Hurricane Irma: More than 170K without power in Florida

Hurricane Irma: More than 170K without power in Florida

MIAMI — The Latest on Hurricane Irma (all times local):11:10 p.m.More than 170,000 homes and businesses in Florida have lost power and the center of Irma is about 90 miles southeast of Key West.Florida Power and Light said on its website that more than half of those outages were in the Miami-Dade area, where about 600,000 people have been ordered to evacuate.The company has said it expects millions of people to lose power, with some areas experiences prolonged outages.The company said it has assembled the largest pre-storm workforce in U.S. history, with more than 16,000 people ready to respond.___As Irma's hurricane-force winds started to whip the Florida Keys, the storm stayed at a weakened 120 mph (190 kph) and took slow aim at Florida.The National Hurricane Center says the storm's forward motion fell to 6 mph (10 kph) as the storm stuttered off the coast of Cuba.

Beyonce sheds tears as she visits victims of Harvey

Beyonce sheds tears as she visits victims of Harvey

HOUSTON  — Beyonce returned to her hometown of Houston to provide comfort to those affected by Hurricane Harvey, telling them, "This is a celebration of survival."Accompanied by her mother and former Destiny's Child bandmate Michelle Williams, Beyonce visited with evacuees Friday at the St.

Irma bears down on Florida, more than 5 million told to flee coast

Irma bears down on Florida, more than 5 million told to flee coast

MIAMI — Irma trained its sights on Florida and officials warned more than 5 million people that time was running out Friday to evacuate ahead of the deadly hurricane as it followed a path that could take it from one end of the state to the other.By early evening, Irma was a slightly weakened Category 4 storm with winds of 155 mph (250 kph) and forecasters said it could be back up to Category 5 when it comes ashore near Key West on Sunday morning.Forecasters adjusted the storm's potential track more toward the west coast of Florida, away from the Miami metropolitan area of 6 million people, meaning "a less costly, a less deadly storm," University of Miami researcher Brian McNoldy said.Nevertheless, forecasters warned that its hurricane-force winds were so wide they could reach from coast to coast, testing the nation's third-largest state, which has undergone rapid development and more stringent hurricane-proof building codes in the last decade or so."This is a storm that will kill you if you don't get out of the way," National Hurricane Center meteorologist Dennis Feltgen said. "Everybody's going to feel this one."Irma killed at least 20 people in the Caribbean and left thousands homeless as it devastated small resort islands known for their warm, turquoise water.In Florida, gas shortages and gridlock plagued the evacuations, turning normally simple trips into tests of will.

Rush Limbaugh evacuates after linking Irma to media hoax, 'climate change agenda'

Rush Limbaugh evacuates after linking Irma to media hoax, 'climate change agenda'

PALM BEACH, Fla. – Conservative talk radio host Rush Limbaugh appeared to indicate that he was evacuating his Florida home, just days after expressing skepticism about the seriousness of Hurricane Irma and floating unfounded theories about why media outlets were aggressively covering the looming storm."May as well announce this.

Police shoot armed man at Miami airport amid Irma evacuation

Police shoot armed man at Miami airport amid Irma evacuation

Police shot a man who wielded a knife and tried to get into a Miami airport terminal from a runway, prompting the closure of a busy concourse as travelers tried to leave Florida ahead of Hurricane Irma, authorities said.Miami-Dade Police Director Juan Perez said late Thursday that the unidentified suspect entered a restricted area on the tarmac "where the airplanes actually come in.""One of the sergeants that responded observed a gentleman on the tarmac.

White House: Pres. Trump briefed on Irma preparations; his "number 1 priority is saving lives"

White House: Pres. Trump briefed on Irma preparations; his "number 1 priority is saving lives"

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The White House says President Donald Trump was briefed Thursday on preparations for Hurricane Irma and the federal government's planned response to the storm.The White House says President Trump urged his administration to stay engaged in supporting the governors of the U.S. Virgin Islands, Puerto Rico, Florida and other states that may be affected.President Trump's "number one priority is saving lives," the White House says.President Trump told the officials that those in the path of the storm need to heed the instructions of their state and local officials.President Trump was also briefed on the recovery efforts involving Harvey.He was joined by Vice President Mike Pence and senior members of the Trump administration during the briefing.

Orlando's major amusement parks still operating

Orlando's major amusement parks still operating

The three major amusement parks in Orlando, Florida, are all operating under normal conditions as Hurricane Irma threatens the entire state.Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and Sea World said Thursday morning they are monitoring the movement of Irma, but at this point have made no plans to shut down their parks or alter the normal hours of operations.

"No gas and gridlock:" Traffic nightmare as 500K people told to leave Florida

"No gas and gridlock:" Traffic nightmare as 500K people told to leave Florida

MIAMI — The race to flee Hurricane Irma became a marathon nightmare for many as more than a half-million people were ordered to leave South Florida on Thursday.With the storm barreling toward the tip of Florida for perhaps a catastrophic blow this weekend, normally quick trips turned into daylong journeys on crowded highways amid a constant search for gasoline and lodging.

Harvey telethon to now include Irma victims

Harvey telethon to now include Irma victims

The star-studded Sept. 12 telethon scheduled to help victims of Hurricane Harvey is expanding its reach to include those affected by Hurricane Irma as well.Event organizers say that they are prepared to help in any way they can.Beyoncé, Blake Shelton, Barbra Streisand and Oprah Winfrey will headline the one-hour telethon that will be simulcast next week on ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox and CMT.The event will be telecast live at 7 p.m. CDT on Tuesday, September 12th and streamed live on Facebook, YouTube and Twitter.

Florida woman embraces stranger who gave her last generator in store

Florida woman embraces stranger who gave her last generator in store

ORLANDO, Fla. - While many residents in Florida are bracing for impact as Hurricane Irma makes its way through the Caribbean, Pam Brekke knew she needed to get a generator in order to help her father.Brekke had scoured the area searching for generators, but found only empty store shelves."My father's on oxygen, and I'm worried about this storm," she told WFTV.She even traveled 30 miles from her Sanford home to the Lowe's in Orlando, but, as she waited in line, she saw the customer in front of her receive the last generator in stock.The realization sent Brekke into tears, which caught the attention of Ramon Santiago.Without knowing the reason behind her need for a generator, Santiago gave her the one in his cart.

Senate passes $15.3B aid package for Harvey

Senate passes $15.3B aid package for Harvey

WASHINGTON -- The Senate has passed a $15.3 billion aid package for victims of Harvey — nearly doubling President Donald Trump's emergency request and adding a deal between Trump and Democrats to temporarily extend the government's ability to borrow money to cover its bills.The 80-17 vote returns the legislation to the House for a vote Friday that would send it to the White House.The measure would also fund government agencies through Dec. 8, taking the threat of an Oct. 1 government shutdown off the table.The aid money comes as Harvey recovery efforts are draining federal disaster aid coffers — and as Hurricane Irma takes aim at Florida.Majority Leader Mitch McConnell moved late Wednesday to add $7.4 billion in money for rebuilding to Trump's $7.9 billion Harvey request.