Hurricane Irma: Latest Need-To-Know Facts About Florida Landfall

MIAMI, FL — Hurricane Irma slowed down and weakened to a Category 3 storm Saturday evening, but still remains a powerful, dangerous threat as it makes a slower approach toward the Florida Keys, where it's expected to make landfall by daybreak Sunday. Though weaker after leaving Cuba, Floridians should brace a life-threatening coastal storm surge of 10 to 15 feet, even 20 feet in some areas, causing widespread flooding. While Florida is expected to take the brunt of the storm, massive flooding is a concern in Alabama, Georgia and the Carolinas.

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For the latest in your community, find your local Patch here. Here are the latest need-to-know facts; share this with your neighbors on Facebook and Twitter:

• Hurricane Irma is expected to hit the Florida Keys head-on early Sunday morning, but the storm's path has shifted, causing alerts in Naples, Fort Myers and Tampa. The massive system could also unleash vicious winds from one coast to the other in Florida, where more than 6 million people have been ordered to evacuate. Hold-outs are on their own, Florida Gov. Rick Scott said Saturday. Flooding is a major concern with storm surges that could push walls of water up to 12 feet high onto land. Emergency officials think up to 9 million people could lose power in the massive weather system, which is being called the worst storm in the United States in 25 years.
• What storm shift means for Tampa Bay: After slamming into the Florida Keys Sunday morning, Irma is expected to begin a potentially devastating trek north, along the west coast. Forecasters expect Irma to make it well north of the Tampa Bay area before losing major hurricane status.
• Some evacuees leave pets behind: Authorities have rescued more than 50 animals tied to trees or poles in Palm Beach County as Hurricane Irma approaches Florida.
• Sunshine Skyway Bridge closed: The Skyway Bridge was closed due to high winds Saturday evening. Other bridges are expected to close as well.
• Manatee County under hurricane warning: Manatee County residents should find shelter ahead of Irma or "hunker down" to wait out the storm. It could be 72 hours before help arrives.
• Tampa Bay area's unique vulnerabilities: A grave warning from hurricane experts originally shared in 2015 served as a reminder of the region's unique vulnerabilities.
• Tampa Bay shelters filling up: As the vicious storm approaches, evacuees are looking for pet-friendly shelters.
• Where to find shelters: Miami-Dade County had opened 44 emergency shelters as of Saturday morning, but some are already at capacity.

Analysis: Irma's 'Cone Of Uncertainty' Is Massive

You may also want to read about curfews in effect in Miami Beach, Palm Beach and West Palm Beach, Pasco County's call for volunteers, why some Floridians are staying put, what's being done to keep the homeless safe, Pasco County school closings, how to report a power outage, a touching story about a hurricane-eve gathering at a pizza joint, how people in the Tampa Bay area are responding, a cruise to nowhere, port closings, a call for blood donations, shark myths spinning around the internet, and school and government closings.

Junior Lopez and his uncle Jose Lopez work to install plywood over the windows of a restaurant as residents and visitors secure property and evacuate the area ahead of Hurricane Irma on September 08, 2017 in Fort Myers, Florida. Florida appears to be in the path of the hurricane which may come ashore at category 4. (Photo by Brian Blanco/Getty Images)