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Gov. Scott on Hurricane Irma: 'This storm is powerful and deadly'

By Brittney Donovan and Action News Jax
By Brittney Donovan and Action News Jax

VERY LATEST:  Irma headed for Southern Bahamas

KNOW YOUR ZONE: Northeast Florida, Southeast Georgia evacuation zones

Gov. Rick Scott is urging Floridians to be prepared to evacuate as the state braces for Irma.

Irma is a category 5 storm with winds up to 180 miles per hour.

Scott said Miami-Dade will experience major hurricane impacts with deadly storm surge and life-threatening wind. Scott said everyone on the east coast should expect the same.

The Florida Keys could see impacts beginning early Friday night.

"Look at the size of this storm. It's huge," Scott said. "It's wider than our entire state and it could cause major and life-threatening impacts on both coasts - coast to coast."

Scott stressed at a Thursday press conference that the current track brings Irma up the east coast of Florida, but that could change.

He is warning people who live on both coasts to be prepared to evacuate.

Scott said more than 31,000 people had evacuated the Florida Keys as of 6 p.m. Wednesday.

All hospitals in the Keys are being evacuated and shut down Thursday, Scott said.

"This storm is powerful and deadly," Scott said. "Possessions can be replaced, your family can not."

He said this is not a storm you can sit and wait through.

Gov. Scott to speak on Hurricane Irma. Latest on Irma: http://bit.ly/2gLljrm Know you evacuation zone: http://bit.ly/2eHbjLv

Posted by Action News Jax on Thursday, September 7, 2017

Scott said fuel availability is one of his top priorities. He said the state is working to lift restrictions so gas stations can refuel.

Tolls have been waived as people in South Florida evacuate north. He said the roads are going to get more crowded the longer people wait to leave.

"If you are in an evacuation area, do not wait to get out. We're not going to be able to save people once the storm hits," Scott said.

Scott is reminding people that they do not need to leave the state to find safety. He is urging people to go to local shelters.

"You can rebuild your home. You can get your possessions again, but you can't get your life back. Regardless of what coast you live on, be prepared to evacuate," Scott said.

Cox Media Group

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