Hurricane Irma facts for kids

Hurricane Irma was a very powerful storm that formed in the Atlantic Ocean in 2017. It became a Category 5 hurricane, which is the strongest type of hurricane. Irma was the ninth named storm and the first Category 5 hurricane of the 2017 Atlantic hurricane season.

Irma began as a tropical storm on August 30, 2017, near the Cape Verde islands. It quickly grew stronger and became a Category 5 hurricane by September 5, 2017. At its strongest, Irma had winds of 180 miles per hour. This was the highest wind speed for an Atlantic hurricane since Hurricane Wilma in 2005. Irma was also the farthest east in the Atlantic Ocean that a Category 5 hurricane had ever been recorded.

Irma's Path and Impact

Hurricane Irma threatened many islands and parts of the United States. It was expected to hit the Leeward Islands, Virgin Islands, and Puerto Rico. Later, forecasts showed it would move towards the East Coast of the United States, eventually hitting Southwest Florida.

Warnings and Preparations

As Irma approached, many warnings were put out. People in places like Haiti and Dominica were told to prepare for the storm. In Florida, many residents put up hurricane shutters on their homes. Roads became very busy as people evacuated, especially from coastal areas.

Damage and Aftermath

Hurricane Irma caused a lot of damage, especially in Florida. The total cost of the damage was about $77 billion. Many homes were destroyed, and power was lost across wide areas.

Sadly, 132 people lost their lives because of the storm. Due to the huge amount of damage and loss of life, the name Irma was officially retired in April 2018 by the World Meteorological Organization. This means no future hurricanes will be named Irma. The name Idalia was chosen to replace it for the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season.

Images for kids

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  Sea surface temperatures in Hurricane Irma's path from September 3–6.

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  Three simultaneously active hurricanes on September 7. From left to right: Katia, Irma, and Jose, the first occurrence since 2010.

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  Combined satellite image of Hurricanes Andrew (inset, at left) and Irma (right), showing the size comparison of the storms

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  Infrared satellite loop of Irma approaching the northern Leeward Islands on September 5, around the time of its upgrade to a Category 5 hurricane

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  Residents in Doral installing hurricane shutters in advance of the storm

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  Eastbound Interstate 4 lanes on the afternoon of September 9 are filled with evacuating traffic from the Gulf Coast (note the emergency shoulder use by moving traffic), while westbound lanes are almost empty at 5 PM on a Saturday afternoon

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  A house in Barbuda that was badly damaged by the hurricane

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  Operational Land Imager imagery by Landsat 8 of the Virgin Islands from before and after Hurricane Irma's impact, depicting a "browning" of the landscape and vegetation.

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  Hurricane Irma north of Hispaniola on September 7, 2017

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  People stand in a flooded street that usually serves as a farmers market, in Ouanaminthe, northeast Haiti, September 8, 2017.

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  Patrol boat Admiral Didiez Burgos of the Dominican Navy delivering disaster supplies in Havana Harbor after Hurricane Irma.

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  True-color images before and after the passage of Irma, in which light blue indicates sediment suspended in the water, kicked up by the intensity of the storm

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  Remains of a Florida neighborhood destroyed by Hurricane Irma in Big Pine Key

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  Boats washed up on U.S. Route 1 in the Florida Keys

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  Hurricane Irma on September 10, just before landfall on Florida. Hurricane Jose can be seen to the lower right.

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  A UK Royal Logistics Corp landing raft delivers emergency relief to Anguilla

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  Royal Marines delivering aid and providing support to the islanders of Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands

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  President Donald Trump visits Naples, Florida to talk with people impacted by Hurricane Irma

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  Nighttime satellite images of Florida before (left) and the night after (right) Hurricane Irma, highlighting the extensive loss of grid (mains) electricity

See also

In Spanish: Huracán Irma para niños