Millions without power in Florida as Hurricane Irma pummels Florida
Some residents and businesses in Florida could be without power for weeks, as Hurricane Irma wreaked havoc state-wide.
An estimated five million properties lost power Sunday as intense winds brought down trees and power lines and the streets of downtown Miami resembled the canals of Venice.
Florida Power & Light said they had nearly one million customers without power in Miami-Dade County alone, and at least 3.4 million overall.
"We think this could be the most challenging restoration in the history of the US," said Chris McGrath, a spokesman for Florida Power & Light.
The downgraded Category 2 storm has weakened but is still ‘dangerous and life-threatening.’
As of midnight Sunday, five people were reported dead.
Irma has now passed through Florida’s biggest city, but Miami International Airport will stay closed for the rest of the day after suffering ‘significant water damage throughout,’ said airport CEO Emilio Gonzalez.
It will assess the damage before deciding if flights can resume on Tuesday.
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood, Orlando and Tampa are among the dozen or more airports that will remain closed today.
Orlando’s big theme parks including Disney are shuttered and Gatorland has promised none of its famed residents will be out and about in the storm.
It has secured all alligators and will monitor them round the clock.
Ponds and lakes holding the gators are ringed by eight-feet high fences and a perimeter fence around the entire 110-acre park.
"If you see an alligator swimming on the street, it’s not ours," Gatorland’s Mike Hileman told reporters.
The National Weather Service issued a tropical storm watch for Atlanta for Monday afternoon as Irma continues north.
Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, the world’s busiest, has already cancelled nearly 900 flights for today.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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