Note: Please click here for an article with updated information pertaining to Hurricane Irma.
A state of emergency has been declared by Rick Scott — who is the current governor of Florida — for all 67 counties in the state as issued in Executive Order 17-235 in anticipation of Hurricane Irma.
Entire State of Florida Under State of Emergency; Tolls Suspended Because of Hurricane Irma
Additionally, all tolls on highways across the entire state have been suspended by the Florida Department of Transportation for the purpose of easier evacuation and preparation; and the tolls will remain suspended for the entire duration of the effects of the storm.
Also, “the State Emergency Operations Center has been activated to level one, which is a full-scale, 24-hours-a-day activation”, according to this article posted at the official Internet web site of the Florida Division of Emergency Management.
Residents are already queuing in long lines at grocery stores, home improvement stores and fuel stations to stock up on supplies in anticipation of Hurricane Irma, which — at maximum sustained winds of 185 miles per hour and a barometric pressure of 926 millibars — has been declared the second most powerful hurricane in the history of tropical systems in the Atlantic basin.
Many airlines have already issued travel waivers for many areas of Florida in anticipation of the arrival of Hurricane Irma, which is expected to arrive in southern Florida by Sunday evening, September 10, 2017.
Summary
Unless you have urgent business, please avoid travel to Florida at this time.
If you are located anywhere in the state of Florida, prepare yourself for the arrival of Hurricane Irma. If you plan on staying, choose a building which has official been declared a storm shelter and can withstand the power of a major hurricane, and stay at least one floor above the ground floor to avoid flooding. Stay away from windows. Ensure that you have drinking water, non-perishable food, medications and other essential items for the duration of the weather event. Ensure that your portable electronic devices are fully charged; and use them only if absolutely necessary, as electrical power will likely be disrupted.
If you plan on evacuating — which may be mandatory, depending on where you are located — plan your route now. Ensure that the fuel tank in your vehicle is full and that it is in good working condition before evacuation; and load your vehicle with the aforementioned essential supplies.
Regardless of whether you stay or leave, be prepared and do not panic. Keep yourself updated with the latest information pertaining to Hurricane Irma.
Photograph ©2015 by Brian Cohen.
