At Least 3 People Dead, Over 1 Million Without Power as Hurricane Irma Pummels Florida

September 10, 2017

Hurricane Irma is pummeling Florida with powerful winds and rain after making landfall in the Florida Keys this morning. The storm has left at least three people in the state dead, including a sheriff’s deputy, and over 1 million households and businesses without power.

In Miami, winds whipped around high-rise buildings at speeds approaching 100 mph, the National Weather Service said. A 94 mph wind gust was recorded at Miami International Airport. The winds caused a tower crane to collapse on an under-construction high-rise in Miami this morning, city officials said.

Waves crash over a seawall at the mouth of the Miami River from Biscayne Bay, Fla., as Hurricane Irma passes by, Sept. 10, 2017, in Miami.
Wilfredo Lee/AP

The rough waters where the Miami River meets Biscayne Bay shows the full effects of Hurricane Irma strike in Miami, Florida, Sept. 10, 2017.
Erik S. Lesser/EPA

The Miami-Dade Police tweeted that its officers are sheltered for their safety and cannot respond to calls for service, warning residents, “DO NOT venture out!”

Recently planted palm trees lie strewn across the road as Hurricane Irma passes by, Sept. 10, 2017, in Miami Beach, Fla.
Wilfredo Lee/AP

Irma this morning also brought wind gusts of 93 mph near Key Largo and 89 mph to Key West. Florida Gov. Rick Scott told ABC News’ George Stephanopoulos on “This Week” that the Keys were “getting pounded.”

#GOES16 captured this geocolor image of #Irma‘s eye over the Florida Keys at approx. 9:00 am EDT. Latest info @ https://t.co/cSGOfrM0lG. pic.twitter.com/ubTAS23nmQ

— NOAA Satellites (@NOAASatellites) September 10, 2017

By 10 a.m. the storm’s eye was moving away from the Florida Keys, and by 11 a.m., the storm had moved to about 80 miles south-southeast of Naples on Florida’s west coast.

Irma is forecast to move up the western coastline of Florida this afternoon, with another landfall possible later today near Fort Myers and Naples.

Wind gusts of 75 mph were recorded at the Naples Airport early Sunday, and officials were warning people to stay indoors and away from windows.

The storm’s eye is expected to pass near Fort Myers this evening and head over Tampa overnight, bringing the storm near Cedar Key and Tallahassee, along Florida’s panhandle, by Monday morning.

Hurricane Irma forecast track 11 a.m. Sept. 10, 2017.
ABC News

The National Weather Service warned Florida residents that being in the eye of a hurricane can lead to a false sense of security: “IF winds go calm, you’re in the eye. Stay inside! Winds dramatically shift and will do so violently! STAY INSIDE!”

IF winds go calm, you’re in the eye. Stay inside! Winds dramatically shift and will do so violently! STAY INSIDE!

— NWS Key West (@NWSKeyWest) September 10, 2017