Hurricane Irma has already devastated the Caribbean, leaving at least 10 dead in its wake, and is currently barreling toward Florida. As a Category 5 that sustained 185-mph winds for an astounding 35 hours, Irma is one of the most powerful hurricanes ever recorded. But even with that impressive stat, it can be hard to put the strength and size of Irma into perspective.
Well, Jason Dunning, a meteorologist with local southwest Florida NBC affiliate WBBH, posted an astounding photo on Thursday that says it all.
Wow. As Dunning writes, Irma will likely affect the entire state of Florida – and others have also shared impressive photos that put the storm in perspective.
Context for size of Hurricane #Irma eye –> Barbuda is 62 square miles … Washington DC is 68 square miles. pic.twitter.com/k9Zqpz8iJk
— Ryan Maue (@RyanMaue) September 6, 2017
Zoomed out view. #Irma #GOES16 pic.twitter.com/GftCrnX57h
— NASA SPoRT (@NASA_SPoRT) September 5, 2017
Irma is projected to impact the Florida peninsula by Sunday morning, although its course could change. Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency for all 67 Florida counties on Monday, saying, “Hurricane Irma is a major and life-threatening storm and Florida must be prepared.”
President Donald Trump also declared states of emergency in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
The Florida Keys, where Irma is expected to hit Saturday, are under mandatory evacuation orders. Martin Senterfitt, director of the Monroe County Emergency Operations Center, said they’re “emphatically telling people you must evacuate, you can not afford to stay.” The Navy has also ordered a mandatory evacuation of non-essential personnel from Navy Air Station Key West.
Share this if you’re praying for Florida and all others in the path of Hurricane Irma!
