Hurricane Irma is heading towards the Leeward Islands, and everyone’s concerned that it might leave disastrous consequences! Hurricane Irma strengthened to a Category 4 storm on Monday when it fluctuated west in the Atlantic Ocean which led officials of Puerto Rico and Florida to declare a state of emergency.
Even though the experts still don’t know exactly where Irma is heading there is a strong possibility that it will threaten the United States. Considering the threat, Florida Governor Rick Scott decided to declare a state of emergency in all counties.
Scott released a statement on Monday afternoon. ‘In Florida, we always prepare for the worst and hope for the best, and while the exact path of Irma is not absolutely known at this time, we cannot afford to not be prepared. This state of emergency allows our emergency management officials to act swiftly in the best interest of Floridians without the burden of bureaucracy or red tape.’
Governor Scott also mentioned his conversation with the President and claimed that POTUS is ready to go all in to save the day. President Trump offered ‘the full resources of the federal government as Floridians prepare for Hurricane Irma.’
Ricardo Rossello, the Governor of Puerto Rico, also declared a state of emergency on Monday but he also activated the National Guard. A few hours later the National Hurricane Center issued a hurricane warning for Puerto Rico.
That means that there will be no classes on Tuesday in the public education system which includes the University of Puerto Rico. This was gathered from a release coming from the Governor’s office. Rosello issued a statement on Sunday where he warned the locals that they could feel consequences of the hurricane Irma around noon on Wednesday.
At 11 p.m. ET on Monday Hurricane Irma was only 410 miles (660 km) east of the Leeward Islands according to the National Hurricane Center. It brings maximum sustained winds of 140 mph (220 kph) as it heads westward at 13 mph (20 kph). There is a landfall expected on early Wednesday on the island of Anguilla.
According to computer models, the system is moving through the Caribbean, and towards the end of the week, it will turn right northward. These claims were confirmed by the CNN meteorologist Tom Sater.
‘There is a small window. If it turns sooner rather than later, we could maybe see the system slide by the East Coast into the ocean, but that window is shutting quickly.’ Sater claimed. He added ‘It definitely looks like we will be impacted by a major hurricane that is a Category 3, 4 or 5.’
According to the Hurricane Center, the swells created by Irma could impact the northern Leeward Islands on Monday.
‘These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.’
Besides Puerto Rico, there are numerous other Caribbean islands that are now under hurricane warnings, and they include Barbuda, Anguilla, Montserrat, St. Kitts, Nevis, Saba, St. Eustatius, Antigua, St. Martin/Sint Maarten and St. Barts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8gbPEVDFORA
‘A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area,’ the Hurricane Center stated. ‘A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion.’
According to Allison Chinchar, Hurricane Irma will only strengthen this week. ‘Over the coming days, it’s going to get into that warmer water. That’s going to help the storm intensify.’ she claimed.
