Hurricane Irma now Category 5, residents of all islands under hurricane watch urged to take precautions. (UPDATE 9)

September 5, 2017

IRMA strongest Hurricane in the Atlantic packing 185MPH

PHILIPSBURG/MARIGOT:— Heads of Government from both sides of the island of St. Maarten/ St. Martin have been urging residents to take all necessary precautions as Hurricane Irma approaches the island. At 11AM on Tuesday, September 5th, Hurricane Irma strengthened to a category five hurricane which means Irma will be packing 185 MPH and is moving 14MPH, central pressure is 929 millibars, located about 300 miles of the St. Maarten. Good to note is that Irma will pass on the North side of the Leeward Islands which is the worst side of the storm.
Portions of the Leewards Islands, St. Martin, Guadeloupe, St. Barths are all under hurricane watch. Residents on St. Maarten/ St. Martin are urged to stock up on water and both sides desalination plants are expected to close down on Tuesday as the storm approaches both plants will reopen when the hurricane Irma passes and the seas become calm.
As Hurricane strengthens US territory such as Puerto Rico and Florida begin preparing for the worst hurricane of the 2017 season.

…POTENTIALLY CATASTROPHIC CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE IRMA GETTING VERY CLOSE TO THE NORTHERN LEEWARD ISLANDS…
..WEATHER CONDITIONS ARE DETERIORATING OVER THE LEEWARD ISLANDS…
Location: Lat. 17.4N ….Lon. 61.1W
About: 138 miles SE of St. Maarten
Maximum sustained winds: 185 mph ….295 KM/H
Present Movement: WNW or…285 degrees at 15 mph…24 KM/H
Minimum Central Pressure: 916 mb….27.05 inches
DISCUSSION AND 24-HOUR OUTLOOK
AT 11:00 PM…THE EYE OF HURRICANE IRMA WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 17.4 NORTH…LONGITUDE 61.1 WEST OR ABOUT 138 MILES SOUTHEAST OF ST. MAARTEN.
IRMA IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST NORTHWEST NEAR 15 MPH (24 KM/H).
THIS MOTION IS EXPECTED TO CONTINUE FOR THE NEXT COUPLE OF DAYS.
ON THE FORECAST TRACK, THE CENTER OF IRMA WILL MOVE EXTREMELY CLOSE TO ST. MAARTEN SOMETIME ON WEDNESDAY MORNING. HOWEVER STORM CONDITIONS WILL BEGIN TONIGHT.
MAXIMUM SUSTAINNED WINDS ARE NEAR 185 MPH…295 KM/H…WITH HIGHER GUSTS.
IRMA IS AN EXTREMELY DANGEROUS CATEGORY 5 HURRICANE.
SOME FLUCTIONS IN INTENSITY ARE LIKELY DURING THE NEXT DAY OR TWO, BUT IRMA IS FORECAST TO REMAIN A POWERFUL CATEGORY 4 OR 5 HURRICANE.
HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 50 MILES (85KM) FROM THE CENTER AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND UP TO 175 MILES (280KM) FROM THE CENTER.
THE ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 916 MB…27.05 INCHES.
HAZARDS AFFECTING LAND AND SEA
WIND: Hurricane conditions are expected in St. Maarten by later TONIGHT into tomorrow, however Tropical storm force winds are expected with the next few hours.
RAINFALL: Irma is expected to produce total rainfall accumulations of 8-12 inches with isolated maximum amounts of 18 inches across the Leeward Islands.
STORM SURGE: The combination of a dangerous storm surge and large breaking waves will raise water levels by as much as 7 to 11 feet above normal tide levels along the coasts of St Maarten. Near the coast, the surge will be accompanied by large and destructive waves.
SEAS: Swells generated by Irma will affect the local area for the next several days. These swells are likely to cause life threatening surf and rip current conditions especially on the northern and eastern shores.
Mariners are advised to stay in port in order to safeguard life and property.
ALL RESIDENTS/VISITORS ARE STRONGLY ADVISED THAT ALL PREPARATIONS SHOULD HAVE BEEN COMPLETED AND SHOULD CONTINUE TO MONITOR THE PROGRESS OF THIS DANGEROUS HURRICANE. THE METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR HURRICANE IRMA AND ISSUE SPECIAL WEATHER BULLETINS.
The next update will be issued today at 11:30 pm (03:30 UTC).