Hurricane Irma

The most powerful hurricane ever recorded in the Atlantic destroyed homes and flooded streets as it roared through a chain of small islands in the northern Caribbean. Meteorologists said Irma could hit the Miami area by early Sunday, then rake the entire length of the state and push into the Carolinas.

Section:Gallery

Wed., Sept. 6, 2017

Shoppers wait in line for the arrival of a shipment of water during preparations for the impending arrival of Hurricane Irma, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017 in Altamonte Springs, Fla.

Joe Burbank Associated Press
Passengers wait in line at the Southwest Airlines ticket counter Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017, at Tampa International Airport.

Chris Urso Ap
A woman pushes out floodwaters on her property after the passing of Hurricane Irma, in St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. Heavy rain and 185-mph winds lashed the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico's northeast coast as Irma, the strongest Atlantic Ocean hurricane ever measured, roared through Caribbean islands on its way to a possible hit on South Florida. (AP Photo/Johnny Jno-Baptiste) ORG XMIT: XRE102

Johnny Jno-Baptiste Ap
Fishermen remove their wooden boat from the sea as a precaution against Hurricane Irma, in the seaside slum of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. Heavy rain and 185-mph winds lashed the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico's northeast coast Wednesday as Hurricane Irma roared through Caribbean islands. The northern parts of the Dominican Republic and Haiti could see 10 inches of rain. (AP Photo/Dieu Nalio Chery) ORG XMIT: DC102

Dieu Nalio Chery Ap
Drivers wait in line for gasoline in Altamonte Springs, Fla., ahead of the anticipated arrival of Hurricane Irma, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. Irma roared into the Caribbean with record force early Wednesday, its 185-mph winds shaking homes and flooding buildings on a chain of small islands along a path toward Puerto Rico, Cuba and Hispaniola and a possible direct hit on densely populated South Florida. (Joe Burbank/Orlando Sentinel via AP) ORG XMIT: FLORL105

Joe Burbank Ap
Boats wait in line to haul their boats north Tavernier, Fla., on US 1, in anticipation of Hurricane Irma on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. Keys officials announced a mandatory evacuation Wednesday for visitors, with residents being told to leave the next day. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz) ORG XMIT: FLAD112

Alan Diaz Ap
Traffic is seen heading North along the Florida Turnpike near Homestead, Fla., as tourists in the Florida Keys leave town on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. Heavy rain and 185-mph winds lashed the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico's northeast coast Wednesday as Hurricane Irma roared through Caribbean islands on its way to a possible hit on South Florida. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald via AP) ORG XMIT: FLMIH107

Al Diaz Ap
Motorists head north on US 1, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017, in Key Largo, Fla., in anticipation of Hurricane Irma. Keys officials announced a mandatory evacuation Wednesday for visitors, with residents being told to leave the next day. (AP Photo/Alan Diaz) ORG XMIT: FLAD108

Alan Diaz Ap
A man rests on a cot inside a shelter set up at the Berta Zalduondo elementary school during the passage of Hurricane Irma in Fajardo, northeast Puerto Rico, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. Heavy rain and high winds lashed Puerto Ricos northeast coast Wednesday as Hurricane Irma roared through Caribbean islands. (AP Photo/Carlos Giusti) NO PUBLICAR EN PUERTO RICO ORG XMIT: CGPR116

Carlos Giusti Ap