Hurricane Irma upgraded to category 4 as wind speed increases

Last updated: September 4, 2017 at 11:59 pm

Hurricane Irma has been upgraded to category 4 as hurricane warnings have been declared for a number of islands in the eastern Caribbean.

The latest update from the Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) puts hurricane warnings in effect for Antigua, Barbuda, Anguilla, Montserrat, St Kitts, and Nevis in the most danger.

Saba, St Eustatius, Sint Maarten, St Martin and St Barthelemy have also had hurricane warnings declared by their parent governments.

"A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected

somewhere within the warning area,” said the NHC.

A warning is typically issued 36 hours before the anticipated first occurrence of tropical-storm-force winds, conditions that make outside preparations difficult or dangerous.

“Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion,” the NHC added.

Earlier today an aircraft from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has found that the maximum sustained winds of Hurricane Irma were reaching 130mph (215kmph) with higher gusts.

This up from the 115mph at the start of Monday.

Dominica has been placed under a tropical storm watch.

Forecasters are predicting that tropical storm-force winds will begin in the Leeward Islands late on Tuesday.

Antigua and Barbuda could be at the centre of the passage.

At the last update the centre of Hurricane Irma is 490miles (790km) east of the Leeward Islands, travelling west-southwest at 14pmh (22kmph).

Other islands should monitor the progress of Hurricane Irma, the NHC warned.

‘Feeder bands’ of the hurricane are expected to begin affecting the Lesser Antilles from this evening.

Could Hurricane Irma path get worse?

Monday has been a day of constantly evolving weather forecasts, as precautionary watches quickly changed to the more serious hurricane warnings.

LIAT has already cancelled all it's flights today.

“Irma is on a projected path that brings the cyclone dangerously close to the Leeward Islands on Tuesday night,” said Orvin Paige, a forecaster for the Antigua and Barbuda Meteorological Service.

“A turn to the west and subsequently west-northwest is forecast over the 36 hours. Should there be any delay in this shift in motion, Irma could move directly over the islands.

“This means that stronger winds and heavier rainfall could be worse than previously anticipated for these islands.”

According to the Viola Pascal of the Dominica Meteorological Service, people should be prepared whatever direction Hurricane Irma veers.

“Regardless of the projected path, a deterioration in conditions to include showers, thunderstorms, gusty winds and dangerous seas are expected, especially on Tuesday and Wednesday,” she said.

“All users of the sea are advised to be vigilant and make all preparations to protect life and property by Monday.”

Preparation

Dominica’s fishermen, especially those in the north of the island, are being urged to suspend fishing activities today and secure all their gear.

Shelter managers have been advised to secure keys.

Similar planning is underway in St Kitts and Nevis

The Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender Affairs and Social Services has warned that the path is still uncertain but that the “chance of it [Hurricane Irma] having an impact on the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis is increasing.”

[caption id="attachment_2379" align="alignleft" width="300"] Deputy Prime Minister of St Kitts and Nevis, Shawn Richards.[/caption]

“As this is the annual Atlantic hurricane season, it bodes well for all citizens and residents to play a major role in their own safety and security during natural disasters,” said Shawn Richards, St Kitts and Nevis deputy prime minister.

Gaston Browne, prime minister of Antigua and Barbuda, urged people to take preventative measures in case Hurricane Irma hits.

This includes cleaning drains and removing objects that could be sent airborne by high winds.

The Ministry of Education has ordered that all public educational institutions in Antigua-Barbuda stay closed today and tomorrow.

Hurricane Irma: following ‘intense hurricanes’ pattern

Irma has been described as is a classic ‘Cape Verde hurricane’, a type of hurricane that forms in the far eastern Atlantic before churning all the way across the Atlantic.

Cape Verde storms frequently become some of the largest and most intense hurricanes, such as Hurricane Hugo and Hurricane Ivan.

Hurricane Irma comes on the heels of Hurricane Harvey, which killed at least 39 people and caused devastating floods in Houston and other areas along America’s Gulf Coast.

In a series of tweets yesterday, Sunday, Florida governor Rick Scott urged the state’s residents to ensure their disaster supply kits were ready.

“Disaster preparedness should be a priority for every Florida family,” Scott tweeted.