Widespread and prolonged power outages will become part of life for most Floridians over the next few days as Hurricane Irma has started to make an anticipated northern turn that will result in a destructive run through the state starting Sunday.
The storm is on a more western track than earlier in the week and is expected to bring storm surges of up to eight feet in Tampa and 15 feet in Southwest Florida. Florida Power & Light has projected that more than 80 percent of its 10 million customers across Florida may experience power outages as the storm crosses the state.
With weather deteriorating in South Florida, major hurricane-force winds are expected to be over the Florida Keys at daybreak Sunday, according to the National Hurricane Center. Speaking from the state Emergency Operations Center in Tallahassee Saturday night, Governor Rick Scott said now is your last chance to evacuate.
Statewide, more than 6.5 million people have been told to evacuate. By Saturday evening, more than 70,000 people were in 385 shelters opened throughout Florida.