Irma bears down on Florida, more than 5M told to flee coast

Irma trained its sights on Florida and officials warned more than 5 million people that time was running out Friday to evacuate ahead of the deadly hurricane as it followed a path that could take it from one end of the state to the other.

Section:Gallery

Fri., Sept. 8, 2017

Gesso Pineda feeds a croquet to his daughter, Aria, as they have breakfast with his wife, Elba, and older daughter, Sofia, at Vicky Cafe, Friday, Sept. 8, 2017 in Miramar, Fla. Irma took direct aim at Florida on Friday and officials ordered evacuations for at least 1.4 million people along the Southeastern coast, as the monstrous Category 4 hurricane spun toward a path that forecasters have long feared: Right through the heart of the peninsula.

Taimy Alvarez Associated Press
Ryan Kaye loads sandbags into his truck at a makeshift filling station provided by the county as protection ahead of Hurricane Irma, Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, in Palm Coast, Fla.

David Goldman Associated Press
Traffic backs in the north-bound lanes of Interstate 75 near the Georgia-Florida state line. Waiting in a merged line tends to slow down traffic, contrary to the common etiquette.

John Bazemore Ap
Carol Schumacher, who plans to ride out Hurricane Irma with her husband, Bob, and dog Casey, sits in a lawn chair in the front yard of her Lauderdale-By-The-Sea home as her husband finishes up hurricane preparations Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, in Pompano Beach, Fla.

Amy Beth Bennett Associated Press
Pinky, a Florida bred filly that has won 7 races in her short career, is led to a trailer at Gulfstream racetrack Friday, Sept. 7, 2017, in Hallandale Beach. Fla. Trainer Jerry Bennett had already taken 30 of his horses to Ocala and was loading another 10 for the journey north before Hurricane Irma.

Mike Stocker Associated Press
Near empty shelves are seen at a grocery store as residents prepare for Hurricane Irma's arrival, Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, in Hollywood, Fla.

Paul Chiasson Associated Press
A worker removes out planks in a dock at River City Marina along the St. Johns River, Friday, September 8, 2017 in Jacksonville, Fla., to help prevent damage from Hurricane Irma.

Will Dickey Associated Press
Cots are set up at the Twin Lakes Elementary School's storm shelter in preparation for Hurricane Irma's impact Friday, Sept. 8, 2017 in Jacksonville, Fla.

Will Dickey Associated Press
A Jacksonville Beach public works front loader moves sand to fortify the dunes near the Jacksonville Beach Fishing Pier, Friday, Sept. 8, 2018, in Jacksonville Beach, Fla., to help with a possible storm surge from Hurricane Irma.

Bob Mack Associated Press
Gretchen, left, and Ron Levine of "A Paw Above" in Hollywood, Fla., take care of 20 dogs and 21 cats as they have been inundated with pet care requests by people fleeing Hurricane Irma, Friday, Sept. 8, 2017.

Susan Stocker Associated Press
Eric & Nicole Zajkowski, who just evacuated Hurricane Irma from their home in Coral Springs, Fla. pass by a boarded up store on Bay Street walking their dog Neeko on Friday, Sept. 8, 2017, in Savannah, Ga. The city of Savannah is under mandatory evacuation on Saturday and the couple said they will have to evacuate a second time to another location.

Curtis Compton Associated Press