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H
urricane Irma is continuing to strengthen as it moves through the Atlantic as a daunting Category 5 storm, now with 185 mph winds.
Irma has become one of the most powerful storms in history with the National Hurricane Center calling it "potentially catastrophic." It's tied with Hurricane Wilma as the second strongest storm that's formed in the Atlantic Ocean on record, both just behind Hurricane Allen in 1980, which had wind speeds of 190 mph.
Gov.
Rick Scott activated the Florida Air and
Army National Guard Tuesday morning, with 100 members called up immediately and all 7,000 members told to report for duty Friday morning. He also suspended all tolls starting at 5 p.m. Tuesday.
The governor asked President Trump to declare a pre-landfall emergency for Florida, which would free up federal funding to help the state defend itself against the huge storm. Among possible emergency measures would be shoring up beach dunes, building emergency berms and planning for potential evacuations, according to a news release from the governor's office.
"Our state emergency management officials are working with our federal and local partners to prepare for any potential impacts from this dangerous storm," Scott said. "And it is crucial that we have access to every available resource to protect our families and communities."
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