Hurricane Irma was an extremely powerful and devastating tropical cyclone that caused extensive damage and multiple deaths across the Antilles and Eastern United States in September 2017. Irma was the first Category 5 hurricane to strike the Leeward Islands on record, though it was followed by Hurricane Maria, which struck the region at Category 5 intensity as well two weeks later. At the time, Irma was considered the most powerful hurricane on record in the open Atlantic region, outside of the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, until it was surpassed by Hurricane Dorian two years later. It was also the third-strongest Atlantic hurricane at landfall ever recorded, just behind the 1935 Labor Day hurricane, Hurricane Melissa, and Dorian.
Hurricane Irma becomes one of the most powerful hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic Basin region with winds of 185
Hurricane Irma becomes one of the most powerful hurricanes ever recorded in the Atlantic Basin region with winds of 185 mph (280 km/h)
Historical Significance
Hurricane Irma was an extremely powerful and devastating tropical cyclone that caused extensive damage and multiple deaths across the Antilles and Eastern United States in September 2017.
Events Before
After floods along the Mississippi River kill 31 people, Exxon Mobil Corp decides to close a plant in flood-threatened M
After floods along the Mississippi River kill 31 people, Exxon Mobil Corp decides to close a plant in flood-threatened Memphis
Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto announces the recapture of drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, six months after hi
Mexican President Enrique Peña Nieto announces the recapture of drug lord Joaquín "El Chapo" Guzmán, six months after his escape from prison
American singer-actress Katharine McPhee (31) divorces producer Nick Cokas (50) after 8 years of marriage
American singer-actress Katharine McPhee (31) divorces producer Nick Cokas (50) after 8 years of marriage
Pope Francis meets Patriarch Kirill in Havana in the first meeting between the heads of the Catholic and Russian Orthodo
Pope Francis meets Patriarch Kirill in Havana in the first meeting between the heads of the Catholic and Russian Orthodox Churches in nearly 1,000 years
Barack Obama becomes the first US President to visit Cuba since 1928, arriving for a three-day tour with First Lady Mich
Barack Obama becomes the first US President to visit Cuba since 1928, arriving for a three-day tour with First Lady Michelle
Events After
An initiative of 300 Hollywood women called "Time's Up" announces a fight against sexual harassment
An initiative of 300 Hollywood women called "Time's Up" announces a fight against sexual harassment
Javier Bardem becomes the ambassador of Greenpeace for the protection of Antarctica
Javier Ángel Encinas Bardem is a Spanish actor. In a career spanning over three decades, he has received various accolades, including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, a Golden Globe Award, a Critics'…
LeBron James becomes the seventh and youngest player (33 years, 24 days) to reach the 30,000 NBA point milestone during
LeBron James becomes the seventh and youngest player (33 years, 24 days) to reach the 30,000 NBA point milestone during a 114-102 loss to the San Antonio Spurs
Former US Olympic team doctor Larry Nassar is found guilty of molesting over 150 girls and is sentenced to up to 175 yea
Former US Olympic team doctor Larry Nassar is found guilty of molesting over 150 girls and is sentenced to up to 175 years in prison
Brazilian jockey Jorge Ricardo equals the world record for the number of victories by a jockey with 12,844 in Rio de Jan
Brazilian jockey Jorge Ricardo equals the world record for the number of victories by a jockey with 12,844 in Rio de Janeiro
More from the 2010s
New FINA rules re competition swimsuits come into effect; all body-length swimsuits banned; men's suits to maximally cov
New FINA rules re competition swimsuits come into effect; all body-length swimsuits banned; men's suits to maximally cover from the waist to knee, and women's from shoulder to knee; fabric must be a "textile" or woven material
10 people are killed, and 120 are injured in a stampede in Luanda, Angola
10 people are killed, and 120 are injured in a stampede in Luanda, Angola
Dutchman Michael van Gerwen wins his first PDC World Darts Championship, defeating Peter Wright of Scotland 7-4; it is t
Dutchman Michael van Gerwen wins his first PDC World Darts Championship, defeating Peter Wright of Scotland 7-4; it is the first time no Englishman has been in the final
Lithuania adopts the euro as its currency, replacing the Litas and becoming the 19th member of the Eurozone
Lithuania adopts the euro as its currency, replacing the Litas and becoming the 19th member of the Eurozone
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on September 5, 2017?
- Hurricane Irma was an extremely powerful and devastating tropical cyclone that caused extensive damage and multiple deaths across the Antilles and Eastern United States in September 2017. Irma was the first Category 5 hurricane to strike the Leeward Islands on record, though it was followed by Hurricane Maria, which struck the region at Category 5 intensity as well two weeks later. At the time, Irma was considered the most powerful hurricane on record in the open Atlantic region, outside of the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, until it was surpassed by Hurricane Dorian two years later.
- Why is Hurricane Irma becomes one of the most powerful hurricanes ever recorded in t... significant?
- Hurricane Irma was an extremely powerful and devastating tropical cyclone that caused extensive damage and multiple deaths across the Antilles and Eastern United States in September 2017.