Storm Chasers Managed To Get Pictures From Inside Hurricane Irma And They’re Devastatingly Beautiful
Hurricane Irma has already left its mark on the world before it even ended — the category 5 storm ripped through the Caribbean yesterday, leaving 10 dead, nearly thousands homeless, and a large portion of the islands destroyed.
These are the first images from Barbuda after Hurricane #Irma's direct hit earlier today — the strongest landfall in Atlantic history. pic.twitter.com/LTM2ql7SFf
— Eric Holthaus (@EricHolthaus) September 7, 2017
“The extent of destruction in Barbuda is unprecedented,” says Prime Minister Gaston Browne. “95% of properties suffered damage.” #Irma (1/2) pic.twitter.com/2fgI6kUfx6
— The Weather Network (@weathernetwork) September 7, 2017
"Total carnage" – Antigua & Barbuda PM Gaston Browne on Irma's hit on Barbuda; says half the population is homeless https://t.co/lyPVzvLJzw
— TRT World (@trtworld) September 7, 2017
But storm chasers weren’t put off by the severity of the hurricane — despite the danger, scientists and pilots entered the storm t0 gather data on the devastating impact.
The Hurricane Hunters arrived in St. Croix today and will begin flights into #HurricaneIrma tomorrow to collect data for the @NWSNHC. pic.twitter.com/WOWYpDo5w0
— Hurricane Hunters (@53rdWRS) September 4, 2017
Video from yesterday's flight in CAT 5 #Irma on #NOAA42. https://t.co/iofV4p56DE has the latest advisories. Credit Rob Mitchell/NOAA pic.twitter.com/IygcNgIbJN
— NOAA Aircraft Operations Center (@NOAA_HurrHunter) September 6, 2017
Honestly, the videos and pictures they captured were kind of insane.
Video of a flight through the eye of #Irma on #NOAA42. Flights on both the WP-3D Orion and G-IV #NOAA49 continue. Credit Nick Underwood/NOAA pic.twitter.com/9ini4bOnYF
— NOAA Aircraft Operations Center (@NOAA_HurrHunter) September 5, 2017
A sun flare inside the eye of #hurricaneIrma during one of today's flights. pic.twitter.com/TZU8wf7lfF
— Hurricane Hunters (@53rdWRS) September 6, 2017
Inside the eye of #Irma on WP-3D Orion #NOAA42. This is referred to as the "stadium effect" https://t.co/iofV4p56DE Credit CDR Kibbey/NOAA. pic.twitter.com/dlUta2IbDL
— NOAA Aircraft Operations Center (@NOAA_HurrHunter) September 5, 2017
Another look at the moon inside #HurricaneIrma courtesy the @USAFReserve Hurricane Hunters. pic.twitter.com/7FzIKiG5S1
— Hurricane Hunters (@53rdWRS) September 6, 2017
Nothing was crazier than this video of the eye of the storm, though.
Get a good look at Hurricane #Irma's eye with this visible imagery from #GOES16! For the latest info on Irma, go to https://t.co/cSGOfrM0lG pic.twitter.com/q4Q5UtPlIP
— NOAA Satellites (@NOAASatellites) September 5, 2017
Irma is expected to hit Florida this weekend, while a new hurricane, Juan, threatens to hit the Caribbean again within the next few weeks.
"Absolutely devastating…and we are threatened now by another storm, Hurricane Jose." Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne #Irma (2/2) pic.twitter.com/QlEuGrKSoB
— The Weather Network (@weathernetwork) September 7, 2017
Though the photos of the actual storm may seem cool, it’s important to remember that thousands of people are going to be (and already have been) affected by these storms, and that much of the money used for hurricane relief has already been depleted due to Harvey. If you’ve been waiting to find a good cause to donate to, you may have just found one.