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| Hurricane Irma, Churning Through Caribbean, Hits Turks and Caicos | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 storm with winds of up to 175 miles an hour, continued to tear through the Caribbean on Thursday, leaving devastation in its wake and prompting evacuation orders across the region. | Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 storm with winds of up to 175 miles an hour, continued to tear through the Caribbean on Thursday, leaving devastation in its wake and prompting evacuation orders across the region. |
| The death toll was at least seven on Thursday afternoon, and the authorities warned that the number could rise as communications improved. Prime Minister Édouard Philippe of France said that four people were confirmed dead on the Caribbean island of St. Martin, lowering local rescue officials’ previous count of eight. | The death toll was at least seven on Thursday afternoon, and the authorities warned that the number could rise as communications improved. Prime Minister Édouard Philippe of France said that four people were confirmed dead on the Caribbean island of St. Martin, lowering local rescue officials’ previous count of eight. |
| A St. Martin official said on Wednesday night that “95 percent of the island is destroyed.” | A St. Martin official said on Wednesday night that “95 percent of the island is destroyed.” |
| More than 70 percent of Puerto Rico’s households were without power early Thursday, though the territory appeared to be largely unscathed beyond that, the governor said. By the evening, he said electricity had been restored to 144,000 households, but nearly a million households are still in the dark. | |
| Irma, one of the most powerful Atlantic storms ever recorded, was between Hispaniola (shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti) and the Turks and Caicos Islands on Thursday afternoon, though its winds had weakened slightly. A hurricane watch was issued for South Florida, the Florida Keys, Lake Okeechobee and Florida Bay, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm is expected to move near the southeastern Bahamas on Thursday night, before approaching Cuba on Friday or Saturday. | Irma, one of the most powerful Atlantic storms ever recorded, was between Hispaniola (shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti) and the Turks and Caicos Islands on Thursday afternoon, though its winds had weakened slightly. A hurricane watch was issued for South Florida, the Florida Keys, Lake Okeechobee and Florida Bay, according to the National Hurricane Center. The storm is expected to move near the southeastern Bahamas on Thursday night, before approaching Cuba on Friday or Saturday. |
| Gov. Rick Scott of Florida urged residents to heed the advice of local officials in preparing for a powerful storm that could quickly change its course. “Every Florida family must prepare to evacuate, regardless of the coast you live on,” he said at a news conference. | Gov. Rick Scott of Florida urged residents to heed the advice of local officials in preparing for a powerful storm that could quickly change its course. “Every Florida family must prepare to evacuate, regardless of the coast you live on,” he said at a news conference. |
| Sign up for the Morning Briefing for hurricane news and a daily look at what you need to know to begin your day. | Sign up for the Morning Briefing for hurricane news and a daily look at what you need to know to begin your day. |
| Hurricane Irma slammed into Grand Turk on Thursday evening, ripping off dozens of residential roofs, flooding streets, snapping utility poles and causing an island-wide blackout. It also damaged the roof of the hospital in Cockburn Town, the capital of Turks and Caicos, a British overseas territory. | |
| A government spokesman, Zhavago Jolly, said he had not received any reports of fatalities or injuries. | |
| A national shutdown was declared earlier in the day, halting emergency services. | |
| “All residents and tourists are instructed to stay indoors, as responders will not be able to provide relief services during this time until further notice,” said Virginia Clerveaux, the director of the Disaster Management Department. | “All residents and tourists are instructed to stay indoors, as responders will not be able to provide relief services during this time until further notice,” said Virginia Clerveaux, the director of the Disaster Management Department. |
| By the evening, Providenciales, the most populous of the Turks and Caicos’s 40 islands, was experiencing howling winds, rough seas and steady rain. Hurricane shelters across the island were full. | |
| — HAYDEN BOYCE | — HAYDEN BOYCE |
| The Haitian government called for all institutions, including banks and stores, to be shut down from noon on Thursday until further notice. | The Haitian government called for all institutions, including banks and stores, to be shut down from noon on Thursday until further notice. |
| President Jovenel Moïse said in a televised speech that his cabinet had spent a week preparing for the hurricane, but warned of challenges ahead. He noted that 77 percent of the country is mountainous, and much of it inaccessible by road. | President Jovenel Moïse said in a televised speech that his cabinet had spent a week preparing for the hurricane, but warned of challenges ahead. He noted that 77 percent of the country is mountainous, and much of it inaccessible by road. |
| Mr. Moïse urged people to get to a safe place. “The hurricane is not a game,” he said. | Mr. Moïse urged people to get to a safe place. “The hurricane is not a game,” he said. |
| All schools in the country were closed on Wednesday and Thursday, and more than 800 temporary shelters have opened. | |
| The police are working with local officials to evacuate people from the most vulnerable areas along the northern coast, “by force if necessary,” Interior Minister Max Rudolph Saint-Albin said at a news conference on Thursday. | The police are working with local officials to evacuate people from the most vulnerable areas along the northern coast, “by force if necessary,” Interior Minister Max Rudolph Saint-Albin said at a news conference on Thursday. |
| Officials are worried not just about possible drownings and injuries from the storm, but also that a surge of cholera could follow, as happened last year after Hurricane Matthew devastated the country’s southwest. | Officials are worried not just about possible drownings and injuries from the storm, but also that a surge of cholera could follow, as happened last year after Hurricane Matthew devastated the country’s southwest. |
| The minister of public health, speaking on national television and radio, urged people to add bleach to their drinking and bathing water and to put together first-aid kits. | |
| — CATHERINE PORTER | — CATHERINE PORTER |
| In Puerto Rico, nearly 70 percent of households were without power in the wake of the storm, but the island was otherwise largely unscathed, Gov. Ricardo Rosselló said on Thursday. | In Puerto Rico, nearly 70 percent of households were without power in the wake of the storm, but the island was otherwise largely unscathed, Gov. Ricardo Rosselló said on Thursday. |
| Roughly 40 percent of hospitals were functioning, he said, and were accepting transfers of about 40 patients from the United States Virgin Islands. Power outages have left about 17 percent of Puerto Rico without running water. | Roughly 40 percent of hospitals were functioning, he said, and were accepting transfers of about 40 patients from the United States Virgin Islands. Power outages have left about 17 percent of Puerto Rico without running water. |
| “We would like to start out thanking the Almighty,” Mr. Rosselló said of the relatively small impact, with fallen trees and electrical poles making up the bulk of the damage on the main island. “Our prayers were answered.” | “We would like to start out thanking the Almighty,” Mr. Rosselló said of the relatively small impact, with fallen trees and electrical poles making up the bulk of the damage on the main island. “Our prayers were answered.” |
| Many residents, though grateful the damage was not worse, were furious about the vast power failures. Even before a single raindrop fell, the head of the territory’s bankrupt electric company had predicted that if the storm dealt a wallop, it could take four to six months to fully restore service. | Many residents, though grateful the damage was not worse, were furious about the vast power failures. Even before a single raindrop fell, the head of the territory’s bankrupt electric company had predicted that if the storm dealt a wallop, it could take four to six months to fully restore service. |
| How is it possible, Puerto Ricans wondered aloud, that a hurricane that passed at a distance and hardly claimed a shingle could leave more than a million households in the dark? | How is it possible, Puerto Ricans wondered aloud, that a hurricane that passed at a distance and hardly claimed a shingle could leave more than a million households in the dark? |
| “This is an abuse, a lack of respect,” said Isla Rosado, a 58-year-old secretary. “Irma had not even arrived yet when we were already without power.” | “This is an abuse, a lack of respect,” said Isla Rosado, a 58-year-old secretary. “Irma had not even arrived yet when we were already without power.” |
| Total rainfall on the island ranged from two to eight inches, the governor said, but southern regions are still at risk of flooding because the rain there has not stopped. | Total rainfall on the island ranged from two to eight inches, the governor said, but southern regions are still at risk of flooding because the rain there has not stopped. |
| — FRANCES ROBLES and IVELISSE RIVERA | — FRANCES ROBLES and IVELISSE RIVERA |
| Irma’s 185 m.p.h. winds persisted for more than 24 hours, the longest period ever recorded. The French weather service described it as the most enduring superstorm on record. | Irma’s 185 m.p.h. winds persisted for more than 24 hours, the longest period ever recorded. The French weather service described it as the most enduring superstorm on record. |
| Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda said that half of Barbuda had been left homeless. Officials declared a state of emergency there on Thursday. And another storm, Hurricane Jose, is expected soon. | Prime Minister Gaston Browne of Antigua and Barbuda said that half of Barbuda had been left homeless. Officials declared a state of emergency there on Thursday. And another storm, Hurricane Jose, is expected soon. |
| In the Dominican Republic, officials evacuated some areas near the beachfront town of Cabarete on the north coast, though some residents chose to stay boarded up in their homes and ride it out. | In the Dominican Republic, officials evacuated some areas near the beachfront town of Cabarete on the north coast, though some residents chose to stay boarded up in their homes and ride it out. |
| President Danilo Medina canceled work for public and private companies, and schools were closed until Monday as emergency workers spread out to manage the expected fallout. | President Danilo Medina canceled work for public and private companies, and schools were closed until Monday as emergency workers spread out to manage the expected fallout. |
| Evacuations took place in Samana, a popular resort area. But residents in Cabarete said that so far, the effects of the storm had been relatively mild. | Evacuations took place in Samana, a popular resort area. But residents in Cabarete said that so far, the effects of the storm had been relatively mild. |
| “It’s really not that bad,” said Lindsay Sauvage, who lives with her family in Cabarete and said the electricity had shut off around 3 a.m. “We expected much worse.” | “It’s really not that bad,” said Lindsay Sauvage, who lives with her family in Cabarete and said the electricity had shut off around 3 a.m. “We expected much worse.” |
| — CARL JOSEPH and AZAM AHMED | — CARL JOSEPH and AZAM AHMED |
| Four people have been confirmed dead on the island of St. Martin, Mr. Philippe, the French prime minister, said on Thursday, lowering a previous toll of eight deaths given by local rescue officials. | Four people have been confirmed dead on the island of St. Martin, Mr. Philippe, the French prime minister, said on Thursday, lowering a previous toll of eight deaths given by local rescue officials. |
| Around 50 people were injured, including two seriously, he said, and 65 percent of homes on the island are uninhabitable. Rescue workers are still assessing the damage on St. Martin and St. Barthélemy. | |
| “The destruction is massive,” Interior Minister Gérard Collomb said. | “The destruction is massive,” Interior Minister Gérard Collomb said. |
| “By chance, the airport in the north, the French airport, has not been hit too much, so we are going to be able to land helicopters and then planes,” he said of St. Martin. The southern airport, in the Dutch part of the island, was more severely hit. | “By chance, the airport in the north, the French airport, has not been hit too much, so we are going to be able to land helicopters and then planes,” he said of St. Martin. The southern airport, in the Dutch part of the island, was more severely hit. |
| Mr. Collomb said the French authorities were sending barges filled with water and 100,000 French Army rations to the two islands, enough to sustain people there for four days. | Mr. Collomb said the French authorities were sending barges filled with water and 100,000 French Army rations to the two islands, enough to sustain people there for four days. |
| He said the main priorities were to restore electricity, the desalination plant that provides the island with drinkable water, and phone networks. | He said the main priorities were to restore electricity, the desalination plant that provides the island with drinkable water, and phone networks. |
| The mobile phone company Orange Caraibe said on Twitter that it was restoring phone service to the islands, with 40 percent functioning by late afternoon in St. Martin and 20 percent in St. Barthélemy. | |
| Looting has begun, sometimes in view of police officers who have stood by idly, according to the Guadeloupe 1ère television network. | Looting has begun, sometimes in view of police officers who have stood by idly, according to the Guadeloupe 1ère television network. |
| Daniel Gibbs, the president of the French territorial council on St. Martin, told Radio Caraïbes International on Wednesday night that “95 percent of the island is destroyed.” | Daniel Gibbs, the president of the French territorial council on St. Martin, told Radio Caraïbes International on Wednesday night that “95 percent of the island is destroyed.” |
| “There are shipwrecks everywhere, destroyed houses everywhere, torn-off roofs everywhere,” Mr. Gibbs said. “It’s just unbelievable. It’s indescribable.” | “There are shipwrecks everywhere, destroyed houses everywhere, torn-off roofs everywhere,” Mr. Gibbs said. “It’s just unbelievable. It’s indescribable.” |
| Asked what the island needed, Mr. Gibbs said, “Everything.” | Asked what the island needed, Mr. Gibbs said, “Everything.” |
| — AURELIEN BREEDEN, ELIAN PELTIER and PAULINA VILLEGAS | — AURELIEN BREEDEN, ELIAN PELTIER and PAULINA VILLEGAS |
| As the Turks and Caicos Islands, a British territory, braced for Hurricane Irma, London came under criticism for not doing enough for territories hit by the storm, like the British Virgin Islands and Anguilla, where one person died. | As the Turks and Caicos Islands, a British territory, braced for Hurricane Irma, London came under criticism for not doing enough for territories hit by the storm, like the British Virgin Islands and Anguilla, where one person died. |
| Some argued that the British response was tepid compared with France’s. Josephine Gumbs-Connor, a lawyer from Anguilla, told the BBC that the British government should have done more. | Some argued that the British response was tepid compared with France’s. Josephine Gumbs-Connor, a lawyer from Anguilla, told the BBC that the British government should have done more. |
| “The French made sure they had military on the ground so the response given is timely, which makes it effective, which makes it helpful to our people,” she said. | “The French made sure they had military on the ground so the response given is timely, which makes it effective, which makes it helpful to our people,” she said. |
| Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, defended the government, saying it had responded quickly. And Priti Patel, the international development secretary, said a naval ship had been deployed to the region with 40 Marines, Army engineers, vehicles, tents and equipment. Britain has also sent three experts in humanitarian interventions, she said. | Boris Johnson, the foreign secretary, defended the government, saying it had responded quickly. And Priti Patel, the international development secretary, said a naval ship had been deployed to the region with 40 Marines, Army engineers, vehicles, tents and equipment. Britain has also sent three experts in humanitarian interventions, she said. |
| — DAN BILEFSKY and ILIANA MAGRA | — DAN BILEFSKY and ILIANA MAGRA |
| The hurricane is expected to be Category 4 when it makes landfall in Florida on Saturday, the National Hurricane Center said. Tropical-storm-force winds are expected to batter the Florida Keys, which are under a mandatory evacuation order. | |
| President Trump has declared a state of emergency in Florida, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands. He said on Thursday that Florida was “as well-prepared as you can be for something like this.” | President Trump has declared a state of emergency in Florida, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands. He said on Thursday that Florida was “as well-prepared as you can be for something like this.” |
| Gov. Rick Scott of Florida said he planned to activate 7,000 National Guard soldiers by Friday. He warned on NBC’s “Today” show on Thursday that Irma was “way bigger than Hurricane Andrew,” which hit the state hard in 1992, and that it could strike either coast. | Gov. Rick Scott of Florida said he planned to activate 7,000 National Guard soldiers by Friday. He warned on NBC’s “Today” show on Thursday that Irma was “way bigger than Hurricane Andrew,” which hit the state hard in 1992, and that it could strike either coast. |
| “Everybody needs to listen to local officials about evacuation orders,” Mr. Scott said. “Make sure you have a plan.” | “Everybody needs to listen to local officials about evacuation orders,” Mr. Scott said. “Make sure you have a plan.” |
| On CBS’s “This Morning,” Mr. Scott said that fuel was a particular concern — one that he discussed with the White House and with Energy Secretary Rick Perry on Wednesday — and that highways were already becoming crowded. | On CBS’s “This Morning,” Mr. Scott said that fuel was a particular concern — one that he discussed with the White House and with Energy Secretary Rick Perry on Wednesday — and that highways were already becoming crowded. |
| Rosi Edreira, 49, said she and her husband were evacuating from Miami. She stayed put during Hurricane Andrew 25 years ago, and “I’m not doing that again,” she said. | Rosi Edreira, 49, said she and her husband were evacuating from Miami. She stayed put during Hurricane Andrew 25 years ago, and “I’m not doing that again,” she said. |
| “When they start comparing it to Andrew,” Ms. Edreira added, “that’s not a good sign.” | “When they start comparing it to Andrew,” Ms. Edreira added, “that’s not a good sign.” |
| In Florida, voluntary or mandatory evacuation orders are in place in Miami-Dade County, the Florida Keys, and portions of Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Flagler, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lee, Manatee, Martin, Monroe, Palm Beach, Pinellas and Volusia Counties. | In Florida, voluntary or mandatory evacuation orders are in place in Miami-Dade County, the Florida Keys, and portions of Brevard, Broward, Charlotte, Collier, Flagler, Hillsborough, Indian River, Lee, Manatee, Martin, Monroe, Palm Beach, Pinellas and Volusia Counties. |
| In Georgia, Gov. Nathan Deal ordered mandatory evacuations beginning on Saturday for all areas east of Interstate 95, including Savannah, as well as for some inland areas where storm surge might occur. | In Georgia, Gov. Nathan Deal ordered mandatory evacuations beginning on Saturday for all areas east of Interstate 95, including Savannah, as well as for some inland areas where storm surge might occur. |
| Mr. Scott said the storm surge in Florida would be unlike anything the state had seen. “This storm surge can kill you,” he said. | Mr. Scott said the storm surge in Florida would be unlike anything the state had seen. “This storm surge can kill you,” he said. |
| Elizabeth Chifari, who has lived in Miami for 40 years, said she was nervous but determined to ride the storm out at home with her cat. She would have gone to stay with her son, she said, but he lives in Houston, which was just ravaged by Hurricane Harvey. | Elizabeth Chifari, who has lived in Miami for 40 years, said she was nervous but determined to ride the storm out at home with her cat. She would have gone to stay with her son, she said, but he lives in Houston, which was just ravaged by Hurricane Harvey. |
| “I don’t know what else I can do,” Ms. Chifari, 66, said. “I had to make a decision. It might not have been the right decision.” | “I don’t know what else I can do,” Ms. Chifari, 66, said. “I had to make a decision. It might not have been the right decision.” |
| — MAGGIE ASTOR, JONAH ENGEL BROMWICH, EMILY COCHRANE, FRANCES ROBLES and TIMOTHY WILLIAMS | — MAGGIE ASTOR, JONAH ENGEL BROMWICH, EMILY COCHRANE, FRANCES ROBLES and TIMOTHY WILLIAMS |