The Devastating Irma Storm is Approaching Florida

Reports indicate that the center of the devastating Irma storm is approaching southern Florida and is expected to slightly change direction to hit Tampa. Previously, most forecasts suggested that the center or 'eye' of the Irma storm would hit Miami, but it is now said that the storm will slightly shift westward and collide with the city of Tampa in southwestern Florida. The Irma storm is currently moving towards Florida after battering parts of Cuba at high speed. According to Reuters, state officials have urged six million residents in Florida to evacuate their homes and move to safe areas. The storm has so far resulted in at least 22 deaths in the Caribbean region. Rick Scott, the governor of Florida, has warned citizens in the storm's path not to put their lives and their families at risk. Currently, the island of Key West in southern Florida is experiencing strong winds and high waves. Florida officials state that there is no safe place on Key West. Meanwhile, Miami officials have issued mandatory evacuation orders for the beach and downtown areas. The Irma storm reached Cuba early Saturday local time. This storm, rated as a Category 5, which is considered the most powerful classification of storms by U.S. meteorological centers, has battered parts of northern Cuba. Initial reports indicate that the Irma storm has caused power outages and downed palm trees in Cuba. No reports of casualties from the storm in Cuba have been released yet. However, it is said that before the storm, one million residents from coastal areas of Cuba were evacuated to safe zones. The U.S. weather center states that the power of the Irma storm has decreased after hitting Cuba, and it is now a Category 3 storm with wind speeds reaching 215 kilometers per hour. Reuters reports that Irma is one of the most powerful ocean storms in the last hundred years in the Atlantic, and forecasts indicate that it will reach Florida with a Category 4 intensity, causing significant damage in the state. Weather models predict that this storm is moving westward through Florida. Predictions indicate that the island of Key West and the Keys region in southern Florida will be at the center of the Irma storm. The widespread evacuation of people in Florida is primarily taking place through two main roads. According to local officials, traffic jams have formed on all roads leading north from the Florida coast. CNN reports that some people have been stuck in traffic for at least eight hours trying to escape dangerous areas.