United States: Mandatory evacuations ordered in counties across Florida /update 2

Event

Hurricane Irma continues to maintain its strength, with maximum sustained winds of nearly 300 km/h (185 mph) on Thursday, September 7. As of 20:00 ET, the center of Hurricane Irma is roughly 85 km (55 miles) southwest of Grand Turk Island, and is moving west-northwest at 26 km/h (16mph). 

Mandatory evacuations were ordered in parts of several counties in Florida on Thursday. Affected counties include: Brevard, Broward, Indian River, Lee, Martin, Monroe, Miami-Dade, Palm Beach, and St. John's. Details of affected areas can be found here. Hurricane and Storm Surge Watches are now in effect for the Florida Keys, Lake Okeechobee, and Florida Bay. All public schools, colleges, universities, and state office will be closed from Friday, September 8 through Monday, September 11. The hurricane is forecast to make landfall in Florida in the early hours of Saturday, September 9.

Georgia Governor Nathan Deal also announced that mandatory evacuations on the state's Atlantic coast will begin on Saturday. Hurricane Irma is projected to reach the Georgia on Sunday, September 10.

Context

Hurricane Irma is currently making its way through the Atlantic Ocean and is approaching the Turks and Caicos Islands. At least ten people have been killed across the Caribbean as a result of the massive storm, including four in the US Virgin Islands. Hurricane warnings are currently in place for the Dominican Republic (from Cabo Frances Viejo to the border with Haiti), Haiti (from the border with the Dominican Republic to Le Mole St. Nicholas), and the Central and Northwestern Bahamas. There is also a hurricane watch in Cuba (Guantanamo, Holguin, Las Tunas, and Matanzas provinces) A tropical storm warning is in effect in Cuba (Guantanamo, Holguin, and Las Tunas) and Haiti (from Le Mole St. Nicholas to Port-au-Prince).

Advice

Individuals present in Florida and the southeast US are advised to keep abreast of weather alerts, confirm travel reservations, avoid coastal areas due to the risk of flooding, and adhere to all advice issued by the local authorities. Remember that driving or walking through running water can be dangerous; 15 cm (6 in) of running water is enough to knock over an adult. Finally, because floodwater may also contain wastewater or chemical products, wear boots and try to avoid any contact with the water. All items having come into contact with the water should be washed and disinfected. Dispose of any food that may have come into contact with floodwater. ​