Hurricane Irma LIVE: 11am update from the National Hurricane Center - NOAA latest path
HURRICANE IRMA is set to slam into Florida after passing between Cuba and the Bahamas, according to the latest update from the NOAA National Hurricane Center (NHC).
Hurricane Irma winds could be 'catastrophic' for Miami
The 11am EDT update, from the NHC, said that Irma remains ‘an extremely dangerous’ category 4 hurricane with 155 mph winds.
The latest storm track map shows Irma is set to hit Florida before tracking up towards Georgia, Tennessee and South Carolina.
The cone, which contains the probable path of the eye of the storm, remains wide due to the ongoing uncertainty over where Irma will hit.
Here is a breakdown of the update.
NHC update: The forecast track
The NHC said: “On the forecast track, the eye of Irma should move near the north coast of Cuba and the central Bahamas today and Saturday, and be near the Florida Keys and the southern Florida Peninsula Sunday morning.”
NHC update: The latest location
Hurricane Irma was last located about 405 miles (655 km) southeast of Miami, Florida. The storm is moving in a west-northwesterly direction at 14mph.
NHC update: Latest wind speed
Hurricane Irma winds are now 150 mph (240 km/h).
NHC update: The threat to the Caribbean
“Irma is an extremely dangerous Category 4 hurricane and will continue to bring life-threatening wind, storm surge, and rainfall hazards to the Bahamas through Saturday.
“Hurricane conditions will also spread over portions of the north coast of Cuba, especially over the adjacent Cuban Keys through Saturday.”
NHC update: Threat to Florida
“Irma is likely to make landfall in southern Florida as a dangerous major hurricane, and will bring life-threatening storm surge and wind impacts to much of the state regardless of the exact track of the center.”
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for southern Florida, the Florida Keys, Lake Okeechobee, and Florida Bay, while Hurricane Watches have been issued northward into central Florida.
The NHC said: “There is the danger of life-threatening storm surge inundation in southern Florida and the Florida Keys during the next 36 hours, where a Storm Surge Warning is in effect.
“In particular, the threat of significant storm surge flooding along the southwest coast of Florida has increased, and 6 to 12 feet of inundation above ground level is possible in this area.
"This is a life-threatening situation.”
In addition, Irma is expected to produce very heavy rain and inland flooding. Total rain accumulations of up to 12 inches, with isolated amounts of 20 inches, due on the Florida peninsula Saturday through Monday.
The NHC said: “The highest amounts are expected over the eastern Florida peninsula and upper Florida Keys."
NHC update on the threat to the rest of the USA
“Irma will likely bring periods of heavy rain to much of Georgia, South Carolina, and western North Carolina early next week, including some mountainous areas which are more prone to flash flooding.
“All areas seeing heavy rainfall from Irma will experience a risk of flooding and flash flooding.”
NHC update on warnings
The Storm Surge Warning has been extended from Jupiter Inlet northward to Sebastian Inlet and from Bonita Beach northward to Venice.
A Storm Surge Watch has been issued from north of Sebastian Inlet to Ponce Inlet.
The Hurricane Watch has been extended northward along the east coast of Florida to the Flagler/Volusia County Line, and along the west coast of Florida to Anclote River.