Hurricane Irma hurtles towards Tampa

With the window closing fast for anyone wanting to escape, Irma hurtled toward Florida with 125 mph winds Saturday on a new projected track that could put the Tampa area – not Miami – in the crosshairs.

Section:Gallery

Sat., Sept. 9, 2017

Evacuees fill Germain Arena, which is being used as a fallout shelter, in advance of Hurricane Irma, in Estero, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.

Jay Reeves Associated Press
Evacuees fill Germain Arena, which is being used as a fallout shelter, in advance of Hurricane Irma, in Estero, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.

Jay Reeves Associated Press
Evacuees are moved to another building with more bathrooms while sheltering at Florida International University ahead of Hurricane Irma in Miami, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.

David Goldman Associated Press
Evacuees stand in line to enter the Germain Arena, which is being used as a fallout shelter, in advance of Hurricane Irma, in Estero, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.

Gerald Herbert Associated Press
A young girl stands in front of heavy waves while winds strengthen as Hurricane Irma approaches, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017, in Hollywood, Fla.

Paul Chiasson Associated Press
A Cuban Red Cross trio patrol near the sea wall in Havana, Cuba, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. There were no reports of deaths or injuries after heavy rain and winds from Hurricane Irma lashed northeastern Cuba.

Ramon Espinosa Associated Press
A sea wall is breeched by overflow as a bulk carrier leaves the bay of Havana, Cuba, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. There were no reports of deaths or injuries after heavy rain and winds from Hurricane Irma lashed northeastern Cuba.

Ramon Espinosa Associated Press
Evacuees are moved to another building with more bathrooms while sheltering at Florida International University ahead of Hurricane Irma in Miami, Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.

David Goldman Associated Press
Waves crash against the Southernmost Point in Key West, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017. Hurricane Irma's leading edge bent palm trees and spit rain as the storm swirled toward Florida on Saturday.

Rob O'Neal Associated Press
People stand next to palm trees as they look at churning waves and high winds along Hollywood Beach, Fla., on Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.

Wilfredo Lee Associated Press
Annette Davis kisses her son Darius, 3, while staying at a shelter in Miami after evacuating from their home in Florida City, Fla., ahead of Hurricane Irma Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.

David Goldman Associated Press
Funky Matas skateboards along South Beach as the effects of Hurricane Irma are felt in Miami Beach, Fla., Saturday, Sept. 9, 2017.

David Goldman Associated Press