Florida governor declares state of emergency ahead of Irma

<p>The governor of Florida has declared a state of emergency for the state as Hurricane Irma strengthens to a Category 4 storm.</p>

News 12 Staff

Sep 4, 2017, 11:10 PM

Updated 2,572 days ago

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Florida governor declares state of emergency ahead of Irma
The governor of Florida has declared a state of emergency for the state as Hurricane Irma strengthens to a Category 4 storm.
Gov. Rick Scott says that he made the announcement in order to help state, federal and local governments work together as the storm approaches.
“I urge all Floridians to remain vigilant and stay alert to local weather and news,” Scott said on Twitter.
The governor also urged all residents to visit the state’s disaster website for information about how to be better prepared.
Hurricane Irma became a Category 4 storm Monday as it approached the northeastern Caribbean.
The storm had maximum sustained winds of 130 mph late Monday afternoon, and the U.S. National Hurricane Center said additional strengthening was expected. Irma was centered 490 miles east of the Leeward Islands and moving west at 13 mph.
Emergency officials warned that the storm could dump up to 10 inches of rain, unleash landslides and dangerous flash floods and generate waves of up to 23 feet as the storm drew closer to the islands.
The storm threat comes as parts of Texas and Louisiana are still dealing with the devastating effects of Hurricane Harvey. That storm dumped a record-breaking amount of rain on Texas.
Harvey was blamed for the deaths of at least 60 people.
The Associated Press wire services contributed to this report.