Powerful Irma Makes Landfall

In what is being described as the most powerful Atlantic hurricane ever recorded, Hurricane Irma made landfall this morning in the Caribbean near Antigua and Barbuda on a path towards Puerto Rico and possibly Florida by the end of the week.

There has been no immediate report of any casualties.

The Category 5 storm powered through Barbuda with heavy rain and howling winds, knocking down power lines and even ripping the roof off of the island’s police station.

It’s reported the storm had maximum sustained winds of 295 km/hr, and is expected to remain at Category 4 or 5 strength for several days.

Meanwhile, mandatory visitor evacuations in the Florida Keys were ordered yesterday by Keys emergency management officials to keep tourists safe from possible impacts by Hurricane Irma.