Hurricane Irma was one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes ever recorded, maintaining Category 5 intensity for 37 consecutive hours — longer than any previous Atlantic hurricane. Irma devastated the northern Caribbean islands before striking Florida on September 10, 2017.
Irma formed near the Cape Verde Islands, tracked westward across the northern Caribbean as a Category 5, devastated Barbuda, St. Martin, and the British Virgin Islands, then struck Cuba before making landfall in the Florida Keys and again near Marco Island.
Irma caused $77 billion in damage across the Caribbean and United States, killing 134 people. The Florida Keys sustained near-total destruction from Irma's eyewall passage. The storm caused the largest peacetime evacuation in Florida history, with 6.5 million residents ordered to leave.
Irma demonstrated the extreme vulnerability of the Florida Keys to major hurricane impacts and prompted a major review of evacuation procedures and building codes in the Keys. The storm also showed how a large, powerful hurricane can affect an entire state, not just the immediate landfall area.
Hurricane Irma reached a peak intensity of Category 5 with maximum sustained winds of 185 mph and a minimum central pressure of 914 mb. It made landfall as a Category 4.
Hurricane Irma made landfall at Cudjoe Key, Florida on September 10, 2017.
Hurricane Irma caused $77 billion in damage and resulted in 134 deaths. Irma caused $77 billion in damage across the Caribbean and United States, killing 134 people. The Florida Keys sustained near-total destruction from Irma's eyewall passage. The storm caused the largest peacetime evacuation in Florida history, with 6.5 million residents ordered to leave.
Yes. Hurricane Irma was so destructive that the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) retired its name. It will never be used again for an Atlantic hurricane.