At Least 2 Dead After Hurricane Irma Hits Caribbean

Hurricane Irma blasted into the Caribbean early Wednesday, slamming the islands of Barbuda and Antigua and leaving at least two dead. The storm is on a destructive path toward Puerto Rico, Cuba and possibly Florida by this weekend.

Overnight, the powerful Category 5 hurricane made a direct hit on the island of Barbuda, home to some 2,000 residents. French overseas minister Annick Girardin said that there have been two deaths on the islands of St. Bartholomew and St. Martin, local source BFMTV.com reports.  She added that two others were seriously injured.

Antiguan police told the Associated Press they were waiting for winds to die down before sending helicopters to check on reports of damage in Barbuda.

"We are glad so far for the good news that we have had so far," Donald McPhail, executive director of the Eastern Caribbean Civil Aviation Authority, said early Wednesday, noting that they had heard from employees in the region.

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