Tag hurricane irma

Hurricane Irma

Hurricane Irma was a powerful and destructive tropical cyclone that affected the Caribbean and the southeastern United States in September 2017. Here are some key facts about the storm:

Formation and Track

• Irma formed on August 30, 2017, in the eastern Atlantic Ocean.
• It strengthened into a tropical storm on August 31 and a hurricane on September 5.
• Irma moved westward across the Atlantic, passing north of the Leeward Islands and Puerto Rico.
• On September 5, Irma made landfall in Barbuda, St. Martin, and Anguilla as a Category 5 hurricane.
• The storm then turned northwestward, making landfall in Cuba on September 8.

Impact

• Irma caused catastrophic damage and flooding in the Caribbean, particularly in Barbuda, St. Martin, and Anguilla.
• The storm destroyed an estimated 70% of the buildings in Barbuda and left the island without electricity or running water.
• In St. Martin, Irma destroyed thousands of homes and businesses, leaving many people homeless.
• In Cuba, Irma caused widespread power outages and flooding, particularly in the city of Camagüey.
• On September 10, Irma made landfall in Florida, United States, as a Category 4 hurricane.
• The storm caused significant damage and flooding in the Florida Keys and the mainland, particularly in the Miami-Dade and Broward counties.

Aftermath

• The storm caused an estimated $83 billion in damages, making it one of the costliest hurricanes in history.
• Irma left millions of people without power, and many communities were without electricity for weeks.
• The storm also caused significant disruptions to transportation, commerce, and daily life in the affected areas.
• In the aftermath of the storm, there were reports of looting, price gouging, and other forms of criminal activity.

Notable Statistics

• Irma's maximum sustained winds reached 185 mph (295 km/h), making it a Category 5 hurricane.
• The storm's central pressure dropped to 914 mbar (27.0 inHg), one of the lowest ever recorded in the Atlantic.
• Irma caused 134 deaths and injured hundreds more.
• The storm displaced thousands of people, with many forced to flee their homes and seek shelter elsewhere.

Overall, Hurricane Irma was a devastating storm that caused widespread destruction and loss of life in the Caribbean and the southeastern United States.