Hurricane Irma Update – 11AM Sep 10, 2017

Hurricane Irma made landfall traversed the Florida Keys overnight as a powerful 130 mph Category 4 storm. As suspected, it was able to re-strengthen slightly over the warm waters of the Florida Straits. Landfall on the southwest coast of Florida somewhere near Naples is imminent. The forecast track is a worst case scenario for Tampa Bay, which could experience a direct hit from Irma’s eye as a Category 3 storm.

Current Situation

As of 11AM, Irma was a Category 4 storm with max sustained winds of 130 mph. It was located in the Gulf of Mexico between Key West and Naples and moving north or north-northwest.

Headlines

  • Landfall on southwest Florida will occur this afternoon as a Category 4. Devastating wind damage is expected.
  • Storm surge will occur on the southwestern side of Irma. As of now, offshore winds from the north side of Irma are pushing water out to sea. This water will return as a storm surge once winds shift to onshore on the backside of the storm.
  • Devastating winds impacts are expected for Tampa Bay with this forecast track. This will be the first direct impact of a hurricane of this magnitude in Tampa Bay since 1921.
  • Heavy, flooding rain is expected across Florida as well as much farther inland in the Southeast.

Forecast Track

Forecast models are tightly clustered on a solution that takes Irma right up the west coast of Florida. This puts the cities of Naples, Fort Myers, Port Charlotte, and Tampa Bay at high risk of experiencing the worst winds from Irma’s core.

Forecast Intensity

Irma is expected to weaken as it moves up through the coast of Florida. However, it will still be a dangerous Category 3 or strong Category 2 storm when passing Tampa Bay. It will also likely bring strong winds to large parts of Georgia.

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