WHAT’S HAPPENING: Irma lashes Cuba, barrels toward Florida

This Sept. 6, 2017 photo shows storm damage in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma in St. Martin. Irma cut a path of devastation across the northern Caribbean, leaving thousands homeless after destroying buildings and uprooting trees. Significant damage was reported on the island known as St. Martin in English which is divided between French Saint-Martin and Dutch Sint Maarten. (Jonathan Falwell via AP) This Sept. 6, 2017 photo shows storm damage in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma in St. Martin. Irma cut a path of devastation across the northern Caribbean, leaving thousands homeless after destroying buildings and uprooting trees. Significant damage was reported on the island known as St. Martin in English which is divided between French Saint-Martin and Dutch Sint Maarten. (Jonathan Falwell via AP)

By Associated Press September 9, 2017 2 min read

MIAMI (AP) – Powerful Hurricane Irma hammered Cuba with punishing winds and rain Saturday before ominously churning toward Florida, where massive evacuations were underway. Irma had maximum sustained winds of 125 mph (205 kilometers) and was centered about 175 miles (285 kilometers) southeast of Key West, the U.S. National Hurricane Center said in a midmorning update on Saturday. The storm left more than 20 people dead in the Caribbean.

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WHAT’S AHEAD FOR IRMA?

It’s looking more likely that the eye of powerful Hurricane Irma will strike the Keys, southwestern Florida and the Tampa Bay region starting Sunday. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said the storm is expected to strike the Sunshine State as a dangerous Category 4 storm. But Irma is so large that even if the eye is to the west, Southeast Florida – including the Miami metropolitan area – will get dangerous winds and water.

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