World

Hurricane Irma more destructive than World War II bombs, say experts

Almost every building in Barbuda faced damage after core of hurricane tore almost directly across island

News Desk September 07, 2017

This satellite image obtained from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) shows Huricane Irma(L) and Hurricane Jose(R) at 2015 UTC on September 6, 2017. Tropical storm Jose in the Atlantic Ocean has been upgraded to hurricane status, the National Hurricane Center said on September 6, 2017.Jose was 1,040 miles (1,675 kilometers) east of the Lesser Antilles and packing maximum sustained winds of 75 miles per hour (120 kilometers per hour), the NHC said. It was considered a Category One hurricane on the five-level Saffir-Simpson scale. PHOTO: AFP

Experts warn about the force of Hurricane Irma, saying it contains nearly twice the energy of all the bombs used in the Second World War.

Louis Uccellini, director of the National Weather Service, said that areas starting from Florida Keys in Florida up the east coast to North Carolina are at risk due to the storm. He cautioned that “all the hazards are associated with this storm” are going to be dangerous.

Irma strengthens to Category five hurricane

According to Kerry Emanuel, an expert at MIT, Irma carries around 7 trillion watts, which is double the energy of all bombs exploded in World War II.

The hurricane has resulted in the loss of at least eight lives, with 23 others injured on French island territories, said France’s interior minister.

"This is not, by far, a definitive number... we have not explored all the parts of the island," Guadeloupe prefect Eric Maire said, adding the death toll was expected to increase in the next few hours.

Placed in Category 5, the highest US classification for hurricanes, the mega storm has been previously labeled ‘potentially catastrophic’. Vast areas of Puerto Rico experienced blackouts as heavy winds and rain lashed the US territory. The storm stayed just out to sea as it hurtled towards the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

Authorities struggled to provide aid to the small Caribbean islands due east, which had been devastated by the storm's record 185mph (298kph) winds. Meanwhile, residents of Florida hurriedly prepared themselves for a potential direct hit on Miami.

Man trapped during Hurricane Irma tweets of 'apocalyptic' scene

Almost every building in Barbuda faced damage after the core of the hurricane tore almost directly across the island early Wednesday. Approximately 60 percent of the island’s total population was left homeless, according to Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne.

An emergency declaration for the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico was approved by US President Donald Trump, allowing the Federal Emergency Management Agency and other agencies to clear the debris and provide other services that will be largely financed by the US government.

This story originally appeared on the Independent.