The islands of the Caribbean, as well as the southeastern coast of the United States, are approaching the hurricane Irma, which is called the most powerful hurricane in the Atlantic over the past decade.

The hurricane has already reached the fifth, maximum category - it is stronger than the hurricane "Harvey", which earlier collapsed on the coast of Texas and led to a catastrophic flood.

A hurricane of such power can easily disrupt the crash and break windows, and also pull out the palm trees and turn them into shells that can kill people. As specialists note, as the hurricane moves forward, it will only gain strength.

US President Donald Trump announced a state of emergency in the state of Florida and the overseas American territories in Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.

The wind speed in the center of the hurricane reaches 300 km / h. Currently, a hurricane that originated in the central part of the Atlantic Ocean passes near the Lesser Antilles.

Previously, a hurricane warning was issued for Antigua and Barbuda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, the Anguilla Islands and Montserrat, Saint Martin, Saint Barthelemy and others.

Many airports are closed, airlines either canceled flights, or decide on the actual weather at the destination.

Under certain circumstances, a hurricane can affect the British Virgin Islands, Cuba and by Saturday fall on the American state of Florida.

The authorities of Florida announced the mobilization of all the soldiers of the National Guard, and also announced the beginning of the evacuation of tourists from the islands off the southern coast of the state.

"We do not know exactly where the hurricane will go, but the weather can change quickly. Although we hope for the best, we must be prepared for the worst, "- state governor Rick Scott.

While the evacuation affects tourists and residents of the islands around the city of Key West, which is the county seat of Monroe County.

"We persistently urge people to be evacuated. You can not afford to stay on the island when a fifth category hurricane is approaching you, "said Martin Centerfitt, head of the Monroe Center for Emergency Situations.

Warnings about the hurricane provoked huge queues in stores all over the state - people went for water, food, fuel and other commodities. As a result, the shelves of some stores were quickly emptied.

In one of the supermarkets in Miami Beach, where the correspondent of Agence France Presse visited, there were almost no essentials left.

"It's because people go crazy and buy everything," said 81-year-old local resident Gladys Bosque. - There is no water, milk too, there is a little canned food, but there is no food for cats ".

On the islands on the path of the hurricane, local authorities also declared a maximum level of anxiety and evacuated residents from areas that could suffer the most.

Residents of the island of Anguilla said that with the approach of the hurricane "the wind grew stronger, the sea became black, and the sky was filled with many colors".

Alison Strand from Staffordshire, now on the island of Anguilla, said that her family had fortified their house on the coast for the last few hours.

According to her, he will become "the first house hit by a storm". "Our house is at a height of 5 meters above sea level, so we simply cross fingers," she said.. "We expect that we will lose our wooden roof".

The red alarm level is announced on the part of the territory of the Dominican Republic, which is popular with tourists, as well as in the overseas territories of France Saint Barthelemy and Saint Martin.

Meanwhile, "Irma" has already reached the fifth, highest category.

The wind speed in the epicenter of the hurricane reaches 300 km / h.

According to experts, "Irma" is much stronger than the hurricane "Harvey" that hit Texas last week.

To eliminate the consequences of "Harvey" President Trump asked Congress for 7.85 billion dollars.