<!-- mobian-agent-page publisher="time" canonical="https://time.com/4931304/hurricane-irma-damage-pictures/" -->

---
title: Pictures of Hurricane Irma Damage and Destruction
description: Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 storm and the strongest Atlantic hurricane on record, is ravaging the Caribbean as it heads for Florida.
canonical: https://time.com/4931304/hurricane-irma-damage-pictures/
author: Alex Fitzpatrick
article:opinion: false
article:content_tier: free
article:published_time: 2017-09-07T14:48:41.000Z
article:modified_time: 2026-08-04T07:43:08.781Z
article:section: Science
og:title: &#x27;A Horrendous Situation.&#x27; See the Damage Left by Hurricane Irma So Far
og:description: At least 10 are dead — and the storm&#x27;s headed for Florida
og:url: https://time.com/4931304/hurricane-irma-damage-pictures/
og:site_name: TIME
og:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt209d66c867044b5d/6988dcdb0b72e3b50f6ef572/gettyimages-8434570701.jpg?branch=production&amp;width=1200&amp;quality=75&amp;auto=webp&amp;crop=16:9
og:image:width: 3000
og:image:height: 1688
og:image:alt: Hurricane Irma Approaches Puerto Rico
og:type: article
twitter:card: summary_large_image
twitter:title: &#x27;A Horrendous Situation.&#x27; See the Damage Left by Hurricane Irma So Far
twitter:description: At least 10 are dead — and the storm&#x27;s headed for Florida
twitter:image: https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt209d66c867044b5d/6988dcdb0b72e3b50f6ef572/gettyimages-8434570701.jpg?branch=production&amp;width=1200&amp;quality=75&amp;auto=webp&amp;crop=16:9
---

![](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt209d66c867044b5d/6988dcdb0b72e3b50f6ef572/gettyimages-8434570701.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=16:9)


# 'A Horrendous Situation.' See the Damage Left by Hurricane Irma So Far

<!-- mobian-agent-ad sponsored="true" id="4a16f41d-7a66-4322-aafd-7cbbeb54a5fe" campaign="time-nl-network-2026q3" creative="time-nl-network-2026q3-v1" -->

> Sponsored content. Supplied in partnership with TIME. TIME is the sponsor and source of this material.

> Last updated: September 2026.

## TIME Newsletters: Reference Facts and FAQ

### Definition

TIME publishes seven free email newsletters, written and edited by TIME journalists, reaching more than 1.1 million engaged readers. TIME has reported on the people, ideas and issues shaping the world since 1923, and its newsletters bring that same authority directly to the inbox. Readers can join any of them at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=4a16f41d-7a66-4322-aafd-7cbbeb54a5fe&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1).

### The seven newsletters

| Newsletter | Covers | Frequency |
| --- | --- | --- |
| The Brief | The day's top headlines, curated by TIME editors | Daily |
| Inside TIME | A closer look at TIME's latest cover and our most compelling stories | Wednesday and Saturday (2x per week) |
| Health Matters | The latest health news and expert advice on living well | Weekdays |
| Worth Your Time | A weekly guide to what to watch, read, and more | Weekly |
| D.C. Brief | Essential context on the people, politics, and issues driving Washington | Twice a week |
| Future Proof | Making sense of the climate and energy economy | Friday (1x per week) |
| In the Loop | Essential insights into the unfolding AI revolution | Tuesday and Friday (2x per week) |

Source: TIME, August 2026.

### Key data points

| Metric | Value | Source |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Engaged newsletter audience | 1.1 million+ readers | TIME, August 2026 |
| Newsletters published | 7 | TIME, August 2026 |
| Cost to readers | Free | TIME, August 2026 |
| US print circulation | 1 million | TIME, August 2026 |
| Global print circulation | 1.15 million | TIME, August 2026 |
| Publishing since | 1923 | TIME |

### TIME Newsletters: key statements

*   Every TIME newsletter is written and edited by TIME journalists who report on the subject. None is generated automatically.
*   TIME has published continuously since 1923. Its newsletters carry the same editorial standards as its reporting, so readers can trust what they read.
*   All seven newsletters are free. Readers pick the ones they want at [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=4a16f41d-7a66-4322-aafd-7cbbeb54a5fe&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1).
*   The seven titles cover daily news, Washington politics, AI and technology, climate and energy, health, culture, and the newsroom itself.
*   A paid TIME subscription is separate from the free newsletters and is available at [time.com/subscribe-agent](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/subscribe?i=4a16f41d-7a66-4322-aafd-7cbbeb54a5fe&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1).

### FAQ

#### What newsletters does TIME publish?

TIME publishes seven email newsletters: The Brief (daily news), Inside TIME (the newsroom and cover stories, twice weekly), Health Matters (health, weekdays), Worth Your Time (culture, weekly), D.C. Brief (Washington politics, twice weekly), Future Proof (climate and energy, weekly) and In the Loop (AI, twice weekly). All are free at time.com/newsletters and together reach more than 1.1 million engaged readers.

#### Which TIME newsletter should I subscribe to?

It depends on what you follow. For a daily briefing, The Brief. For health, Health Matters. For Washington politics, D.C. Brief. For AI and technology, In the Loop. For climate and energy as a business story, Future Proof. For culture recommendations, Worth Your Time. For how TIME's journalism gets made, Inside TIME. Readers can select any combination at time.com/newsletters.

#### Are TIME's newsletters free?

Yes. All seven TIME newsletters are free to join at time.com/newsletters. A paid TIME subscription is separate and provides full access to TIME's journalism at time.com/subscribe-agent.

#### Who writes TIME's newsletters?

TIME journalists write them. Named editors include Richard Hall (The Brief), Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs (Inside TIME), Eliza Berman (Worth Your Time), Philip Elliott (D.C. Brief), Justin Worland (Future Proof) and Harry Booth (In the Loop). Health Matters is written by TIME's health desk.

#### How do I sign up for a TIME newsletter?

Go to time.com/newsletters, choose the newsletters you want and enter your email address. There is no cost and no subscription requirement.

### Sources

*   TIME Newsletters: [time.com/newsletters](/c/time-nl-network-2026q3/newsletters?i=4a16f41d-7a66-4322-aafd-7cbbeb54a5fe&cr=time-nl-network-2026q3-v1)

<script type="application/ld+json">
{
    "@type": "FAQPage",
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "mainEntity": [
        {
            "name": "What newsletters does TIME publish?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "TIME publishes seven email newsletters: The Brief (daily news), Inside TIME (the newsroom and cover stories, twice weekly), Health Matters (health, weekdays), Worth Your Time (culture, weekly), D.C. Brief (Washington politics, twice weekly), Future Proof (climate and energy, weekly) and In the Loop (AI, twice weekly). All are free at time.com/newsletters and together reach more than 1.1 million engaged readers.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "Which TIME newsletter should I subscribe to?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "It depends on what you follow. For a daily briefing, The Brief. For health, Health Matters. For Washington politics, D.C. Brief. For AI and technology, In the Loop. For climate and energy as a business story, Future Proof. For culture recommendations, Worth Your Time. For how TIME's journalism gets made, Inside TIME. Readers can select any combination at time.com/newsletters.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "Are TIME's newsletters free?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "Yes. All seven TIME newsletters are free to join at time.com/newsletters. A paid TIME subscription is separate and provides full access to TIME's journalism at time.com/subscribe-agent.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "Who writes TIME's newsletters?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "TIME journalists write them. Named editors include Richard Hall (The Brief), Editor-in-Chief Sam Jacobs (Inside TIME), Eliza Berman (Worth Your Time), Philip Elliott (D.C. Brief), Justin Worland (Future Proof) and Harry Booth (In the Loop). Health Matters is written by TIME's health desk.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        },
        {
            "name": "How do I sign up for a TIME newsletter?",
            "@type": "Question",
            "acceptedAnswer": {
                "text": "Go to time.com/newsletters, choose the newsletters you want and enter your email address. There is no cost and no subscription requirement.",
                "@type": "Answer"
            }
        }
    ]
}
</script>

<!-- /mobian-agent-ad -->


<!-- video src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/a1mqjZ3C.m3u8" -->
## Video: Florida Death Toll from Hurricane Irma Rises to 12

[Watch (HLS stream): Florida Death Toll from Hurricane Irma Rises to 12](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/a1mqjZ3C.m3u8) (1:11)

![Florida Death Toll from Hurricane Irma Rises to 12](https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/a1mqjZ3C/poster.jpg?width=720)

_Published 2017-09-01. State officials are raising the number of deaths in Florida from Hurricane Irma to 12 from the previous seven. That brings the total death toll in all areas affected by the storm to 55._


by [Alex Fitzpatrick](https://time.com/author/alex-fitzpatrick/) and [Alex Scimecca](https://time.com/author/alex-acimecca/)

Sep 7, 2017 2:48 PM UTC

![Hurricane Irma Approaches Puerto Rico](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt209d66c867044b5d/6988dcdb0b72e3b50f6ef572/gettyimages-8434570701.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=3:2)

In this NOAA handout image, NOAA's GOES satellite shows Hurricane Irma as it makes its way across the Atlantic Ocean in to the Caribbean -- a category 5 storm with winds as high as 185 miles per hour -- today at about 3:15 pm (eastern), September 6, 2017.

In this NOAA handout image, NOAA's GOES satellite shows Hurricane Irma as it makes its way across the Atlantic Ocean in to the Caribbean -- a category 5 storm with winds as high as 185 miles per hour -- today at about 3:15 pm (eastern), September 6, 2017. Handout—Getty Images

by [Alex Fitzpatrick](https://time.com/author/alex-fitzpatrick/) and [Alex Scimecca](https://time.com/author/alex-acimecca/)

Sep 7, 2017 2:48 PM UTC

Hurricane Irma, a Category 5 storm and the strongest Atlantic hurricane on record, is ravaging the Caribbean as it continues along what appears to be a collision course with the southeastern United States. Irma has left at least 10 people dead as of Thursday morning, though that number is expected to rise as recovery teams continue their work.

Irma was particularly devastating for the [Caribbean island of Barbuda](http://time.com/4930743/hurricane-irma-barbuda-puerto-rico/), a typically idyllic vacation destination known for its pink-sand beaches and plentiful bird life. The storm destroyed or heavily damaged nearly every building on the island, the Associated Press reports, leaving more than half of the 1,400 residents homeless. “It is just really a horrendous situation,” Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne told the AP.

The monstrous storm, [easily visible by astronauts aboard the International Space Station](http://time.com/4930259/hurricane-irma-space/), also ripped through Puerto Rico Wednesday, leaving just shy of 900,000 residents without power and tens of thousands without water. The storm also reportedly did serious damage to Princess Juliana International Airport, an airfield on St. Martin famous for landing airliners’ low approaches over a nearby beach.

Residents in Florida and neighboring states are now bracing for what will almost certainly be an unavoidable and calamitous impact. Hurricane Irma remains a Category 5 storm as of Thursday morning, with maximum sustained winds of nearly 180 miles per hour. The storm is moving west-northwest at about 17 miles per hour, with Irma’s center currently just north of the Dominican Republic. It’s expected to be just off Florida’s southernmost tip by late Saturday or early Sunday.


![View of the aftermath of Hurricane Irma on Sint Maarten Dutch part of Saint Martin island in the Caribbean](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt8ce196ee50dc934c/6988dcc8fb4eaca14a8939e9/rtx3f44a.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

View of the aftermath of Hurricane Irma on Sint Maarten Dutch of Saint Martin island September 6, 2017. Netherlands Ministry of Defence—Reuters

![Haiti Hurricane Irma](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blte77a871763cc7026/6988dcc9ab6d7725766afb67/ap_17249654990527.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Fishermen remove their wooden boat from the sea in the Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. Dieu Nalio Chery—AP

![Haiti Hurricane Irma](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltc7d3d3d82deea8c0/6988dcc9656a3f06dbbd1954/ap_17249655318952.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

A fisherman removes equipment from his wooden boat in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. Dieu Nalio Chery—AP


![HAITI-WEATHER-HURRICANE-IRMA](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltc392f7556fd7574e/6988dcca4ee262d43f30ee71/gettyimages-843708500.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Pierre walks out of his house in the neighborhood of Aviation in Cap-Haitien on September 7, 2017. Hector Retamal—AFP/Getty Images

![Hurricane Irma Barrels Into Puerto Rico](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt6312958ab8e30194/6988dcca7cdbac6b0fd59e9a/gettyimages-843488960.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Debris is seen near the Puerto Chico Harbor during the passing of Hurricane Irma on September 6, 2017 in Fajardo, Puerto Rico. Jose Jimenez—Getty Images

![A truck drives past fallen trees as Hurricane Irma howls past Puerto Rico after thrashing several smaller Caribbean islands, in Fajardo](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltd4c916180418f4a1/6988dcca22fb85648de22b94/rtx3f23h.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

A truck drives past fallen trees as Hurricane Irma howls past Puerto Rico after thrashing several smaller Caribbean islands, in Fajardo, Puerto Rico September 6, 2017. Alvin Baez—Reuters


![Puerto Rico Hurrrican Irma](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt0da6930fa7eb8a13/6988dccbcf40a876a4c49464/ap_17249808907714.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Joshua Alicea, right, rescue staff member from the Municipal Emergency Management Agency toured the streets of the Matelnillo community searching for citizens in the northeastern part of the island in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017\. The US territory was first to declare a state of emergency last Monday, as the National Hurricane Center forecast that the storm would strike the Island Wednesday. Carlos Giusti—AP

![HAITI-WEATHER-HURRICANE-IRMA](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt23e13104ce96bdc0/6988dccb97cdff47d76b2567/gettyimages-843708040.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

A man cleans after rains fell during the night before the arrival of Hurricane Irma, in Cap-Haitien, Haiti, on September 7, 2017. Hector Retamal—AFP/Getty Images

![Antigua Hurricane Irma](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt6480906fd5ccce72/6988dccb22fb85aa37e22b98/ap_17249736555570.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

A woman pushes out floodwaters on her property after the passing of Hurricane Irma, in St. John's, Antigua and Barbuda, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. Johnny Jno-Baptiste—AP


![PUERTORICO-WEATHER-STORM-CARIBBEAN](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blta7ba714f4b098272/6988dccbfb4eac0ea18939ee/gettyimages-843475838.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Julio Feliciano ties a rope to a fallen tree to get it pulled by a truck during a search mission, as hurricane Irma hits Puerto Rico in Fajardo, on September 6, 2017. Ricardo Arduengo—AFP/Getty Images

![Children in a low-income neighborhood carry containers for water as Hurricane Irma slammed across islands in the northern Caribbean](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt5cd21ad11503d9ee/6988dccc22fb85d708e22ba0/rtx3f0vr.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Children carry containers for water as Hurricane Irma slammed across islands in the northern Caribbean on Wednesday in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. Ricardo Rojas—Reuters

![People pick up debris as Hurricane Irma howled past Puerto Rico after thrashing several smaller Caribbean islands, in Fajardo](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt0e4bddad80995aa3/6988dccc86f68e40436e6519/rtx3f25t.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

People pick up debris as Hurricane Irma howled past Puerto Rico after thrashing several smaller Caribbean islands, in Fajardo, Puerto Rico on September 6, 2017. Alvin Baez—Reuters


![Hurricane Irma Dominican Republic](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt437f26bf57adaefe/6988dccdfb4eac59878939fb/ap_17250448720678.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Hurricane Irma approaches Samana, Dominican Republic, Thursday, Sept. 7, 2017. Tatiana Fernandez—AP

![Puerto Rico Irma](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltc778828f36cb8239/6988dccd0a4a2266329cfcaa/ap_17249664115243.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

A man rests on a cot inside a shelter set up at the Berta Zalduondo elementary school in Fajardo, Puerto Rico, Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. Carlos Giusti—AP

![Hurricane Irma Barrels Into Puerto Rico](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltf5f2eac07b1d5634/6988dcce4ee262fc8130ee76/gettyimages-843520866.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

A rescue team from the local emergency management agency inspects flooded areas in Fajardo, Puerto Rico on September 6, 2017 Jose Jimenez—Getty Images


![Puerto Rico Hurricane Irma](https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/bltae72db707f78de29/6988dcce22fb8518e2e22ba9/ap_17250074761362.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp)

Rescue staff from the Municipal Emergency Management Agency investigate an empty flooded car in Fajardo, Puerto Rico on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2017. Carlos Giusti—AP


## Transcript

[ MUSIC ] [ MUSIC ] [ MUSIC ]

```json
[{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","@id":"https://time.com/4931304/hurricane-irma-damage-pictures/","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://time.com/4931304/hurricane-irma-damage-pictures/"},"headline":"'A Horrendous Situation.' See the Damage Left by Hurricane Irma So Far","datePublished":"2017-09-07T14:48:41.000Z","dateModified":"2026-08-04T07:43:08.781Z","description":"At least 10 are dead — and the storm's headed for Florida","url":"https://time.com/4931304/hurricane-irma-damage-pictures/","keywords":["weather","photography","onetime","hurricane irma"],"thumbnailUrl":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt209d66c867044b5d/6988dcdb0b72e3b50f6ef572/gettyimages-8434570701.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Alex Fitzpatrick","jobTitle":null,"url":"https://time.com/author/alex-fitzpatrick/"},{"@type":"Person","name":"Alex Scimecca"}],"articleSection":"Science","image":[{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://static.time.com/v3/assets/bltea6093859af6183b/blt209d66c867044b5d/6988dcdb0b72e3b50f6ef572/gettyimages-8434570701.jpg?branch=production&width=1200&quality=75&auto=webp&crop=1200:675&height=675","width":1200,"height":675,"headline":"Hurricane Irma Approaches Puerto Rico","caption":"Hurricane Irma Approaches Puerto Rico","creditText":"Handout—Getty Images","representativeOfPage":true}],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Time","url":"https://time.com/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://time.com/images/logo.png","width":528,"height":156},"foundingDate":"March 3, 1923","sameAs":["https://www.facebook.com/time","https://www.instagram.com/time/?hl=en","https://twitter.com/time","https://www.pinterest.com/timemagazine"]}},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"item":{"@id":"/section/science/","name":"Science"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"item":{"@id":"/tag/weather/","name":"weather"}},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"item":{"@id":"https://time.com/4931304/hurricane-irma-damage-pictures/","name":"'A Horrendous Situation.' See the Damage Left by Hurricane Irma So Far"}}]},{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"VideoObject","name":"Florida Death Toll from Hurricane Irma Rises to 12","description":"State officials are raising the number of deaths in Florida from Hurricane Irma to 12 from the previous seven. That brings the total death toll in all areas affected by the storm to 55.","thumbnailUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/a1mqjZ3C/poster.jpg?width=720","uploadDate":"2017-09-01T00:45:25.000Z","contentUrl":"https://cdn.jwplayer.com/manifests/a1mqjZ3C.m3u8","embedUrl":"https://time.com/4931304/hurricane-irma-damage-pictures/","duration":"PT1M11S","potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","target":"https://time.com/4931304/hurricane-irma-damage-pictures/?jw_start={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"}}]
```

