencies,” Scott said.
Meanwhile, Hurricane Jose continued moving through the Atlantic Ocean behind Irma, but it is forecast to continue moving north, possibly avoiding Florida. Hurricane Katia formed in the Gulf of Mexico as it meandered off the coast of Mexico.
“It’s a little unusual to have that many but we predicted a very active season and right now, we’re near the peak of hurricane season,” Volkmer said.
Staff writers Gray Rohrer, Dewayne Bevil, Leslie Postal and Annie Martin contributed to this report. News Service of Florida and the Associated Press also contributed.