Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 storm, made landfall on the Caribbean island of Barbuda bringing along sustained winds of up to 185mph.
Irma is now officially the strongest hurricane registered since records began.
The fierce winds threw debris around as people sought refuge in their homes or in hardened shelters. The superstorm has caused ‘major damage’ across several Caribbean islands, with buildings torn down and major flooding reported locally.
Irma continues tracking over the Caribbean, and may make landfall in the Florida peninsula over the weekend.
Florida Governor Rick Scott declared an state of emergency for all 67 counties across Florida yesterday.
It’s understood that a total of 8 people are now dead as a direct result of the hurricane.