Hurricane Irma: 'Potentially Catastrophic' Storm Heads Towards Florida's Coast

The U.S. National Hurricane Center said Wednesday that Hurricane Irma is a "potentially catastrophic" storm that could bring 185 mile-per-hour winds to the coast of South Florida later this week as it gathers pace towards the Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

Irma's eye passed over the Caribbean island of Barbuda, some 1,300 miles southeast of Miami, early Wednesday and could be only the fourth category 5 hurricane to hit the U.S. mainland since the early 1930s - the last of which, Hurricane Andrew, caused around $50 billion in damage in 2017 dollar terms.

"Irma is a potentially catastrophic category 5 hurricane and will bring life-threatening wind, storm surge and rainfall hazards to portions of the northern Leedward Islands, including the Virgin Island and Puerto Rico, on Wednesday," the NHC said in a statement.

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