As Texans begin rebuilding Houston after Hurricane Harvey, a few states over, those in Florida are preparing for an even bigger storm, Hurricane Irma.
Irma, a Category 5 hurricane, is the strongest Atlantic hurricane ever recorded - and it’s showing no signs of weakening.
So far, Irma has hit the island of Barbuda, St. Martin, Anguilla, St. Barthélemy, parts of the U.S. Virgin Island, parts of the British Virgin Islands, and now Puerto Rico.
These are the first images from Barbuda after Hurricane #Irma's direct hit earlier today -- the strongest landfall in Atlantic history. pic.twitter.com/LTM2ql7SFf
— Eric Holthaus (@EricHolthaus) September 7, 2017
Aerial footage shows the sheer devastation in St. Martin caused by Hurricane #Irma barreling through. https://t.co/0lxfkjCMnJ pic.twitter.com/cgPS6PddUd
— ABC News (@ABC) September 7, 2017
185 mph winds showed no mercy in #Anguilla as #Irma screamed across the northern Caribbean islands. pic.twitter.com/et82nhFZE4
— AMHQ (@AMHQ) September 7, 2017
Harrowing video shows devastation in St. Barts caused by #Irma, which may be most powerful Atlantic storm in decade https://t.co/FltvWIMuTS pic.twitter.com/u8wzTVdgFD
— ABC News (@ABC) September 7, 2017
Man films Hurricane #Irma’s destruction in St. Thomas to warn Florida what’s coming https://t.co/8dn4JPUS2y pic.twitter.com/8PEWv5TFj7
— CNN (@CNN) September 7, 2017
Why you never touch down live power lines. This was the scene earlier in Puerto Rico. #HurricaneIrma #Irma pic.twitter.com/98YZKaQneY
— Al Bree (@nlitenmebabe) September 7, 2017
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It’s still too early to tell if Irma will make it’s way to the mainland - but Floridians aren’t taking any chances.
A state of emergency has been declared for all counties, and a number are already being evacuated.
Here’s a list of Florida counties that have ordered mandatory evacuations, thus far.
Already in effect:
Monroe County (which includes the Florida Keys)
Miami-Dade County (Both Zones A and B)
Broward County (which includes Fort Lauderdale) for all residents living east of Federal Highway - also known as U.S. Route 1 - as well as anyone living in low lying areas and/or mobile homes
Starting at 6 a.m. Friday:
Pinellas County (which includes Clearwater and St. Petersburg) for residents living in low-lying areas and/or mobile homes
Starting at 8 a.m. Friday:
Hillsborough County (which includes Tampa) for special needs residents in Zone A
Florida Gov. Rick Scott issued a stern warning to residents and visitors earlier this week: "If you're told to evacuate, get out quickly.”
For those unable to evacuate, here is a list of shelters in Miamie-Dade and Broward Counties.
Florida’s neighbor, Georgia is also taking the necessary precautions.
Thirty counties along Georgia’s coast are now under a state of emergency including Appling, Atkinson, Bacon, Brantley, Bryan, Bulloch, Burke, Camden, Candler, Charlton, Chatham, Clinch, Coffee, Echols, Effingham, Emanuel, Evans, Glynn, Jenkins, Jeff Davis, Liberty, Long, McIntosh, Pierce, Screven, Tattnall, Toombs, Treutlen, Wayne and Ware Counties.
Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal issued a mandatory evacuation order for all areas east of I-95, all of Chatham County (which includes Savannah) and some areas west of I-95, as well.
"I encourage all Georgians in our coastal areas that could be impacted by this storm to evacuate the area as soon as possible," Gov. Deal said.
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster have also declared a state of emergency.
We’ll keep you posted if any new evacuations are ordered.
Stay safe, everyone.
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