In 2017, one of the strongest hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic basin struck Barbuda, St. Martin, the British Virgin Islands, Cuba, and the United States. In this iteration of Hurricane History, we will discuss the 2017 category 5 Hurricane Irma.
In August of 2017, Irma followed a path through the Caribbean leaving extensive damage behind to several islands. Reaching category 5 status with sustained winds reaching 185 mph, it left catastrophic damage to the islands in the Caribbean destroying homes, infrastructure, and displacing thousands of residents. After crossing the Caribbean, Irma made landfall in the Florida Keys before moving up the west coast of Florida. Bringing strong winds and storm surges, there was extensive property damage, flooding, and power outages, with much of the coast evacuated.
In the aftermath of Irma, there were large-scale relief and recovery efforts by emergency services and other groups and agencies. All together, the economic toll reached $77.1 billion, with the tourism industry suffering tremendously. Hurricane Irma serves as a reminder on how powerful these storms can be and how important it is to be prepared for anything this hurricane season.
We hope you found this information about Hurricane Irma to be insightful on the power of hurricanes and how they can impact us. At AJS, we are committed to serving the Gulf Coast and beyond in moving, building, and leveling and we are here to help you and your properties. For lifting, construction, or moving, give us a call today to schedule a free consultation!