Miami Flight Cancelled - Latest Hurricane Warnings

Steemians!

You cannot imagine how excited I was for this weekend. As some of you know I had travel plans that were supposed to  start this weekend, in one of my favorite cities ever: MIAMI! The first and last time I've been there was two years ago. I fell in love with the city immediately, the beach, the people, the vibe of the city. I had planned on coming back for a while and this time wanted to take you on the experience as well. I had meetings scheduled, a special wedding to go to and even got booked a flight for one of my best friends who's birthday is next week.

But as your probably know by now, the Miami area isn't safe at the moment, due to Hurricane Irma. I am still in shock about the unexpected news and praying for everyone in the affected areas. 

This morning I woke up to an e-mail from the airline, which made it ofificial:

The flight got canceled! 

I already expected that to happen, but that just made it even more real. Especially because airline usually wait until the last hour to cancel flights, so that the majority of people changes their flight and the airline doesn't have to refund everyone. But this time they are serious about the danger and canceled all flights going from or to: Miami, Orlando, Havanna, Varadero, Punta Cana, Puerto Plata.

In my life I have been close to being in a really bad situation a few times and due to circumstances, that others might call lucky coincidence have been saved. I am grateful for the protection of my guardian angels and the signals I receive, I feel truly blessed. Right now I am constantly thinking about those who might be in danger, praying for the safety of all children and everyone on the road heading towards shelter. 

Latest Warnings

Hurricane Irma pounded the Bahamas and the northern part of Cuba on Friday evening with wind speeds of up to 155mph (250kph), before cycling toward Florida. Irma is currently a category 4 hurricane, a dip on its peak intensity, but still with potential for widespread devastation. It is expected to hit there late Saturday with wind speeds powerful enough to snap trees and power poles and tear the roofs off buildings. And Gov. Rick Scott said the lower half of Florida could face life threatening storm surge as early as Saturday morning. Irma caused flooding in Cuba’s northeast on Friday and continued to move along the nation’s northern coastline, according to the National Hurricane Center.

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As Floridians ramp up last-second preparations for Hurricane Irma—the massive category 4 is forecast to make landfall in the southern part of the state late Saturday or early Sunday—Fox News Research tweeted out the latest figures from the Red Cross in the state.
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Some 5.6 million people have been ordered to evacuate Florida – reportedly the largest evacuation in US history.

Hurricane Irma is barrelling toward the southern Bahamas on a course toward south Florida

The hurricane’s width is larger than the state of Florida, and governors as far north as Virginia have declared emergencies.

At least 23 people were confirmed killed around the Caribbean so far. 

The dead include 11 on French St Martin and St Barts, four in the US Virgin Islands, three on Puerto Rico, two on Dutch St Maarten, one in Barbuda, and one in Anguilla. 

The mayor of Miami-Dade, Carlos Gimenez, said:

The mandatory evacuation of some 650,000 people is the largest in the county’s history.

Miami Beach Mayor Philip Levine to residents: 

Why take the chance? Evacuate. 

The US National Hurricane Center says hurricane warnings are in effect in the following places:

• Cuban provinces of Camaguey, Ciego de Avila, Sancti Spiritus, and Villa Clara
• North-western Bahamas
• Sebastian Inlet southward around the Florida peninsula to Anna Maria Island
• Florida Keys
• Lake Okeechobee
• Florida Bay

A hurricane warning means “preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion” in those areas as hurricane conditions are expected. 

The strength: Irma is a Category 4 storm now, but it is expected to make landfall in the Florida Keys as a Category 5 hurricane.

The path: Southern Florida is bracing for a direct hit early Sunday. The storm will drift over the entire state.

This image shows Hurricane Irma (on the left, over Cuba) and Hurricane Jose (on the right, heading towards the Leeward Islands) – both category four storms:

The Caribbean island, already reeling from the destruction Hurricane Irma left in her wake (its prime minister says 95% of the building on the island are damaged), is getting ready for Hurricane Jose. Jose is a Category 4 storm with maximum sustained winds near 150 mph, according to the National Hurricane Center, and is expected to hit Barbuda on Saturday afternoon. Many of the 1,800 residents who didn't already flee are being evacuated.

If you have been ordered to evacuate, please leave! 

Because media channels are known to exaggerate, some might not feel the need to evacuate and potentially underestimate the situation. Please keep in mind: Being wrong is not worth being dead!

23 people were killed already..

Do not put your life at risk!

Much love & safety! 

- Mrs.Steemit