Mass evacuations are to take place in the Florida Keys and the Caribbean after a hurricane the size of France became the most powerful storm ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean with 185mph winds.
America's National Hurricane Center said Irma had strengthened into a dangerous Category 5 storm as it made its first landfall in islands of northeast Caribbean on a path that could take it to the United States - causing thousands to start panic buying and preparing to evacuate.
This morning, the eye of the 'potentially catastrophic' hurricane hit Barbuda just hours after officials warned people to seek protection from Irma's 'onslaught' in a statement that closed with: 'May God protect us all.'
Heavy rain and howling winds raked the neighboring island of Antigua, sending debris flying as people huddled in their homes or government shelters. The island of Anguilla is next in its path.