© Jonathan Falwell/AP
Irma wreaks destruction on St Martin
Irma wreaks destruction on St Martin
Islanders are bracing for more storm damage
The appearance of three strong hurricanes in the Atlantic basin which all threaten land is "unparalleled" in modern times, a tropical storms expert has said.
Hurricane Irma has already caused major damage in the Caribbean and is expected to hit southern Florida, while Hurricane Katia is menacing eastern Mexico, and Hurricane Jose could hit Antigua and Barbuda, which suffered major damage just days ago under Irma.
The last time there were three hurricanes in the Atlantic basin simultaneously was 2010, meteorologists said. Including this year, there are only six examples of simultaneous hurricanes on record, according to the Met Office.
But it is the first time all three have threatened land, according to Eric Blake, a scientist at the National Hurricane Centre.
"Never seen anything like this in the modern record," he said on Twitter.
"Three separate hurricane watches at once for the Atlantic? Unparalleled here and totally ridiculous given Irma."
Comment: In July this year eight tropical cyclones were spinning simultaneously in the north Pacific Ocean for first time since 1974.