Hurricane Irma becomes Category 4, state of emergency declared

FORT MYERS, Fla. Gov. Rick Scott declared a state of emergency for the entire state as Hurricane Irma became a Category 4 hurricane Monday afternoon.

The system had 140 mph winds and was moving west at 13 mph as of the 11 p.m. advisory, the National Hurricane Center said. It was about 410 miles east of the Leeward Islands.

“In Florida, we always prepare for the worst and hope for the best and while the exact path of Irma is not absolutely known at this time, we cannot afford to not be prepared,” Scott said.

The declaration allows emergency officials to act swiftly without the burden of red tape, Scott said.

[Visit WINK News Hurricane Central to learn what you need to prepare]

Residents from Florida to the Carolinas were urged to monitor the storm’s progress in case it turns northward.

“South Florida is pretty much right now the part of the state that will have the greatest effect if things don’t change,” WINK Chief Meteorologist Jim Farrell said.

Workers in the northeast Caribbean cleared drains and pruned trees as authorities urged islanders to prepare for Irma, which was forecast to begin buffeting the region the following day.

Emergency officials warned that Irma could dump up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) of rain, unleash landslides and dangerous flash floods and generate waves of up to 23 feet (7 meters) as the storm draws closer.

“We’re looking at Irma as a very significant event,” Ronald Jackson, executive director of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency, said by phone. “I can’t recall a tropical cone developing that rapidly into a major hurricane prior to arriving in the central Caribbean.”

Irma is expected to strengthen in the next couple of days, and its center is forecast to move near or over the northern Leeward Islands on Tuesday night and early Wednesday, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center.

A hurricane warning has been issued for Antigua and Barbuda, Anguilla, Montserrat, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Martin, Saba, St. Eustatius, St. Maarten, St. Barts, Puerto Rico, Vieques, Culebra and the British and U.S. Virgin islands. A hurricane watch has been issued for Guadeloupe.

In the Caribbean, Antigua and Anguilla shuttered schools on Monday, and government office closures were expected to follow.

On the tiny island of Barbuda, hotel manager Andrea Christian closed down the Palm Tree Guest House as Irma approached. She said she was not afraid even though it would be her first time facing a storm of that magnitude.

“We can’t do anything about it,” Christian said by phone, adding that she had stocked up on food and water. “We just have to wait it out.”

Both Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands expect to receive 4 inches to 8 inches (10-20 centimeters) of rain and winds of 40-50 mph with gusts of up to 60 mph.

Puerto Rico Gov. Ricardo Rossello warned of flooding and power outages.

“It’s no secret that the infrastructure of the Puerto Rico Power Authority is deteriorated,” Rossello said. He activated the National Guard, canceled classes for Tuesday and declared a half-day of work.

The U.S. Virgin Islands said schools would reopen on Friday instead of Tuesday.

In the Dominican Republic, Public Works Minister Gonzalo Castillo said workers there were also clearing away roadworks and cleaning out sewer drains and that President Danilo Medina would meet with emergency agencies.

Information from The Associated Press was used in this story.