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| Hurricane Irma Barrels Toward Cuba and Florida; Death Toll at Least 19 | |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Right Now: Hurricane Irma, one of the strongest Atlantic Ocean hurricanes ever recorded, is heading toward the mainland United States. | |
| • The National Hurricane Center downgraded Irma to a Category 4 storm but said it remained “extremely dangerous,” with winds of 150 miles per hour and the Florida Keys at risk of “life-threatening inundation.” | • The National Hurricane Center downgraded Irma to a Category 4 storm but said it remained “extremely dangerous,” with winds of 150 miles per hour and the Florida Keys at risk of “life-threatening inundation.” |
| • Ferocious winds and rain could hit the Florida Keys by late Saturday, with the hurricane reaching heavily populated areas of South Florida on Sunday morning. | • Ferocious winds and rain could hit the Florida Keys by late Saturday, with the hurricane reaching heavily populated areas of South Florida on Sunday morning. |
| • The hurricane battered the Turks and Caicos Islands early Friday as it headed toward the southeastern Bahamas, where 20-foot storm surges are expected. Tourists on Cuba’s northern coast were also evacuated. | • The hurricane battered the Turks and Caicos Islands early Friday as it headed toward the southeastern Bahamas, where 20-foot storm surges are expected. Tourists on Cuba’s northern coast were also evacuated. |
| • At least 19 people have died because of the storm: nine in the French Caribbean, four in the United States Virgin Islands, three in Puerto Rico, one on the Dutch side of St. Martin, one in Barbuda and one in Anguilla. | |
| Irma is among the strongest hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean and one of the five most forceful storms to hit the Atlantic basin in 82 years, according to the National Hurricane Center. | Irma is among the strongest hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean and one of the five most forceful storms to hit the Atlantic basin in 82 years, according to the National Hurricane Center. |
| At 5 a.m. Eastern, the center downgraded the hurricane to Category 4, based on the lower intensity of sustained winds. But the center warned that the tempest remained “extremely dangerous,” with potentially deadly storm surges across a wide section of the United States. | At 5 a.m. Eastern, the center downgraded the hurricane to Category 4, based on the lower intensity of sustained winds. But the center warned that the tempest remained “extremely dangerous,” with potentially deadly storm surges across a wide section of the United States. |
| As of 8 a.m., the hurricane continued to move west. “The eye of Irma should near the north coast of Cuba and the central Bahamas today and Saturday, and be near the Florida Keys and the southern Florida Peninsula Sunday morning,” the center said. | As of 8 a.m., the hurricane continued to move west. “The eye of Irma should near the north coast of Cuba and the central Bahamas today and Saturday, and be near the Florida Keys and the southern Florida Peninsula Sunday morning,” the center said. |
| Storm surges as high as 15 to 20 feet were expected in the Turks and Caicos, and in the southeastern and central Bahamas; five to 10 feet on the northern coast of Cuba and the northwestern Bahamas; and one to three feet on the northern coast of Haiti. | Storm surges as high as 15 to 20 feet were expected in the Turks and Caicos, and in the southeastern and central Bahamas; five to 10 feet on the northern coast of Cuba and the northwestern Bahamas; and one to three feet on the northern coast of Haiti. |
| Much of the South Florida coast, including the Keys, could face up to five to 10 feet of storm surge. — SEWELL CHAN | Much of the South Florida coast, including the Keys, could face up to five to 10 feet of storm surge. — SEWELL CHAN |
| A storm-surge warning was in effect across much of South Florida — from the Jupiter Inlet on the Atlantic coast to Bonita Beach on the Gulf of Mexico — including the Keys. | A storm-surge warning was in effect across much of South Florida — from the Jupiter Inlet on the Atlantic coast to Bonita Beach on the Gulf of Mexico — including the Keys. |
| In Florida, voluntary or mandatory evacuation orders were in place in Miami-Dade County, the Keys and portions of numerous other counties — including the part of Palm Beach County that is home to Mar-a-Lago, one of President Trump’s estates. (Mr. Trump also owns property on the French side of St. Martin, which was devastated by the storm.) | In Florida, voluntary or mandatory evacuation orders were in place in Miami-Dade County, the Keys and portions of numerous other counties — including the part of Palm Beach County that is home to Mar-a-Lago, one of President Trump’s estates. (Mr. Trump also owns property on the French side of St. Martin, which was devastated by the storm.) |
| In Miami on Thursday, people lined up for bottled water, and drivers waited for hours to get gasoline. Gasoline shortages in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area were reported. | In Miami on Thursday, people lined up for bottled water, and drivers waited for hours to get gasoline. Gasoline shortages in the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area were reported. |
| A mandatory evacuation was to begin on Saturday on Georgia’s Atlantic Coast, Gov. Nathan Deal said. The Georgia Ports Authority said the ports of Savannah, the fourth-largest container port in the United States, and Brunswick would be closed starting Saturday. | A mandatory evacuation was to begin on Saturday on Georgia’s Atlantic Coast, Gov. Nathan Deal said. The Georgia Ports Authority said the ports of Savannah, the fourth-largest container port in the United States, and Brunswick would be closed starting Saturday. |
| Three people were killed in Puerto Rico, and around two-thirds of the population lost electricity, Gov. Ricardo Rosselló said. | Three people were killed in Puerto Rico, and around two-thirds of the population lost electricity, Gov. Ricardo Rosselló said. |
| Four people died in the United States Virgin Islands, and a major hospital was badly damaged by the wind. An amphibious assault ship arrived in the territory on Thursday and sent helicopters to help evacuate patients from the hospital. — SEWELL CHAN | Four people died in the United States Virgin Islands, and a major hospital was badly damaged by the wind. An amphibious assault ship arrived in the territory on Thursday and sent helicopters to help evacuate patients from the hospital. — SEWELL CHAN |
| The island of Barbuda — where nearly all buildings were reduced “to rubble,” according to Prime Minister Gaston Browne — braced for new hardship, in the form of Hurricane Jose. | The island of Barbuda — where nearly all buildings were reduced “to rubble,” according to Prime Minister Gaston Browne — braced for new hardship, in the form of Hurricane Jose. |
| France’s president, Emmanuel Macron, was in Greece for an official visit but planned to travel to the Caribbean once the weather permitted it. | France’s president, Emmanuel Macron, was in Greece for an official visit but planned to travel to the Caribbean once the weather permitted it. |
| Irma bypassed the Dominican Republic and Haiti, which share the island of Hispaniola, but damage from flooding and power outages was reported on the Haitian side. | Irma bypassed the Dominican Republic and Haiti, which share the island of Hispaniola, but damage from flooding and power outages was reported on the Haitian side. |
| Cuba started evacuating some of the 51,000 tourists visiting the island, particularly 36,000 people at resorts on the northern coast. | Cuba started evacuating some of the 51,000 tourists visiting the island, particularly 36,000 people at resorts on the northern coast. |
| John McKendrick, the attorney general of Anguilla, said on Thursday that the island had suffered “huge devastation” from the hurricane. | John McKendrick, the attorney general of Anguilla, said on Thursday that the island had suffered “huge devastation” from the hurricane. |
| Up to 90 percent of the homes on the island were damaged, fallen trees blocked many roads, cellphone service was interrupted and electrical service was cut. The entire island was still without power midday Thursday, he said. | Up to 90 percent of the homes on the island were damaged, fallen trees blocked many roads, cellphone service was interrupted and electrical service was cut. The entire island was still without power midday Thursday, he said. |
| In addition, the ports and the airport remained closed because of damage. | In addition, the ports and the airport remained closed because of damage. |
| “It’s been bad,” Mr. McKendrick said by telephone interview from London, where he was traveling when the hurricane struck the island. “A lot of people are exhausted and a lot of homes are damaged.” | “It’s been bad,” Mr. McKendrick said by telephone interview from London, where he was traveling when the hurricane struck the island. “A lot of people are exhausted and a lot of homes are damaged.” |
| Hurricane Irma comes just weeks after Hurricane Harvey claimed about 60 lives and caused property damage estimated at $180 billion in Texas and Louisiana. — SEWELL CHAN | Hurricane Irma comes just weeks after Hurricane Harvey claimed about 60 lives and caused property damage estimated at $180 billion in Texas and Louisiana. — SEWELL CHAN |
| In the United States Virgin Islands, the hurricane tore the roofs off many homes and businesses, knocked down power lines, flooded two shelters and caused “catastrophic failures” at the Roy Lester Schneider Hospital. As of Friday, the full impact — particularly on the islands of St. Thomas and St. John — was still being assessed, but officials confirmed that at least four people had died. | |
| President Trump declared a disaster in the United States Virgin Islands, freeing up federal aid to the territory. — KIRK SEMPLE | |
| Several of the places hit hardest by the storm are territories of Britain, France or the Netherlands, and the speed of the response from European governments has at times come under criticism. | Several of the places hit hardest by the storm are territories of Britain, France or the Netherlands, and the speed of the response from European governments has at times come under criticism. |
| The British government has been accused of providing a lackluster response to the crisis, particularly compared with the responses of the French and Dutch governments. Among the most vociferous critics was the former British representative to Anguilla, Dorothea Hodge, who called the government’s reaction “pathetic” and “disgraceful,” according to The Guardian. | The British government has been accused of providing a lackluster response to the crisis, particularly compared with the responses of the French and Dutch governments. Among the most vociferous critics was the former British representative to Anguilla, Dorothea Hodge, who called the government’s reaction “pathetic” and “disgraceful,” according to The Guardian. |
| Early Thursday, John McKendrick, Anguilla’s attorney general, also prodded the British government, writing on Twitter: “Responses need to speed up. #Anguilla needs urgent assistance.” | Early Thursday, John McKendrick, Anguilla’s attorney general, also prodded the British government, writing on Twitter: “Responses need to speed up. #Anguilla needs urgent assistance.” |
| Later Thursday, he said in the interview, “Things are happening.” But he added: “Britain has a constitutional and moral obligation to its overseas territories to make sure they’re rebuilt and they’re safe.” | Later Thursday, he said in the interview, “Things are happening.” But he added: “Britain has a constitutional and moral obligation to its overseas territories to make sure they’re rebuilt and they’re safe.” |
| On Friday, Britain’s foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, announced an aid package of 32 million pounds, or about $42 million, on Friday, and said that British troops, diplomats and aid workers were en route. An amphibious warship, the Mounts Bay, will be moving from Anguilla to the British Virgin Islands to distribute aid there, he said. | On Friday, Britain’s foreign secretary, Boris Johnson, announced an aid package of 32 million pounds, or about $42 million, on Friday, and said that British troops, diplomats and aid workers were en route. An amphibious warship, the Mounts Bay, will be moving from Anguilla to the British Virgin Islands to distribute aid there, he said. |
| An amphibious assault ship, the Ocean, has also been deployed to the region. | An amphibious assault ship, the Ocean, has also been deployed to the region. |
| The king of the Netherlands, Willem-Alexander, will fly to the Dutch Caribbean island of Curaçao on Sunday to inspect the coordination of relief efforts for the Dutch side of St. Martin, the palace announced on Friday. | |
| — KIRK SEMPLE | — KIRK SEMPLE |
| France’s interior minister, Gérard Collomb, said on Friday at a news conference in Paris that at least nine people had been killed by Hurricane Irma on the French islands of Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy, up from a previous toll of 4. | France’s interior minister, Gérard Collomb, said on Friday at a news conference in Paris that at least nine people had been killed by Hurricane Irma on the French islands of Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy, up from a previous toll of 4. |
| Seven people were missing and 112 were wounded, Mr. Collomb added. He said that the priority was still to rescue people, but also to re-establish order, after witnesses on the islands reported sporadic looting. | Seven people were missing and 112 were wounded, Mr. Collomb added. He said that the priority was still to rescue people, but also to re-establish order, after witnesses on the islands reported sporadic looting. |
| Mr. Collomb said that power on Saint Barthélemy was close to being restored and that on Saint Martin the hospital and town hall now had electricity. | Mr. Collomb said that power on Saint Barthélemy was close to being restored and that on Saint Martin the hospital and town hall now had electricity. |
| Mr. Collomb said that Hurricane Jose, which is coming on the heels of Hurricane Irma, would hit Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy over the weekend, complicating rescue operations there. | Mr. Collomb said that Hurricane Jose, which is coming on the heels of Hurricane Irma, would hit Saint Martin and Saint Barthélemy over the weekend, complicating rescue operations there. |
| He added that Jose was expected to steer clear of Guadeloupe, a French island further to the south, which France is using as a base to coordinate aid and rescue operations. — AURELIEN BREEDEN | He added that Jose was expected to steer clear of Guadeloupe, a French island further to the south, which France is using as a base to coordinate aid and rescue operations. — AURELIEN BREEDEN |
| The dollar fell about 0.5 percent against the euro on Friday, partly on fears of the economic damage caused by the storm. Reinsurance companies were also hit, led by Everest Re, which fell 6.8 percent on Thursday. | The dollar fell about 0.5 percent against the euro on Friday, partly on fears of the economic damage caused by the storm. Reinsurance companies were also hit, led by Everest Re, which fell 6.8 percent on Thursday. |
| “After Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma opens up a threatening scenario, potentially turning a normal year into a weak year for reinsurers,” Frank Kopfinger, an analyst at Deutsche Bank, said in a note to clients. — PRASHANT S. RAO | “After Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma opens up a threatening scenario, potentially turning a normal year into a weak year for reinsurers,” Frank Kopfinger, an analyst at Deutsche Bank, said in a note to clients. — PRASHANT S. RAO |