Monster Hurricane Irma makes landfall on Barbuda in Caribbean: NHC

By Agence France-Presse

Powerful Hurricane Irma made landfall early Wednesday on the island of Barbuda as it barreled its way across the Caribbean, the US National Hurricane Center said.

This image obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration shows Hurricane Irma on September 4, 2017, at 2045 UTC.
(AFP PHOTO / NOAA/RAMMB / MANILA BULLETIN)

The eye of the rare Category Five storm passed over Barbuda around 2 am (0600 GMT) packing winds gusting at up to 185 mph (295 kph), the center said.

The storm is headed northwest toward the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico, with potential for coastal storm surges of up to 20 feet (six meters) above normal tide levels, it added.

Tags: Hurricane Irma, Manila Bulletin, Monster Hurricane Irma makes landfall on Barbuda in Caribbean: NHC, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, storm surges, US National Hurricane Center