7 lives claimed by Hurricane Irma

7 lives have so far been claimed by Hurricane Irma.

Irma, Jose and Katia are the three hurricanes currently churning in the Atlantic basin.

Hurricane Irma ‑‑ a Category 5 storm ‑‑ poses the most imminent threat as it bears down on the Caribbean with maximum sustained winds of 298km/h speeds before it is expected to take a turn to the north to threaten the U.S.

With many South Florida residents fleeing their homes before Hurricane Irma, hospitals in Florida's southernmost county have put their own evacuation plans into motion.

The three hospitals in Monroe County are in the process of shutting their doors ahead of Irma's expected Sunday arrival. The county has also ordered a mandatory evacuation for residents.

The patients will be transported to Gadsden Regional Medical Center in Alabama.

As of 5pm yesterday afternoon, the quickly strengthening Hurricane Jose was upgraded to a Category 1 storm, Jose was moving west‑northwest at 26km/h with maximum sustained winds of 121km/h. The storm could be near a major hurricane by tomorrow.

According to the Atlantic National Hurricane Centre no coastal watches and warnings are in effect for Jose at this time.

Hurricane Katia is currently forming in the southwestern Gulf of Mexico, and as of 5pm yesterday afternoon, it was moving southeast at 5km/h and has maximum sustained winds of 121km/h.

The Mexican government has issued a hurricane watch for the coast in the state of Veracruz from Tuxpan to Laguna Verde. 

Source: ABC and CNN