Category 5 Hurricane Irma Slams into Caribbean Islands, Threatens Florida

Hurricane Irma, which is now a Category 5 storm, slammed into Caribbean islands today as it makes its way toward Puerto Rico and Florida.

Caribbean islands and the state of Florida are on high alert as Irma approaches. Meteorologists are still unsure if Irma will track toward the west or east coast of Florida, but either way, they are warning that significant damage will likely occur and evacuations are advised.

According to Weather Underground, Irma is the fifth strongest Atlantic hurricane on record. It is sustaining winds of up to 180 mph.

Irma has already brought extremely high wind speeds, drenching rains, and floodwaters to Caribbean islands, such as St. Martin, St. Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla, Antigua, and the U.S. and British Virgin Islands.

It is now threatening Puerto Rico and Florida, and, if it tracks to the east, possibly the coasts of South and North Carolina.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency for every county in Florida, according to AccuWeather.com.

“This hurricane has the potential to be a major event for the East Coast. It also has the potential to significantly strain FEMA and other governmental resources occurring so quickly on the heels of Harvey,” said AccuWeather expert meteorologist Evan Myers.

CNN.com reports that Virginia Barreras was riding out the storm in a hotel in St. Martin. "The palm trees are bent over and [I] can't see anything but white," she said before Irma's eye passed over the island. "The walls shake when the wind blows hard, and we can hear debris being thrown around.”

SOURCE: CHRISTIAN HEADLINES