Hurricane Irma: Latest Need-To-Know Facts

ATLANTA, GA — Hurricane Irma, the strongest Atlantic storm in history, is steamrolling toward Florida, the Carolinas and Georgia, causing coastal evacuations, crowded highways and long lines at gas stations as residents heed warnings about the Category 5 storm. The Savannah area is under a mandatory evacuation starting Saturday morning, while Atlanta hotels are filling up with fleeing Floridians.

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Latest On Hurricane Irma: Floridians Told To ‘Get Out Now’

Here are the latest need-to-know facts; share this with your neighbors on Facebook and Twitter:

• Main Escape Route Cuts Through Georgia: Much of Georgia's Interstate 95 is clogged with northbound vehicles moving at a steady rate out of harm's way.
• 100 Animals From Florida In ATL: The Atlanta Humane Society took in about 100 animals Thursday from shelters in St. Cloud, Fla., as Hurricane Irma threatens the Sunshine State.
• Dunwoody Police Welcome Florida Evacuees: The Dunwoody Police Department welcomed out-of-towners getting away from the path of Hurricane Irma on Thursday, taking to Facebook to post a heartwarming -- and well-needed -- message.
• Evacuation Order For 540K Residents; Prepare Now: Mandatory evacuations for half a million people will begin Saturday for the Savannah area as deadly Hurricane Irma continues on a projected path that could take the strong Category 5 storm across Georgia on Monday, forecasts say.

You may also want to read about Paulding County crews standing by to help, cities in North Fulton County brace for high winds and downpours, Sandy Springs has an eye on floodplain regions, Canton is cleaning storm drains ahead of the rains, and a look back at the worst storms to hit Georgia.

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