Irma Turns Towards Florida

Hurricane Irma is now a Category Three storm as her strong winds and outer rain bands lash the Florida Keys today.

Irma is moving towards Florida with harsh winds, heavy rain and a potentially deadly storm surge. The National Hurricane Center says Irma's sustained winds are at 125 miles-per-hour as she hits Cuba's northern coast.

Irma's eye is forecast to hit part of the Florida Keys tomorrow morning and then move up the state's southwestern coast later in the day.

The NOAA says there is imminent danger of life-threatening storm surge flooding in portions of central and southern Florida, and a surge storm warning is in effect for the Florida Keys.  The NOAA said the greatest surge risk is along the southwest coast of Florida.  It warns of ten-to-15-feet of flooding above ground level.

Beach evacuations are underway along Florida's northeast coast in Jacksonville as people board up and get out ahead of Hurricane Irma. City officials have issued mandatory evacuation orders for parts of the city. Those orders affect people living in mobile homes and in coastal and low-lying areas. Numerous shelters have been opened throughout the city.

Although the hurricane is expected to track along the state's west coast, it's still expected to pound the east coast with hurricane force wind gusts tomorrow night through Monday morning.

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