This was published 8 years ago
Death toll climbs as menace nears
Having already ploughed through Barbuda, Saint Martin, the British and US Virgin Islands, Dominican Republic and Haiti, Hurricane Irma is making its way towards Florida as the US braces for chaos and destruction. Its 300 km/h winds rival the strongest for any hurricane in the history of the Atlantic and made landfall in the US on Sunday.
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This satellite image taken on Friday, at 10.45 UTC, shows Hurricane Irma, centre, approaching Cuba and Florida, with Hurricane Katia, left, in the Gulf of Mexico, and Hurricane Jose, right, in the Atlantic Ocean. Credit:NOAA/AP
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This image made from video shows damage from Hurricane Irma in St Thomas, US Virgin Islands on Thursday.Credit:AP
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A man begins the task of rebuilding his home after it was damaged by Hurricane Irma in Nagua, Dominican Republic.Credit:AP
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Ryan Kaye loads sandbags into his truck at a makeshift filling station provided by the county as protection ahead of Hurricane Irma, in Palm Coast, Florida.Credit:AP
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Handlers from the Cayo Guillermo dolphinarium prepare dolphins for their transfer to the dolphinarium in Cienfuegos, located on Cuba's southern coast, just hours before the arrival of Hurricane Irma on Friday.Credit:AP
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Storm damage in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma in Tortola, in the British Virgin Islands. Credit:AP
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Customers buy supplies and wood to secure their property in preparation of Hurricane Irma in Miami, Florida.Credit:AP
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Assilia Joseph, right, and her son Wisner Jean Baptiste, carry the belongings they salvaged from their flooded home after the passing of Hurricane Irma, in Fort-Liberte, Haiti.Credit:AP
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Customers at a Home Depot buy wood to secure their property in Miami in anticipation of Hurricane Irma early on Friday.Credit:AP
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Storm damage in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma, in Dutch Caribbean Sint Maarten.Credit:AP
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Men board up a door in preparation for Hurricane Irma in Caibarien, Cuba.Credit:AP
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A monitor listing cancelled flights at Miami International Airport.Credit:AP
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Storm damage in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma in Virgin Gorda's Leverick Bay in the British Virgin Islands. Credit:AP
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Jackie Cullen helps Bob Boos load sandbags into his truck at a makeshift filling station provided by the county as protection ahead of Hurricane Irma in Palm Coast, Florida.Credit:AP
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A man looks at a vehicle turned upside down by winds brought on by Hurricane Irma in the British overseas territory of Anguilla. Credit:AP
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A home is surrounded by debris brought in by Irma in Nagua, Dominican Republic.Credit:AP
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A homeowner in Dania Beach, Florida, has a stern warning painted on his boarded up window.Credit:AP
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A pleasure boat stands next to a destroyed home after the passing of Hurricane Irma, in Culebra, Puerto Rico.Credit:AP
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Winds brought by Hurricane Irma blow palm trees lining the seawall in Caibarien, Cuba.Credit:AP
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Members of the British Army's Royal Logistics Corps regiment conduct a reconnaissance of the exit from the beach ahead of landing personnel, stores and vehicles, in Anguilla. Credit:AP