[RayChuang88]

I believe both NOAA's own WP-3D Orion planes and the USAF WC-130J Hercules planes from the 53rd Weather Reconnaissance Squadron are flying into Irma. What they've found is pretty scary--extremely high winds and very low barometric pressure--well under 930 millibars at the center of the storm.

In short, imagine the wind speed of an EF-4 scale tornado but the winds lasts for hours. There may not be much left on any area affected by such a powerful hurricane.

But now, the really scary part is that the storm could make landfall at the worst place possible: the Miami, FL metro area. That could result in enormous destruction, especially the extremely vulnerable Miami Beach area, from 140+ mph winds, heavy rains and storm surges.

[American Quilter]

I just saw a crawler on The Weather Channel saying the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda has reported there’s been no loss of life. If true, it’s very good news.

[NormsRevenge]

140+ mph for a few hours will definitely get the coconuts and the monkeys out of the palm trees , this one could make Andrew look like a rain shower and it was CAT5, had a barometric of 926 mb and was rated a SuperHurricane..

Sounds like water temps are up, I’ve been in good blows before but a baby like this will sheer off a lot of landscaping and stuff including roofs, greenery etc. what a mess..