BREAKING: Gov. Rick Scott Declared State of Emergency for Florida Due to Hurricane Irma
By Space Coast Daily // September 4, 2017
'potentially impacting millions of Floridians'
BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – Gov. Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency for Florida due to Hurricane Irma, which is now a category 4 storm and about 490 miles east of the Leeward Islands.
“Hurricane Irma is a major and life-threatening storm and Florida must be prepared,” said Scott.
“I have continued to be briefed by the Florida Division of Emergency Management on Hurricane Irma and current forecast models have Florida in Irma’s path – potentially impacting millions of Floridians. Today, given these forecasts and the intensity of this storm, I have declared a state of emergency for every county in Florida to make certain that state, federal and local governments are able to work together and make sure resources are dispersed to local communities as we get prepared for this storm.”
The National Hurricane Center has pinned Hurricane Irma as a Category 4 with the latest 5 p.m. report.
Irma’s max sustained winds are now at 130 mph and growing stronger, according to NHC.
The category 4 hurricane continues to move to the west at 13 mph,
Hurricane warnings have been initiated for Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, Montserrat, St. Kitts, Nevis, Saba, St. Eustatius, Sint Maarten, Saint Martin and Saint Barthelemy.
Hurricane watches have also been initiated for Guadeloupe, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Vieques, and Culebra.
A Hurricane Warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm- force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.
Related Story:STAY OR GO? Brevard County Emergency Management Evacuation Chart Identifies Low-Lying Areas
A Hurricane Watch means that hurricane conditions are possible within the watch area.
A watch is typically issued 48 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.
NHC expects to see a turn toward the west-northwestward late Tuesday.
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