Hurricane Warning Issued For South Florida And Keys

MIAMI, FL — The National Weather Service issued hurricane and storm surge warnings for South Florida and the Florida Keys ahead of Hurricane Irma's expected arrival this weekend. The warnings were issued at 11 p.m. Earlier, the National Weather Service issued watches for South Florida.

Like the Miami Patch Facebook page below, then continue reading the story.

Thursday's late-night warning took on a more ominous feel as mobile phones in South Florida simultaneously received messages that read, "Emergency Alert. Hurricane warning this area. Check local media and authorities." (For more hurricane news or local news from Florida, click here to sign up for real-time news alerts and newsletters from Miami Patch, and click here to find your local Florida Patch. If you have an iPhone, click here to get the free Patch iPhone app.)

Watch: New Track Has Irma Directly Hitting South Florida

A hurricane warning means that hurricane conditions are expected somewhere within the warning area. Preparations to protect life and property should be rushed to completion, according to the National Weather Service.

A storm surge warning means there is a danger of life-threatening inundation, from rising water moving inland from the coastline, during the next 36 hours in the indicated locations.

"This is a life-threatening situation. Persons located within these areas should take all necessary actions to
protect life and property from rising water and the potential for other dangerous conditions," according to the National Weather Service. "Promptly follow evacuation and other instructions from local officials."

Image courtesy National Weather Service