With Hurricane Irma's near-record winds potentially putting Florida in danger starting this weekend, officials in the Keys are already telling visitors and residents to get off the low-lying island chain in anticipation of catastrophic wind and flood damage.
Emergency officials in Monroe County, which covers the Florida Keys, said Tuesday they will order a mandatory evacuation of visitors on Wednesday morning and a mandatory evacuation of residents no later than Thursday morning.
Throughout much of the state, stores are already being stripped of water and other hurricane supplies.
Emergency Manegement officials said parts of Miami will begin evacuations Wednesday, and Broward County schools will be closed Thursday and Friday.
All schools & administrative offices will be closed September 7-8, 2017. Visit https://t.co/vxqdgW3NHW for #HurricaneIrma related updates.
— Broward Schools (@browardschools) September 5, 2017
Miami-Dade County's mayor says residents and visitors should be prepared to evacuate Miami Beach and most of the county's coastal areas as Hurricane Irma heads toward Florida.
Gimenez activated the emergency operation center and urged residents to have three days' worth of food and water. The mayor reminded residents that tap water was a good resource, telling them to fill up bottles with tap water now.
Evacuation will begin Wednesday morning for special needs residents.
All Miami-Dade County offices will be closed Thursday and Friday.
All extracurricular, athletic activities, adult night classes canceled starting Wed. After-school care remains open until 6p #HurricaneIrma
— Miami-Dade Schools (@MDCPS) September 5, 2017
District officials will continue to provide updates as #HurricaneIrma’s projected path, possible impact to So. Fla. become more predictable.
— Miami-Dade Schools (@MDCPS) September 5, 2017
Associated Press
