Hurricane Irma: Caribbean Islands, Florida brace for powerful category 4 storm, declare state of emergency

Carribean islands have prepared for possible life threating winds, storm, and flood as a powerful category 4 storm is moving towards the islands. Hurricane Irma is also heading towards the southern United States.

According to the National Hurricane Center (NHC), the hurricane warnings and watches were in effect for territories that spot the West Indies, including parts of the Leeward Islands, the British and United States. The Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, in preparation for a storm that was intensifying with 140 mph(220 Kph) winds.

The National Weather Service said in an advisory that preparations should be rushed to completion as tropical storm-force winds are expected to arrive in the hurricane warning area by late Tuesday.

The government of economically struggling Puerto Rico has declared a state of emergency and activated the National Guard on Monday. The U.S. island territory is home to a round 3.4 million people and prepared already 456 emergency shelters to house up to 62,100 people.

Telemundo TV station WIPR in Puerto Rico broadcasted long queues of people stocking up bottled waters, flashlights, batteries, generators, food and other items.

Ricardo Ramos, the executive director of the state power authority, alerted that parts of the U.S. territory could be without power fro three to four months as power grid is in vulnerable condition due to lack of investment.

"We are preparing for the worst-case scenario," he said.

Irma also threatens the U.S. East Coast and Florida, which declared a state of emergency on Monday night. It is expected Irma to reach southern Florida on Saturday.

Donald Trump is ready to offer the full resources of the full government as Floridians prepare for Hurricane Irma.

Also Read: Hurricane Harvey: US Corporate conglomerates pledge whopping USD 170 million for disaster relief operations