Hurricane Irma's current projected track towards the U.S. and up the state of Florida this weekend
The largest evacuation in US history is underway as more than 5.6million people have been ordered to leave Florida before Category 5 Hurricane Irma strikes the Sunshine State.
The state's Gov. Rick Scott urged people who had not left yet to leave as soon as possible on Friday. He warned those who plan to stay, that they may have to ride out the dangerous storm at their own risk.
He explained that the biggest concern with the powerful hurricane is the predicted storm surge that will come along with the lashing winds and heavy rains.
Andrew Sussman, the state's hurricane program manager, said Friday the total of those urged to flee Florida includes people throughout the southern half of the state as well as those living in inland Florida in substandard housing.
Florida is the nation's third-largest state with nearly 21million people according to the U.S. Census.
Meteorologists expect the powerful hurricane to hit the Sunshine State on Sunday. As of 6.30pm ET Friday, the hurricane is moving west at 12 mph and located 345 miles southeast of Miami and is now a Category 5 storm.
Hurricane Irma made landfall in Camaguey archipelago, just off the northern coast of Cuba, around 11.10pm ET. This is the first Category 5 storm to hit the island since 1924
Millions in Florida were ordered to evacuate as Hurricane Irma roared toward the state after lashing Cuba, killing 21 people in the eastern Caribbean and leaving catastrophic destruction in its wake.
A total of 5.6 million people, or 25 percent of the state's population, was ordered to evacuate Florida, according to the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
Irma, one of the most powerful Atlantic storms in a century, was expected to hit Florida on Sunday morning, bringing massive damage from wind and flooding to the fourth-largest state by population. A historic evacuation, including from areas around Miami, has been made more difficult by clogged highways, gasoline shortages and the challenge of moving older people in the top retirement destination.
Millions in Florida were ordered to evacuate as Hurricane Irma roared toward the state after lashing Cuba, killing 21 people in the eastern Caribbean and leaving catastrophic destruction in its wake.
A total of 5.6 million people, or 25 percent of the state's population, was ordered to evacuate Florida, according to the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
Irma, one of the most powerful Atlantic storms in a century, was expected to hit Florida on Sunday morning, bringing massive damage from wind and flooding to the fourth-largest state by population. A historic evacuation, including from areas around Miami, has been made more difficult by clogged highways, gasoline shortages and the challenge of moving older people in the top retirement destination.
CURRENT EVACUATION ORDERS FOR THE U.S.
FLORIDA
Mandatory evacuations
Monroe County: This mandatory order stands for the entire Florida Keys. About 31,000 people were evacuated as of 6pm Wednesday
Miami-Dade County: Mandatory evacuations for all of Zone A, all of Zone B, and portions of Zone C.
Broward County: Voluntary evacuations of mobile homes and low-lying areas; mandatory evacuation of all areas east of U.S. 1 including barrier islands beginning Thursday
Brevard County: Mandatory evacuations for Zone A, Merritt Island, barrier islands, and some low-lying mainland areas along Indian River Lagoon beginning Friday
Lake Okeechobee: Florida officials want residents to evacuate the area directly south of Lake Okeechobee. A voluntary evacuation was issued for the cities of South Bay, Lake Harbor, Pahokee, Moore Haven, Clewiston, Belle Glade and Canal Point. Mandatory evacuations for these cities will be put into effect Saturday morning.
Collier County: Mandatory evacuations for Goodland, Everglades City, Chokoloskee, and all mobile homes beginning on Friday
Glades County: Residents in zone A must evacuate by noon Friday. Everyone living in an RV park, mobile home or a building constructed before 1992 must also evacuate.
Flagler County: Mandatory evacuations for nursing homes, all varieties of assisted living facilities, and community residential group homes within coastal and Intracoastal areas and voluntary evacuation for zones A, B, C, F beginning on Thursday; mandatory for Zones A,B,C,F, and substandard housing beginning on Saturday
Lee County: Mandatory evacuations for barrier islands – Bonita Beach, Fort Myers Beach, Sanibel, Captiva, and Pine Island beginning Friday morning
Martin County: Mandatory for barrier islands, manufactured homes, and low-lying areas beginning Saturday
Palm Beach County: Mandatory evacuations for Zone A and B, voluntary for Zone C
Pinellas County: Mandatory evacuations all mobile homes and Zone A
Indian River County: Mandatory evacuations for low lying areas go into effect on Saturday
St. Johns County: Mandatory evacuation go into effect Saturday morning for Zones A and B
Duval County: Residents in Zones A and B and those living in mobile homes and low-lying homes are instructed to evacuate immediately
Nassau County: Mandatory evacations go into effect at 6pm Friday for people who live in zones A, C and F
Citrus County: Mandatory evacuation for residents west of U.S. Highway 19, those living one and a half miles east of U.S. 19, Crystal River residents, residents living in low-lying areas, and residents living in mobile homes, manufactured homes and all unsafe structures.
Hernando County: Mandatory evacuation for coastal zones A and B and mobile homes countywide.
Hendry County: Mandatory evaciation for Clewiston, Hookers Point, Harlem, Flaghole, Montura Ranch Estates, and communities within the Mid-County MSBU which incudes Ladeca, Pioneer Plantation and Leon-Dennis Subdivision. resiednts in no-slab build homes, mobile homes trailers and RVs are under voluntary evacuation.
Sarasota County: People living in evacuation Zone A are to leave between 2pm Friday and 8pm Saturday.
Pasco County: Mandatory evacuation for residents who live west of U.S. 19, north of Fox Hollow, west of Little Rd and special needs residents throughout the county
Rea
Voluntary evacuations
St. Lucie County: Voluntary evacuations
DeSoto County: Voluntary evacuation for people in low-lying/flood prine areas and residents living in mobile homes and RV parks
Charlotte County: Voluntary evacuations on Don Pedro Island, Knight Island, Little Gasparilla Island, Gasparilla Island, Manasota Key and those living in mobile homes
Okeechobee County: Voluntary evacuations of low-lying areas prone to flooding
Volusia County: Voluntary evacuations of residents in beachside, low-lying areas and in RV, mobile or manufactured homes.
Polk County: Voluntary evacuation for residents in manufactured homes and flood-prone areas
Hillsborough County: Voluntary evacuations for residents in Zone A who are registered for special needs shelters staring 8am Friday.
Manatee County: Voluntary evacuations for Zone A
Highlands County: Voluntary evacuation for residents who live in low-lying areas and manufactured mobile homes.
Taylor County: Voluntary evacuation for residents who live in low-lying areas and manufactured mobile homes.
Alachua County: Voluntary evacuation for residents who live in low-lying areas and manufactured mobile homes.
Hardee County: Voluntary evacuation for residents who live in low-lying areas and manufactured mobile homes.
Lake County: Voluntary evacuation for residents who live in low-lying areas and manufactured mobile homes.
GEORGIA
Georgia ordered the evacuation of the state's coastal areas. It applies to all areas east of Interstate 95, including the city of Savannah.
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