Today is September 11. Let’s pause for a moment to remember the victims of the terrorist attacks 16 years ago. Now, here’s everything you need to know about the devastation that Hurricane Irma has wrought. You can follow live updates here or watch unlimited CNN. Also, CNN.com is offering a text-only version of its web site that’s easier to load in low-bandwidth areas. (You can also get “5 Things You Need to Know Today” delivered to your inbox daily. Sign up here.)
HURRICANE IRMA
Where it is now
One of the strongest storms to ever hit the US, Irma weakened to a Category 1 overnight. But it’s still dangerous. Early this morning, the eye of the storm was about 60 miles north of Tampa, with sustained winds of about 75 mph and wind gusts up to 90 mph. This means, Most of the state will continue to feel Irma’s effects — windy conditions and torrential downpours.
Where it is going
Irma’s moving northwest through the western part of the Florida peninsula and into the southeastern US. So, later today, parts of Georgia and Alabama will be battered by Irma’s strong winds and heavy rains. Irma will weaken to a tropical storm this morning and to a tropical depression by this afternoon. Many schools in Alabama and Georgia have already canceled classes today and tomorrow.
Where it has been
After wreaking havoc in the Caribbean (and killing at least 26 people there), Irma slammed into the Florida Keys as a monstrous Category 4 hurricane. A few hours later Irma made a second landfall at Marco Island, before the storm barreled its way through Tampa.
What it has wrought
Streets in Miami turned into raging rivers as floodwaters surged in the city, and the airport is closed because of “significant water damage.” Cranes collapsed. There are boil water orders in parts of Broward County, and Miami-Dade School are closed until further notice.
Strong winds blew water right off bays and harbors in Tampa and Port Charlotte. Devastating storm surges battered coastlines all over Florida. Right now, nearly four million customers in the state don’t have power, and FEMA chief Brock Long said some places won’t have electricity for weeks.
A pair of tornadoes touched down in Brevard County — and tornadoes are among a hurricane’s potent threats. Venice shut down its water plant. Even Disney World was forced to close, for only the sixth time in its 45-year history.
This is the first time the US has been hit with two Category 4 storms in the same year, and Harvey and Irma will exact a huge financial toll. One company estimates Irma will cause $50 billion worth of losses in the US.
We’re getting some reports of deaths, but it’s just too early right now to know what the final toll from Irma will be in the US.
How we have responded
First responders are only now getting out to assess the damage Irma brought to Florida. There are rescues underway along the intercoastal waterway in Daytona Beach, with responders plucking people out of apartment buildings. In St. Petersburg, rescuers watched helplessly as 911 calls piled up because it was just too windy and too dangerous for them to be outside.
Cops in Miami are reminding people that just because the storm has passed, the danger isn’t over. They’re also arresting people for looting — nearly 30 arrests so far.
US warships began relief efforts last week, and now cruise ships are getting involved. Royal Caribbean is sending two ships to St. Thomas and St. Maarten, while Norwegian Cruise Line is sending a ship to St. Thomas to pick up about 2,000 people who couldn’t get off the island before the storm.
Farther north in Atlanta, informal networks of residents have taken in Irma evacuees, and one group even threw a surprise birthday party for a 6-year-old girl.
Moving along
This flock of flamingos in Tampa Bay were a part of the 12,000 animals Busch Gardens moved to safety because of Irma.
No snow day
Insulation rained down in Miami because of Irma.
BY THE NUMBERS
All the records Irma’s already broken
The longest Category 5 hurricane since satellite storm-tracking began
No other storm on record maintained winds 185 mph or above as long as Irma did
It prompted the largest evacuation in the history of the Bahamas — and potentially the largest in the US
Here are some other startling stats about the fury and impact of Hurricane Irma.
IN OTHER NEWS
Here’s what’s happening elsewhere
Mexico: At least 90 people are now confirmed dead in the quake that struck off Mexico’s southern coast, the most powerful to hit the country in a century.
Myanmar: Myanmar’s government has rejected a proposed ceasefire by militants, saying they don’t “negotiate with terrorists.” This, as more than a quarter of a million Rohingya refugees flooded into Bangladesh in just two weeks, fleeing violence in the country’s Rakhine state.
North Korea: The UN Security Council is expected to impose new sanctions against North Korea today. If it happens, Pyongyang – never once to mince words – is promising the US “the greatest pain and suffering it had ever gone through in its entire history.”
US: Attorney General Jeff Sessions has floated the idea of giving polygraph tests to National Security Council staff to figure out who’s leaking classified information to the media, a source says.
AND FINALLY…
Wind whipped
What’s it like to report from the middle of a hurricane? CNN meteorologist Derek Van Dam says it’s like being hit by a blast from a jet engine. (Click to view)