Hurricane Irma NOAA path maps combined shows EVERY Florida, Georgia & South Carolina track
HURRICANE Irma NOAA path maps have been combined to show how the deadly storm is likely to crash through Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama and Virginia.
Hurricane Irma predicted to hit Georgia and Alabama
The NHC has put out a hurricane warning and a tropical storm warning stretching through almost all of Florida into Georgia and South Carolina - an area where more than 20 million people live.
The category 4 storm has also been predicted to move through Albama and as far as Tennessee.
And as the map shows, the accuracy of the NHC’s previous forecasts suggest Irma will be reaching areas to the north of Florida on Monday.
NHC meteologist Eric Blake tweeted: “Nice graphic showing all the NHC forecasts for #Irma. Despite the small (but important) shift near #Florida, solid predictions so far!”
Florida is bearing the brunt of the devastating hurricane but several surrounding coastal states are now bracing themselves for the arrival of what forecasters are describing as "huge and life-threatening storm".
Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Virginia have bolstered emergency relief efforts as they potentially stand to be affected by what could be one the strongest hurricanes to hit the Southeastern coast.
After Florida, Georgia is most vulnerable to Hurricane Irma which looks killed to hit the state in the early hours of Monday morning.
State officials have ordered the evacuation of 540,000 residents from low-lying coastal areas.
Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal declared a state of emergency for 94 counties on Friday and ordered mandatory evacuations for coastal areas.
"I want to caution all Georgians that just because the weather now may appear to be calm, do not take that for granted,” Deal said at a press briefing Friday.
"This is a rapidly moving hurricane and the weather and the consequences of that hurricane can change dramatically in a relatively short period of time," he said, adding that Irma could be more "devastating" for the state than Hurricane Matthew in 2016.
The state has also set up emergency shelters and canceled classes for several schools and colleges, including the University of Georgia.
Atlanta is expected to be hit with high wind gusts and severe rainstorms.
President Donald Trump approved an emergency declaration for Georgia on Friday and ordered "federal assistance to supplement state and local response efforts due to the emergency conditions resulting from Hurricane Irma,” according to a White House statement.
Across the state border in South Carolina, nearly 45,000 people have been told to leave their homes ahead of the storm.
Dangerous winds, flash flooding, and tornadoes are a strong possibility, according to the National Weather Service.
South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster declared a state of emergency for the state on Friday.
Areas far from the centre of the hurricane could feel its effects, forecasters warned.
The South Carolina coast could see storm surges, with the greatest threat to historic Charleston on Monday.
Sustained tropical storm-force winds and "life-threatening inundation from storm surge” are possible for vulnerable coastal areas in South Carolina including the Isle of Palms, according to an emergency advisory from the National Weather Service.
The state set up about 20 shelters that are either open or on standby in several counties.
Mr McMaster said: "We are now preparing shelters to receive not only South Carolinians, but also our friends from Florida and Georgia, as they should be needed.”
South Carolina is also monitoring eight dams, after inspecting 51 throughout the state as Irma approaches.
Nearly 1,700 state troopers and local law enforcement officers are standing by to fortify relief efforts.
North Carolina is likely to receive less of Hurricane Irma’s effects is still taking precautions with Governor Roy Cooper declaring a state of emergency.
He said: “Things are looking better for North Carolina with Hurricane Irma, but our state is not yet in the clear and we can’t let our guard down.
"We're continuing to get ready, and I encourage families and businesses across our state to do the same.”
State emergency operations are on high alert as well as North Carolina’s National Guard and state troopers.
Eye of Hurricane Irma crosses over Florida Keys
Virginia and Alabama have also declared a state of emergency.
Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe said the emergency order would help the state mobilise resources, including the Virginia National Guard, and pre-position people and equipment to assist in storm response and recovery efforts.
He said: “It is unfortunate that just as our nation has begun the process to repair the catastrophic damage from Hurricane Harvey, that we are faced with another extreme storm.
"However, if there is one lesson we can take from the tragic events that occurred in Texas, it is that we must redouble our preparation efforts."