Hurricane Irma has been the latest storm to wreak havoc on citizens of the United States and abroad, pounding the states of Florida with winds of incredible velocity and near-constant rain. As a result, severe flooding has ravaged many communities big and small, with streets and cars buried under the trail of excess water and debris that the storm has left in its path. However, there is some good news to report on the Irma front today: according to the latest information from CNN, what was once classified as one of the worst hurricanes in recorded history has been downgraded to a tropical storm.
The National Hurricane Center has confirmed that winds will decrease to around 70 mph and that the storm will continue to weaken as it moves further inland. Emergency workers and members of municipal political bodies are urging those living in an area that was affected by the disastrous weather to stay indoors and refrain from venturing outside until the damage can be properly assessed and the necessary precautions can be made so that everyone's safety is assured. CNN estimates that over 5.7 million customers in Florida alone are without power this morning (September 11th), with fallen trees, downed power lines and the severe flooding being the chief cause of the electricity loss. Other parts of the South, including Alabama, Tennessee and the Carolinas could be affected by the storm as well in the coming days, as its trajectory moves away from the Florida coast.
This is the second big hurricane to hit the United States in recent weeks, with Hurricane Harvey plowing through Houston and other parts of Texas, causing an incredible amount of devastation that will take billions of dollars to overcome. Luckily, people have already donated generously to that relief effort, with more fundraising efforts on the horizon, including a celebrity telethon that will feature the likes of Beyoncé, Jamie Foxx and more. Irma will need a similar amount of effort from those who want to donate their time and money to the cause, with 5.6 million people having been evacuated from Florida when Irma was a Category 4 hurricane.