IRMA strongest Hurricane in the Atlantic packing 180MPH
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 11 AM on Tuesday, September 5th, Hurricane Irma strengthened to a category five hurricane which means Irma will be packing 180 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 HEADING TO THE
LEEWARD ISLANDS…
…ALL PREPARATIONS SHOULD BE RUSHED TO COMPLETION…
Location: Lat. 16.9N ….Lon. 59.1W
About: 274 miles ESE of St. Maarten
Maximum sustained winds: 185 mph ….295 KM/H
Present Movement: W or…275 degrees at 14 mph…22 KM/H
Minimum Central Pressure: 926 mb….27.34 inches
DISCUSSION AND 24-HOUR OUTLOOK
AT 2:00 PM…THE EYE OF HURRICANE IRMA WAS LOCATED NEAR LATITUDE 16.9
NORTH…LONGITUDE 59.1 WEST OR ABOUT 274 MILES EAST-SOUTHEAST OF ST.
MAARTEN.
IRMA IS MOVING TOWARD THE WEST NEAR 14 MPH (22 KM/H). THIS MOTION IS
EXPECTED TO CONTINUE TODAY, FOLLOWED BY A TURN TOWARD THE WESTNORTHWEST
TONIGHT. ON THE FORECAST TRACK, THE CENTER OF IRMA WILL MOVE
VERY CLOSE TO ST. MAARTEN SOMETIME ON WEDNESDAY MORNING. HOWEVER
CONDITIONS WILL START TO DETERIORATE THIS EVENING.
REPORTS FROM A HURRICANE HUNTER AIRCRAFT INDICATE THAT THE 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 FEW DAYS, BUT IRMA IS
FORECAST TO REMAIN A POWERFUL CATEGORY 4 OR 5 HURRICANE.
HURRICANE FORCE WINDS EXTEND OUTWARD UP TO 60 MILES (95KM) FROM THE CENTER
AND TROPICAL STORM FORCE WINDS EXTEND UP TO 160 MILES (260KM) FROM THE
CENTER.
THE ESTIMATED MINIMUM CENTRAL PRESSURE IS 926 MB…27.34 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 this evening.
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 FOR
THE ARRIVAL OF THIS EXTREMELY DANGEROUS SYSTEM SHOULD BE RUSHED TO
COMPLETION AND CONTINUE MONITORING THE PROGRESS OF THE HURRICANE.
THE METEOROLOGICAL DEPARTMENT WILL CONTINUE TO MONITOR HURRICANE
IRMA AND ISSUE SPECIAL WEATHER BULLETINS.
The next update will be issued today at 5:30 pm (21:30 UTC).
Source: St. Martin News Network
Hurricane Irma now Category 5, residents of all islands under hurricane watch urged to take precautions. (UPDATED 6)
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