Yacht Escapes During Hurricane Irma, Hits Bridge (Video)

ST. PETE BEACH, FL—A yacht that got loose during Hurricane Irma is causing a bit of frustration for authorities at 54th Ave South Bridge heading toward St. Pete Beach.

The boat escaped its mooring and crashed against a Pinellas Bayway bridge, Tampa Bay Times reports. Authorities say the bridge is closed until further notice, as the boat is affecting power and water lines on the bridge.

Irma's path through central Florida has brought howling winds, toppled trees and ripped down power lines to Pinellas County overnight. The sheriff's office initially restricted access into the county due to continuing hazardous conditions. The county's roads re-opened at 9:30 a.m., but the barrier islands remain closed until 4 p.m. Travel restrictions did not apply to those driving inside county lines.

An interactive map shows the county has seen minimal flooding on roads. Many of the road closures are a result of downed power lines, trees and other debris. See the latest updates on road closures here.

"After initial damage assessment we felt comfortable with re-opening the county," said Sheriff Bob Gualtieri in a statement.

At 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 11, more than 6.2 million Florida residents were without power, according to NBC News. Florida Power and Light company had 3.6 million customers without power. Utility companies were reporting about 320,000 Tampa Bay homes and businesses were without power Monday.

By Monday morning, Irma had weakened to a tropical storm heading northwest to Florida's panhandle and into Georgia.

SEE ALSO:

• Hurricane Irma Aftermath: Power Outages Across Tampa; 'Not Safe To Travel'
  
• Hurricane Irma Live Updates: Now A Tropical Storm, Florida Panhandle And Georgia Get Hit

Image via Pinellas County Sheriff's Office