WATCH: Worst of Hurricane Irma moves through Central Florida

ORLANDO, Fla. — Read regular updates on Hurricane Irma's track below. Click here for news related to the storm. 

2:30 a.m. Update:

Hurricane Irma weakened to a Category 1 storm as its center moved into Central Florida.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center says Hurricane Irma's sustained winds have decreased to 85 mph.

The storm is moving northwest at 15 mph.

Irma's center is expected to move over the western part of Florida early Monday morning before moving on into the southeastern United States.

2:00 a.m. Update: 

Transformers are starting to blow in downtown Orlando as Hurricane Irma continues to move north.

In the next hour, south Lake County, southwest Orange County and downtown Orlando will receive the strongest winds from Irma.

The eyewall has continued to degrade into a squall line. WFTV meteorologist Irene Sans says this degradation will cause Irma to lose her organized structure.

Major power outages in Central Florida are expected to occur during this time.

1:30 a.m. Update: 

Hurricane Irma continues to move through Central Florida as the strongest winds move in a line that spans from the western edge of Lake County to downtown Orlando.

Orlando International Airport is reporting wind gusts of 78 mph.

Read: Federal disaster relief tab continues to increase with damage from Hurricane Irma

Damage assessments will begin when the storm moves out of Central Florida at dawn.

President Donald Trump granted Florida a major disaster declaration, which authorized:

+ 100 percent federal reimbursement for evacuation costs, the costs associated with Emergency Operation Centers. After one month, the feds will pick up 75 percent of the tab, for both local and state expenses.

+ The feds pay 75 percent of the cost for debris removal by individual counties.

1:00 a.m. Update

The Orlando metro area, particularly the western part of Orange County, will be experiencing the worst winds from Irma for the next two hours, according to WFTV meteorologist Rusty McCranie.

According to the National Weather Service, Irma's eyewall is beginning to resemble more of a squall line, which meteorlogists attribute to severe wind shears breaking the eye apart.

WFTV meteorologist Irene Sans said the storm is tracking toward Clermont.

Irma's moving north at 14 mph, Sans said.

Though the eyewall has begun to morph into a squall line, that doesn't mean Irma loses her designation as a hurricane, Sans said.

Irma will lose her hurricane status once sustained winds fall below 74 mph.

12:30 a.m. Update: 

Heavy winds bear down on Central Florida as Irma continues to move northward through Polk County and into Lake County.

The area is experiencing at least 60 mph winds--with areas close to the eyewall seeing 90+ mph winds.

Orlando International Airport registered gusts around 66 mph.

Residents of Melbourne are reporting flooding in their homes.

Melbourne has received 6 to 8 inches of rain during the storm. WFTV meteorologist Tom Terry says the winds are pushing the water inland.

12 a.m. Update Sunday

Hurricane Irma's eyewall is moving north through the Winter Haven/Lake Wales area of Polk County with hurricane force winds expected to affect Central Florida all night.

Central Florida residents are urged to stay sheltered away from windows as Irma moves through with 100 mph winds.

Hurricane Season 2017: History and science of June storms

This year, the name Irma debuted for the name starting with the letter “I” since Irene was retired after the 2011 hurricane season. Hurricane Irene affected the Caribbean and eastern United States, causing 49 fatalities and leaving over $15 billion in damage.

11 p.m. Update

Central Florida will experience Category 2 force winds overnight as Hurricane Irma´s center moves into Polk County.

The northward path will bring the worst weather closer to Central Florida.

WFTV meteorologist George Waldenberger said the storm has moved further east than original forecast tracks predicted, which said the eye would pass over Tampa.

Over the past few hours, Irma has been traveling just shy of due north toward Polk County.

The strongest winds in Irma´s eyewall may move into west Orange County, according to WFTV meteorologist Tom Terry.

9:30 p.m. Update

Hurricane Irma continues to move due north as a Category 2 storm into Central Florida.

WFTV meteorologist Tom Terry says the storm´s center will move into Polk County within the next few hours, with the worst weather just starting to move into the southern part of the county.

Hurricane-force winds will last until dawn Monday.

Irma is sporting sustained winds of 105 mph.

Central Florida will feel stronger impacts from the storm than what meteorologists originally anticipated because Irma began moving due north without moving west, as originally predicted.

8 p.m. Update

Hurricane Irma was moving north near Ft. Myers with dangerous storm surges expected in areas of onshore winds along Florida's west coast, the National Hurricane Center said.

Irma continued to more north at about 14 mph with sustained wind speeds of 105 mph.

5:45 p.m. Update

Heavy rainfall and flooding is expected in much of Florida and parts of the southeast United States over the next few days as Hurricane Irma marches north, the National Hurricane Center said Sunday evening.

5:30 p.m. Update

The National Hurricane Center announced Sunday evening that Hurricane Irma "will bring life-threatening wind impacts to much of Florida, regardless of the exact track of the center."

Wind hazards from the storm were expected to spread north into Georgia and portions of Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina and North Carolina.

The NHC also warned that "there is imminent danger of life-threatening storm surge flooding along much of the Florida west coast" as Hurricane Irma makes its way north.

5 p.m. Update

Hurricane Irma is nearing Naples and dangerous storm surges are expected immediately along Florida's west coast after the storm's eye passes.

Irma continues to have sustained wind speeds topping 110 mph as it moves north at about 14 mph.

3:45 p.m. Update

Hurricane Irma made landfall in Marco Island just after 3:30 p.m. Sunday.

The storm, which is packing winds topping 115 mph, is the first major hurricane to make landfall in Florida since Hurricane Wilma in 2005.

3 p.m. Update

Irma will be making landfall before 5 p.m.

Located just 20 miles south of Naples, it is moving north at 12 mph, with maximum sustained winds at 120 mph.

Irma is forecast to make landfall as a Category 3 hurricane. It will likely speed up a bit after landfall.

The increasing storm surge will continue to affect the southwestern portion of Florida northward to Fort Myers/ Naples.

Winds will quickly increase as Irma continues traveling closer to Central Florida. Worse conditions are yet to come. Hurricane force winds of at least 74 mph are expected across Central Florida.

Water levels have begun to rise in Naples and will rise rapidly in Marco Island and Naples after Irma's eye passes through the area, the National Hurricane Center said.

Residents were urged to quickly move away from the water.

2:40 p.m. update

A tornado warning has been issued for Brevard County, lasting until 3:15 p.m. Take shelter and stay away from windows. Chief meteorologist Tom Terry is tracking the storm live on Channel 9 Eyewitness News.

2:15 p.m. update

Hurricane Irma continues to batter South Florida as a Category 3 storm, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said Sunday afternoon.

Irma is producing maximum sustained winds of 120 mph as it moves north at 12 mph, the NHC said.

Forecasters said the storm is about 35 miles south of Naples and about 70 miles south of Fort Myers. The strongest winds are expected in Marco Island and Naples in the coming hours.

Chief meteorologist Tom Terry said Irma should pick up speed later Sunday. Terry said he expects the storm to make landfall again before midnight near Sanibel Island.

A tornado hit a Palm Bay mobile home park Sunday, destroying six homes. No injuries were reported.

Download the free WFTV weather app and watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates on the storm's progression. Read more hurricane stories in the Eye on the Tropics section.

1:30 p.m. update

Tornado warning have been issued for Brevard and Flagler counties, lasting until 2 p.m. Take shelter and stay away from windows. Watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates.

Download the free WFTV weather app for updates. Read more hurricane stories in the Eye on the Tropics section.

12:45 p.m. update

Central Florida is under a tornado watch until midnight. Take shelter and stay away from windows.

A tornado on Sunday hit a Palm Bay mobile home park, destroying six homes. No injuries were reported.

Hurricane Irma continues to move north at 9 mph. The Category 4 storm is producing sustained winds of up to 130 mph.

Download the free WFTV weather app and watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates on the storm's progression. Read more hurricane stories in the Eye on the Tropics section.

12 p.m. update

A tornado warning has been issued for southeastern Brevard County through 12:45 p.m. Take shelter and stay away from windows. Watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates.

11:20 a.m. update

A tornado warning and a tornado watch have been issued for Brevard County through noon. Take shelter and stay away from windows. Watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates.

11 a.m. update

Hurricane Irma is heading toward southwestern Florida as a Category 4 storm, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said Sunday morning.

Irma, which continues to have maximum sustained winds of 130 mph, is moving north at 9 mph and is about 80 miles south-southeast of Naples and about 115 miles south-southeast of Fort Myers, the NHC said.

Irma has wobbled northward in the last few hours and could gradually lose strength as it moves over the Florida Peninsula. But the storm will be traveling over the Everglades, which could enable Irma to maintain its strength.

10:50 a.m. update

A tornado warning has been issued for eastern Polk County through noon. Take shelter and stay away from windows. Watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates.

10:30 a.m. update

A tornado warning has been issued for Osceola County through 11 a.m. Take shelter and stay away from windows. Watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates.

9:30 a.m. update

The eye of Hurricane Irma made landfall in Cudjoe Key at 9:10 a.m. as a Category 4 storm, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said.

Irma continues to produce maximum sustained winds of 130 mph and is moving north-northwest at 8 mph, the NHC said.

A tornado warning has been issued through 9:45 a.m. for portions of Brevard County, including Palm Bay, Melbourne and West Melbourne.

Wind gusts of 106 mph were reported at Big Pine Key's National Key Deer Refuge.

Officials said three people died Sunday afternoon in weather-related car crashes in Florida.

Download the free WFTV weather app and watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates on the storm's progression. Read more hurricane stories in the Eye on the Tropics section.

8 a.m. update

The eye of Hurricane Irma is about to make landfall in the lower Florida Keys as a Category 4 storm, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said Sunday morning.

Irma, which continues to have maximum sustained winds of 130 mph, is moving north-northwest at 8 mph and is about 20 miles east-southeast of Key West and about 110 miles south of Naples, the NHC said.

Tornado watches remain in effect for Osceola and Brevard counties through noon. Most of Central Florida is under a hurricane warning.

Officials said three people died Sunday afternoon in weather-related car crashes in Florida.

One of the victims was killed while driving a truck in storm-strength winds in the Florida Keys, officials said.

Download the free WFTV weather app and watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates on the storm's progression. Read more hurricane stories in the Eye on the Tropics section.

7 a.m. update

The eye of Hurricane Irma is about to make landfall near Key West and Marathon as a Category 4 storm, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said Sunday morning.

Irma, which continues to have maximum sustained winds of 130 mph, is moving northwest at 8 mph, the NHC said.

A tornado watch has been issued for Osceola and Brevard counties through noon, and most of Central Florida is under a hurricane warning.

Channel 9 certified meteorologist Brian Shields said Irma will move toward Florida's west coast Sunday.

"The center may go more inland or stay just offshore," Shields said. "But either way, hurricane and tropical storm conditions are imminent and the tornado threat stays high."

Shields said he expects numerous trees to topple and widespread power outages to occur throughout Central Florida on Sunday.

"It will be like (Hurricane) Charley, but in more counties," he said. "On Monday afternoon, (conditions) will be improving, but please be careful after the storm with the debris and wires down."

Download the free WFTV weather app and watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates on the storm's progression. Read more hurricane stories in the Eye on the Tropics section.

5 a.m. Sunday update

The eye of Hurricane Irma is about to move across the lower Florida Keys as a powerful Category 4 storm, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said early Sunday.

Irma, which has maximum sustained winds of 130 mph, is moving northwest at 8 mph about 40 miles south-southeast of Key West and 140 miles south of Naples, the NHC said.

A tornado warning has been issued for southeast Brevard County, including Palm Bay, Grant-Valkaria and Micco, until 6:30 a.m. Sunday. Residents should take shelter and stay away from windows.

Download the free WFTV weather app and watch Channel 9 Eyewitness News for live updates on the storm's progression. Read more hurricane stories in the Eye on the Tropics section.

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