Hurricane Irma LIVE: 11am update from the National Hurricane Center - NOAA latest path
HURRICANE Irma will roar its way to the southwest Florida Coast after it leaves a trail of mass destruction in the state's Keys.
Meteorologist records wind speed in eyewall of Hurricane Irma
Ferocious winds continue to rise as the category 4 Hurricane Irma hurtles across the state's west coast, destroying everything in its path.
The latest 11am EDT update from the National Hurricane Center (NOAA) said it is around 80 miles (125km) south south-east of Naples, Florida and around 115 miles (180km) south south-east of Florida's Fort Myers.
The latest storm surge has reached 10 to 15ft as winds soar to 130mph (215 km/h).
Irma hurtled across lower Florida Keys at 7am EDT as it threatens to engulf the state’s Peninsula, which is already in a state of emergency.
The northern eyewall of Hurricane Irma hit the state's lower west coast reaching maximum speeds of 130 mph (215 km/h).
The eye of the storm hurtled into Key West, according to the hurricane center's 8am EDT update.
It comes as the government of the Bahamas issued a Tropical Storm Warning for Bimini and Grand Bahama.
Here is a breakdown of the update
NHC update: The latest location
At 11am EDT, the centre of Hurricane Irma was located near latitude 25.0 North, longitude 81.5 West. Irma is moving toward
the north near 9 mph (15 km/h, and a north-northwestward motion with an increase in forward speed is expected later today, with that motion continuing through to Monday.
On the forecast track, the eye of Irma should move over the Lower Florida Keys shortly, and then move near or over the west coast of the Florida Peninsula later today through tonight.
Irma should then move inland over northern Florida and southwestern Georgia on Monday afternoon.
NHC update: Latest Wind speed
Maximum sustained winds are now near 130 mph (215 km/h) with higher gusts. Irma is a category 4 hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson
Hurricane Wind Scale.
While weakening is forecast, Irma is expected to remain a powerful hurricane while it moves near or along the west coast of Florida.
NHC update: The threat to the Caribbean
WIND: Hurricane conditions are expected to continue within the hurricane warning area along the north coast of Cuba through this morning. Hurricane conditions are continuing across portions of the Florida Keys and southern Florida.
Winds affecting the upper floors of high-rise buildings will be significantly stronger than those near ground level. Tropical storm and hurricane conditions are expected to spread northward across the remainder of the warning areas through Monday. Tropical storm conditions are possible in the watch area in the Northwestern Bahamas today.
TORNADOES: Tornadoes are possible through tonight, mainly across southern, central, and eastern portions of the Florida Peninsula.
THE EYE: Do not venture outside when the calm eye of the hurricane passes over, as dangerous winds will return very quickly when the eye moves away.
SURF: Swells generated by Irma are affecting the southeast coast of the United States. These swells are likely to cause life-threatening surf and rip current conditions.
NHC UPDATE: The latest warnings
A Storm Surge Warning is in effect for...
* South Santee River southward to Jupiter Inlet
* North Miami Beach southward around the Florida peninsula to the Ochlockonee River
* Florida Keys
* Tampa Bay
A Hurricane Warning is in effect for...
* Fernandina Beach southward around the Florida peninsula to Indian Pass
* Florida Keys
* Lake Okeechobee
* Florida Bay
* Cuban provinces of Matanzas and La Habana
A Hurricane Watch is in effect for...
* North of Fernandina Beach to Edisto Beach
A Tropical Storm Warning is in effect for...
* West of Indian Pass to the Okaloosa/Walton County Line
* North of Fernandina Beach to South Santee River
A Tropical Storm Watch is in effect for...
* Bimini and Grand Bahama