Massive evacuation in South Florida as Hurricane Irma set to make landfall

Major Hurricane Irma has been causing devastation in the Caribbean as it makes its way toward the United States. At least 21 people have died. US weather authorities say, the category-4 storm is moving west over the Caribbean Sea near the coast of Cuba. 

They say the hurricane is packing winds of up to 248 kilometers per hour. Irma could make landfall on the southern US state of Florida and officials are urging people to evacuate. 

US media are reporting drivers are flocking to gas stations and highways are jammed.



Irma is expected to move north after making landfall on Florida. Authorities in the adjacent state of Georgia are also calling on people to evacuate.

The head of the US federal emergency agency has said that Hurricane Irma will devastate either Florida or neighbouring states. Brock Long said parts of Florida would be without power for days.Half a million people in the state have been ordered to leave their homes. Hurricane Irma has left a trail of destruction in the Caribbean, affecting an estimated 1.2m people.