Here's What You Need to Know About Hurricane Irma & Its Ongoing Path

Less than a week after the conclusion of Hurricane Harvey, Hurricane Irma touched down upon Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands on Wednesday, leaving behind a significant impact and heading towards Florida. According to The New York Times, the Category 5 Irma is well on its way to becoming one of the most destructive storms ever, already making direct hits on Barbuda, St. Barthélemy, St. Martin, and Anguilla.

The U.S. Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico also saw strong winds and rainfalls, leading to at least one death in Puerto Rico during storm preparation. In addition to several deaths reported in other affected regions, Irma destroyed 95 percent of buildings on the small island Barbuda. TIME reports that the hurricane ultimately left nearly 900,000 peole without power. 

Gaston Browne, Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, was surprised about the latter's destruction, especially because Antigua emerged from the storm relatively unharmed. "Hurricane Irma would have been easily the most powerful hurricane to have stormed through the Caribbean and it is extremely unfortunate that Barbuda was right in its path," he said in a statement. 

More than half of Puerto Rico was left without power, while a significant amount of the population also lost access to water. The Times reports that the U.S. territory would suffer tremendously from mass destruction due to its current economic crisis.

The storm is expected to hit Florida, which has already declared a state of emergency, by Sunday. According to The Washington Post, forecasters are most concerned about the Florida Keys region, which lies directly in Irma's path. Mandatory evacuations from the area began on Wednesday. School districts in the state's southern counties have already cancelled the week's classes, and the Miami Dolphins' season opener on Sunday is expected to either be rescheduled or moved to a safe location. Airlines have even played the hero, offering discount flights out of Florida.

Gov. Rick Scott of Florida has regularly communicated with residents via his Twitter, assuring followers that federal, state and local leaders were cooperating together. Although Irma's greatest threat to the United States lies in Florida, it's expected to continue through Georgia and the Carolinas by next week.  

Meanwhile, ABC News reports that another storm, Hurricane Jose, has reached a Category 1 level, but no warnings about it have been released. A third hurricane, Katia, is also forming in the Gulf of Mexico.

Charities such as Direct Relief, Heart to Heart International and more are still accepting donations for Hurricane Harvey victims. 

Our thoughts are with those already affected by Hurricane Irma and those in Florida preparing for the storm. Stay safe!