Hurricane Irma’s wrath continues, as the fierce storm wreaks havoc in its path. Three people died in Puerto Rico and one person was killed in Anguilla, bringing Irma’s death toll to 13.
One of the people killed in Puerto Rico was a 76-year-old woman who perished after falling on her way to a shelter, Fox News reported.
And as the Caribbean and the U.S. cope with the remaining fallout, the National Hurricane Center released a shocking bulletin on Thursday revealing that another storm — Jose — will become a “major hurricane” by Friday.
And as the bulletin details, some of the same islands impacted by Irma will also potentially face the wrath of Jose. The Weather Channel has more about what Jose could bring:
A hurricane watch is in effect for Antigua and Barbuda and a tropical storm watch has been issued for Anguilla, Montserrat, St. Kitts, Nevis, Saba and St. Eustatius.
For now, all residents of the Leeward Islands, including areas hard hit by Irma, should monitor for the latest on Jose’s forecast. Many of these islands took the full brunt of Category 5 Hurricane Irma on Wednesday with winds gusting to over 155 mph.
Meanwhile, the U.S. is still bracing for Irma’s arrival. The Independent, which called Irma, “the most powerful Atlantic Ocean hurricane in recorded history,” reported that Florida continues to be on alert as the storm roars toward the southern state.
The outlet continued:
The storm has churned along a path through the Lesser Antilles and Puerto Rico, and towards the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Cuba. Residents of Florida are preparing for a potential hit over the weekend. Irma’s eye passed directly over the island of Barbuda, meaning its inhabitants were twice subjected to the fastest winds.
The impact on Barbuda, alone, is practically unbelievable, with 95 percent of all personal and government property destroyed, according to The Washington Post.
Florida Gov. Rick Scott cited the horrors unfolding in the Caribbean as evidence of how powerful and potentially damaging Irma will be once it reaches Florida, and he encouraged residents to be prepared. The governor has also issued evacuation orders.
Gov Rick Scott on the Today Show
We have seen the devastation that Irma has brought to the Caribbean Islands – you need to be ready, and if you are told to evacuate, get out quickly. We have issued evacuation orders for Monroe County and Zones A & B in Miami-Dade Counties, Broward County, and Collier County. You can find the latest orders here: http://www.floridadisaster.org/info/
Posted by Rick Scott on Thursday, September 7, 2017
“We have seen the devastation that Irma has brought to the Caribbean Islands — you need to be ready, and if you are told to evacuate, get out quickly,” Scott said in a Facebook post. “We have issued evacuation orders for Monroe County and Zones A & B in Miami-Dade Counties, Broward County, and Collier County.”
Prayers for safety and for recovery for everyone impacted.