Gov. Rick Scott: Hurricane Irma Has ‘Potential to Catastrophically Devastate’ Florida

Florida Gov. Rick Scott warned residents and visitors at his second press conference Thursday Hurricane Irma “has the potential to catastrophically devastate the state.” He also announced mandatory evacuations for the Florida Keys and urged others to listen to their local officials if they give those orders.

“This storm has the potential to catastrophically devastate the state,” Gov. Scott said. “We’ve never seen anything like this.”

He also warned that those in the cone must follow this carefully, have a plan and listen to warnings. Even if it remains on the East Coast, as is the forecast, those on the West Coast can still expect hurricane

“This storm could still move West.”

The National Hurricane Center (NHC) issued a Storm Surge Watch for the Florida peninsula from Jupiter Inlet southward and around the peninsula to Bonita Beach, including the Florida Keys. A Hurricane Watch has been issued for the Florida peninsula from Jupiter Inlet southward and around the peninsula to Bonita Beach, including the Florida Keys, Lake Okeechobee, and Florida Bay.

The government of Cuba has extended the Tropical Storm Warning to Villa Clara province.

On Thursday, Gov. Scott activated an additional 3,000 members of the Florida Army and Air National Guard, bring the total to 4,000 members across the state to ensure communities are fully prepared for the storm. On Friday, 3,000 more National Guard members will be activated, bring the total to 7,000.

(UPDATE: Pinellas County commissioners on Thursday voted unanimously on an evacuation order for all mobile home residents, and all Level A residents — including special needs residents — for Friday at 6 a.m. That order impacts roughly 160,000 residents.

A decision on Levels B and C residents will be made Friday night, which could affect another 340,000 residents.

In total, 500,000 residents could be ordered to evacuate Pinellas County in the next 48 hours.)

EVACUATION ORDERS

• Miami Dade has issued mandatory evacuations for zones A and B. Miami Dade residents can find their zones by clicking HERE.
• Broward County has issued voluntary evacuations of mobile homes and low-lying areas beginning today.
• Collier County has issued voluntary evacuations of Marco Island beginning today.
• Monroe County has issued mandatory evacuations for visitors beginning this morning. Mandatory evacuations for residents will begin this evening.
• Individuals with special needs started being evacuated from Miami-Dade County this morning.

• Additional evacuations are expected throughout the state. All Floridians should pay close attention to local alerts and follow the directions of local officials.
• To find available shelters by county, visit floridadisaster.org/shelters.

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