21 Facts About Hurricane Irma

Hurricane Irma was an extremely powerful Cape Verde hurricane that caused widespread destruction across its path in September 2017.

Hurricane Irma was the second-most intense tropical cyclone worldwide in 2017 in terms of barometric pressure, and the strongest worldwide in 2017 in terms of wind speed.

Hurricane Irma was the top Google searched term in the U S and globally in 2017.

Six hours later, the depression intensified into Tropical Storm Hurricane Irma, based on scatterometer data and satellite estimates.

Hurricane Irma acquired annular characteristics around this time, with the storm exhibiting a large, symmetric CDO and an impressive satellite appearance.

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Hurricane Irma continued to intensify while approaching the northern Leeward Islands.

Hurricane Irma'slters were made available, though usage was low due to most evacuees staying with family on other islands.

Hurricane Irma's path was such that its impact was both far-reaching and devastating, with landfalls in Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Martin, the Bahamas, Cuba, and the United States, all at major hurricane intensity.

Hurricane Irma killed four people on the French side of the island and injured 50 others, one of whom was in critical condition.

Hurricane Irma left widespread destruction and disastrous flooding along its path over the French island of Saint Barthelemy, southeast of Saint Martin.

Large swells ahead of Hurricane Irma washed ashore debris and sea life in Castries, Saint Lucia, blocking some roads.

Hurricane Irma passed north of Puerto Rico, but still caused significant damage to the United States territory.

Hurricane Irma directly affected a major colony of American flamingos on Cuba's northern Cayo Coco.

Hurricane Irma affected multiple states in the South, especially Florida.

Except for the Florida Keys, the total damage Hurricane Irma caused was not as great as government officials and forecasters had warned.

Hurricane Irma weakened after making landfall in Cuba, but strengthened back into a Category 4 prior to hitting the Keys.

At the time, Irma was the fourth costliest tropical cyclone in the United States, behind hurricanes Sandy in 2012, Harvey earlier that year, and Katrina in 2005.

Hurricane Irma struck the state less than two weeks after Potential Tropical Cyclone Ten had caused the worst flooding seen in western Florida in 20 years, which further worsened the impacts in the region.

Along much of the Gulf Coast of Florida, to the north of where Hurricane Irma made landfall, negative storm surges were observed, with water retracting rather than pushing inland, causing little coastal flooding.

On both sides of Saint Martin, desperate conditions combined with food and water shortages in Hurricane Irma's aftermath led to reports of violence, scavenging, and theft.

Hurricane Irma set multiple records for intensity, especially at easterly longitudes, time spent at such an intensity, and its intensity at landfall.