http://www.beaches.tampabay.com/news/weather/hurricanes/category-3-hurricane-irma-gains-strength-could-target-florida/2336214Category 3 Hurricane Irma gains strength, could target Florida
Times staff
Monday, September 4, 2017 8:49am
South Florida is keeping a wary eye on Hurricane Irma as it continues to gain strength, setting a course for a potential U.S. landfall by next week.
Irma intensified overnight Sunday, with maximum sustained winds of 120 mph as of Monday morning at 8 a.m., forecasters said.
The storm is located about 610 miles east of the Leeward Islands and is moving west-southwest at 14 mph.
HURRICANE GUIDE & TRACKER: Watch Irma's path here and find storm resources
Carribean islands, including Antigua and St. Kitts, are under a hurricane watch, meaning those areas could experience tropical storm-force winds within the next 48 hours.
However, further strengthening is forecast, and the storm is expected to become a Category 4 hurricane "in the next couple of days," 10Weather WTSP meteorologist Grant Gilmore said.
On its current track, Irma could impact Puerto Rico and the British Virgin Islands as a strong Category 4 hurricane with maximum sustained winds of at least 130 mph.
"Irma has a well-defined eye wall that is not going to see any weakening," Gilmore said.
DOWNLOAD: Get the tbo Weather App and see where storms are headed
By Saturday at 2 a.m., forecasters say the hurricane could be situated just north of Cuba, with a northwesterly track that could approach south Florida.
"Everybody from Florida and up the East Coast will be watching this track very closely because there could be some impact," Gilmore said.
LOCAL FORECAST: What to expect through Labor Day
The Miami Dolphins are monitoring the storm ahead of Sunday's season opener against the Tampa Bay Bucs at Hard Rock Stadium.
As of now there are no plans to delay or move the game. But if South Florida is threatened by the storm it's worth noting the Dolphins and Buccaneers have the same bye week, Nov. 19.
In a pair of tweets Sunday, Gov. Rick Scott urged Floridians to be prepared:
"As we continue to monitor Hurricane Irma, families should make sure their Disaster Supply Kits are ready today.
"FL knows how important it is to be prepared. Encourage your loved ones to have a plan ahead of any potential storm.''
TAMPA BAY IS DUE: The region is not prepared for a major hurricane
In Vero Beach, residents were stocking up on supplies at a Lowe's Home Improvement Store, the Treasure Coast Newspapers reported.
David Yates, 42, of Vero Beach got two propane canisters, and several store customers wheeled by with shopping carts containing 5-gallon gasoline cans.
"You can't take a chance," said Yates, an automotive technician.
