Florida battens down for Hurricane Irma

Hurricane Irma approaches United States coast.

NASA

Hurricane Irma approaches United States coast.

Hurricane Irma, the largest category 5 hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic Ocean, bellowed over many Caribbean islands, including Puerto Rico and Haiti since Tuesday. Irma is expected to make landfall in Florida this weekend as a strong, category 4 storm.

Friday morning, Irma was located southeast of Miami 450 miles off the coast and should make landfall late Saturday.

Florida declared a state of emergency and received a federal emergency declaration, allowing federal authorities to head relief efforts.

Hurricane Jose, another category 4 storm is still forming in the Atlantic and is expected to follow a path similar to Irma.

According to The Virginian Pilot, the chances of Hampton Roads and the Outer Banks receiving a direct hit from Hurricane Irma have greatly decreased, though rain, wind, and minor tidal flooding could still occur.