LANDFALL

Powerful Hurricane Irma Hits First Caribbean Islands

Even the intrepid residents of the Florida Keys are preparing to evacuate.

Hurricane Irma, the most powerful hurricane to originate from the Atlantic Ocean in recorded history, made landfall in the Caribbean early Wednesday morning. The Category 5 storm, with sustained winds at around 185 mph, passed over Barbuda about 1:45 a.m., where it ripped off the roof of a police station on the island. It was too early to determine the extent of the damage, especially because the storm knocked out most communications. Irma is also set to hit Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, and Cuba—then the U.S. According to the Associated Press, residents of the Florida Keys—who are known for riding out some of the most powerful hurricanes—are readying for an evacuation.