Great guest post from Jessica at Huntingmark.com
Hurricane Irma Damages: Facts, Figures, and Forecast
The Atlantic hurricane season typically runs from June 1 through November 30 as this is the time that most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin. Hurricane Season 2017 will probably be one for the record books as the first storm occurred about a month before the official start and the activity is showing very little sign of tapering off. By far, one of the worst storms of the season was Hurricane Irma, which originated near the African island nation of Cape Verde on the 30th of August.
Irma travelled across the Atlantic, gaining strength along the way, before causing great destruction in Barbuda on September 6. Irma continued to build into a category 5 storm on the 7th of September, which was the most active day for Atlantic hurricanes on record. The storm continued to the North Coast of Cuba and the Bahamas with huge wind speeds, becoming the most powerful storm to hit the area since 1924. Continuing its path of destruction, Irma hit southwest Florida and wiped out everything in its way.
When all was said and done, Irma caused downed power lines, destroyed cables, and flooding due to massive rains. Flights were cancelled and there was a fuel and gas shortage due to the mass evacuations ahead of the storm. The International Red Cross estimates that 1.2 million lives were affected, with that number expected to rise to 26 million as time goes on. The aftermath of Hurricane Irma served as a wake-up call to all, highlighting the importance of having a survival kit prepared before a natural disaster occurs.
The following infographic published by Huntingmark.com will give you more details about Hurricane Irma and will allow you to read personal stories of survivors.