INDIAN RIVER COUNTY — Even though the impacts from Hurricane Irma to the county are unknown at this time, the emergency services department is making sure residents are prepared for any catastrophic damage.
Irma, which strengthened into a Category 5 hurricane with 180 mph winds Tuesday, is expected to bring life-threatening wind, a storm surge and rainfall hazards to the area on Sunday and Monday, officials said. The storm was about 1,590 miles from Vero Beach as of 3 p.m. Tuesday.
The storm is moving west at 14 mph. Reliable models continue to show a northward turn beyond day five and a chance of tropical storm force winds gradually increasing over east central Florida.
Any Hurricane watches or warnings could take effect for the area as early as Thursday, according to the Indian River County Emergency Services Department.
Here are some helpful tips to prepare for Hurricane Irma
- Make sure your automobile is full of fuel
- Have some cash on hand
- Gather your important papers
- Take a home inventory (with pictures, if possible)
- Make sure you have disaster supplies for a minimum of 3-days
- Listen for evacuation and shelter opening announcements
- Help those with special needs register for the Indian River County Special Needs Shelter ASAP (226-3900)
Hurricane Irma comes just a couple days after Hurricane Harvey slammed Houston, Texas, with catastrophic flooding. On Tuesday, Tropical Storm Jose formed in the Atlantic Ocean at 40 mph and is moving west at 13 mph, following Irma.