Florida Governor Rick Scott meets with his team and officials in preparation for Hurricane Irma in Jacksonville on September 7, 2017.
Florida Governor Rick Scott warned residents and visitors Friday the latest forecast models show Hurricane “Irma is more devastating on it’s current path.” He said the Category 4 storm packing maximum sustained winds of 150 mph will impact the Florida Panhandle and no one should be complacent.
“I cannot stress this enough. Do not ignore evacuation orders,” Gov. Scott said. “Remember, we can repair your home. We cannot repair your life.”
Massive Storm Surges are expected between 3 and 10 feet in coastal areas.
The latest forecast models aggregated from the National Hurricane Center (NHC) show Hurricane Irma shifting westward as the worst case scenario is now the most-likely. It will likely travel right up the spine of the Sunshine State and impact every major city.
Forecasters anticipate the storm could pick up strength as it prepares to make landfall in South Florida, as the pressure has not risen as officials hoped. The pressure remaining low indicates the storm is still fundamentally strong.
“If you live in any evacuation zones and you’re still at home, leave!” Gov. Scott warned at the news conference. “We can’t save you once the storm hits.”
FEMA Administrator Brock Long said at a news briefing on Friday parts of Florida would be out of electricity for days if not longer. When the storm passes, officials estimate more than 100,000 people may need shelter.
“Hurricane Irma continues to be a threat that is going to devastate the United States in either Florida or some of the southeastern states,” Administrator Long said.
Bryan Norcross, a senior hurricane specialist at The Weather Channel, stressed Gov. Scott’s comments comparing Hurricane Irma to Andrew, which devastated Florida 25 years ago.
“The effect of Irma on the state of Florida is going to be much greater than Andrew’s effect,” said Norcross, who was a local television meteorologist hailed as a hero during Andrew. “We’re dealing with an entirely different level of phenomenon. There is no storm to compare with this. Unless you go way back to 1926.”
