How dangerous is Hurricane Irma? All you need to know

It seems like nature is being cruel to the Americans. In the aftermath of the devastating Hurricane Harvey, another storm, ‘Hurricane Irma’ is on its way to shock the United States again.

The National Weather Service on Tuesday termed the ‘Hurricane Irma’ as Category 5 storm, which is regarded as the most dangerous storm.

NHC Atlantic Ops, which provides analyses, forecasts, and warnings of tropical cyclones, on Tuesday reported, “Category 5 Irma with 185-mph winds- Hurricane preparations in the NE Leeward Islands should be nearing completion.”

Category 5 #Irma with 185-mph winds- #Hurricane preparations in the NE Leeward Islands should be nearing completion https://t.co/tW4KeGdBFb pic.twitter.com/tMhL53YX5I

— NHC Atlantic Ops (@NHC_Atlantic) September 5, 2017

ALSO READ | Irma one of the strongest Hurricanes ever reported: NHC

Now, the question arises how dangerous is Hurricane Irma?

This Category 5 storm is coming with a speed of about 22 kilometres per hour. But it is not over yet as its winds have already reached 282 kilometers per hour. Moreover, the speed is increasing with each passing second.

It is said that hurricanes like Irma start off as thunderstorms and gather wind strength at an enormous speed. Thereafter, the high-pressure areas of the storm speedily fill the lower pressure areas.

The National Hurricane Centre issued a statement on Tuesday that the chances are very high that Irma will hit the Florida keys and peninsula.

“For some of easternmost islands, the hurricane conditions are expected within the next 12 to 24 hours,” it further said.

Meanwhile, State of emergency has been declared in Florida as according to reports, Hurricane Irma is now the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean outside of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico.

Irma could also pour 4 to 8 inches of rain, and as much as 12 inches in certain areas. "These rainfall amounts may cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides," the NHC said.

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