Florida

Flooding outside the Germain Arena in Estero, Fla., where some 5,000 people sought shelter from Hurricane Irma.

National

After Irma, Shelter Residents Weigh Whether To Brave The Roads — Or Wait It Out

3:50pm September 11, 2017

by Camila Domonoske

Germain Arena in Florida's Lee County offered refuge to some 5,000 people as Hurricane Irma approached. After two days there, many of them were anxious to go even though the roads out weren't clear.

Science

Manatees Rescued After Irma Leaves Them High And Dry In Sarasota Bay

2:44pm September 11, 2017

by Scott Neuman

When the approaching storm sucked the water out of the shallow bay in Florida, it left a pair of manatees stuck on the bottom. Good Samaritans and Manatee County sheriff's deputies helped out.

People crowd Fort Lauderdale International Airport as evacuation is underway on Thursday.

National

With A Hurricane Approaching Florida, Airline Algorithms Show No Sympathy

8:06am September 09, 2017

by Scott Simon

The software of major airlines monitor supply and demand, then lower or raise prices accordingly — within seconds. That can lead to some exorbitant prices, NPR's Scott Simon says.

A FEMA rescue team evacuates people from a neighborhood inundated by floodwaters from Tropical Storm Harvey on Monday, Aug. 28 in Houston, Texas.

National

First Harvey And Now Irma; Relentless Storms Strain Rescue Workers

7:33am September 09, 2017

by Nathan Rott

Consecutive hurricanes and even wildfires have exhausted rescue workers brought in to help with conditions in Texas, Florida and Western states.

The Category 5 Hurricane Irma made landfall in Cuba Friday before being downgraded to Category 4. A satellite image shows the storm at 3 a.m. ET Saturday.

Millions Ordered To Evacuate Florida As Irma Crashes Past Cuba

6:00am September 09, 2017

by Scott Neuman

With 155 mph winds, Irma is headed for Florida. More than 5 million people have been ordered to evacuate.

"The chance of direct impacts is increasing in portions of Georgia, South Carolina and North Carolina," the National Hurricane Center says of Hurricane Irma.

As Irma Passes Dominican Republic, Florida Girds For The Coming Storm

5:43am September 08, 2017

by Bill Chappell

Down graded to a Category 4, Irma's brutal churn through the Caribbean is aimed at Florida, where the National Hurricane Center says it's more likely to make landfall as a "dangerous major hurricane."

Queue Listen Now

Many gas stations in South Florida were reportedly out of fuel on Tuesday morning, as indicated by red markers on GasBuddy's gas availability tracker.

National

Gas In The Tank, Cafecito In Hand: Floridians Prepare For Irma

10:35pm September 07, 2017

by Laurel Wamsley

Gas stations were packed and long lines for water and plywood formed as residents made preparations for the storm to strike the Florida coast.

Here's What You Need To Know About Hurricane Irma

1:48pm September 06, 2017

by Nell Greenfieldboyce

As the powerful storm approaches the U.S., here are some of the basics about the dangers it poses.

Hurricane Irma's likely path through the Caribbean is shown on this NOAA map from its 2 p.m. ET advisory Tuesday. The blue lines show its potential track, not the outer edge of Irma's strong winds.

National

185 MPH: Hurricane Irma's Winds Roar As It Nears Caribbean Islands

5:41pm September 05, 2017

by Bill Chappell

Irma is the strongest hurricane the National Hurricane Center has ever recorded in the Atlantic basin outside of the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico.

Florida State Attorney Aramis Ayala answers questions during a news conference Friday in Orlando, Fla.

National

After Losing In Court, Florida Anti-Death-Penalty Prosecutor Charts Way Forward

7:00pm September 01, 2017

by Merrit Kennedy

After Florida's Supreme Court said the governor could reassign her first-degree-murder cases, State Attorney Aramis Ayala said she respects the decision and announced new review measures.