Hurricane Irma’s path toward US still uncertain

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Before the destruction from Hurricane Harvey has been taken care of, another hurricane is already on the horizon.
Hurricane Irma has been picking up speed in the Atlantic Ocean this week.
Time

Hurricane Irma regained strength Sunday to a Category 3 storm, with winds at 115 mph and an unpredictable path that might strike the United States next week anywhere between Florida and Nova Scotia.

A sharper image of the hurricane’s track should come into focus by Tuesday, said meteorologist Philip Klotzbach with Colorado State University. 

The storm could also turn back out to sea without hitting the U.S. mainland. 

“The forecast cone is several hundred miles wide, so we’ll all be watching, waiting and being prepared,” Klotzbach said Sunday. “We don’t want the entire coastline from Florida to Maine to freak out, but pay attention.”

While Texas and Louisiana dry out from Tropical Storm Harvey’s devastating rainfall, the nation is on high alert but needs to be patient, Klotzbach said. He suggested residents on the Eastern Seaboard refresh preparedness kits and keep close watch of the forecasts.

“Subtle shifts in the path now can make big changes as to where it goes next,” Klotzbach said. “Follow your local emergency managers and start thinking about what you’d do if there’s an order to evacuate or shelter-in-place.”

Irma is currently tracking toward the Bahamas by Thursday. 

The National Hurricane Center said Sunday that Irma will likely be a major hurricane — meaning a Category 3 or higher — when it moves near the northeastern Leeward Islands by the middle of this week and could cause dangerous winds, storm surge and rainfall.  

As the hurricane strengthens over warm water, it could slam into the Caribbean islands as a Category 4 with winds topping 150 mph.

The hurricane center said it is too early to determine what direct impact Irma could have on the U.S. coast by next weekend. 

Sunday’s advisories said Irma was still 885 miles east of the Leeward Islands moving at about 14 mph.

In the eastern Pacific Ocean, Tropical Storm Lidia degenerated Sunday with maximum sustained winds dropping to near 35 mph after taking aim at Mexico’s Baja Peninsula.

Initially, Lidia brought concerns about possible flooding and mudslides in Baja California Sur and western Jalisco that received almost 20 inches of rain.

Tropical moisture from Lidia will spread across parts of the desert Southwest into Monday and produce scattered showers and thunderstorms in Nevada, western Arizona and Southern California. The weather service warned of life-threatening surf and rip currents produced by the residual storm swells.

More: Harvey floods Tennessee, Kentucky, as Hurricane Irma spins up in the Atlantic

More: Hurricane Irma roars to Category 3 in Atlantic, forecast to reach ‘extremely dangerous’ Cat 4 strength

 

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Obama congratulates Trump on "remarkable run" in inauguration letter

A  letter obtained and released by CNN written by out-going President Barack Obama to incoming President Trump, reveals some life lessons Mr. Obama imparted on the newly elected commander-in-chief, while congratulating him on what he called a “remarkable run.”

“Millions have placed their hopes in you, and all of us, regardless of party, should hope for expanded prosperity and security during your tenure.This is a unique office, without a clear blueprint for success, so I don’t know that any advice from me will be particularly helpful. Still, let me offer a few reflections from the past 8 years,” writes Mr. Obama to Mr. Trump.

The 44th president goes on to list some advice to Mr. Trump, including to “build more ladders of success” for hard working families and their children.

“American leadership in this world really is indispensable. It’s up to us, through action and example, to sustain the international order that’s expanded steadily since the end of the Cold War, and upon which our own wealth and safety depend,” Mr. Obama adds.

He goes on to remind Mr. Trump that the two leaders are just “temporary occupants” in the Oval Office, adding that regardless of the daily onslaught of political spats, “it’s up to use to leave those instruments of our democracy at least as strong as we found them.”

Mr. Obama leaves Mr. Trump with a final piece of wisdom for his busy moments as president: to take time for friends and family as “they’ll get you through the inevitable rough patches.”

The letter, written by Mr. Obama sometime after the 2016 election, was left for Mr. Trump inside the Resolute Desk of the Oval Office to read upon his arrival to the White House after his January inauguration, as part of ongoing tradition from departing president to incoming president.

Shortly before Mr. Obama left office, the letter George W. Bush wrote to him was released, also offering words of congratulations but warning of challenging times ahead of him.

“There will be trying moments. The critics will rage. Your ‘friends’ will disappoint you,” Bush warned Obama. He added, “But, you will have an Almighty God comfort you, a family who loves you, and a country that is pulling for you, including me. No matter what comes, you will be inspired by the character and compassion of the people you will lead.”

Mr. Trump acknowledged the receipt of Mr. Obama’s letter during his first few days at the White House during a swearing-in ceremony for senior staff.

“I just went to the Oval Office and found this beautiful letter from President Obama,” Mr. Trump said. “It was really very nice of him to do that. And we will cherish that. We will keep that,” said Mr. Trump of the letter.

CNN reportedly obtained a copy of the personal letter from someone Mr. Trump allegedly showed it to.

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