Here’s How Flooded Florida Could Get During Hurricane Irma

In this NOAA handout image, NOAA's GOES satellite shows Hurricane Katia (L) Hurricane Irma (C) and Hurricane Jose (R) on September 7, 2017 in the Atlantic Ocean. Photo by NOAA GOES Project via Getty Images

Southwest Florida will likely face flooding from Hurricane Irma storm surge with waters rising up to 12 feet above ground level, according to the U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC).

The southwestern coast of Florida from Captiva to Cape Sable will be hit hardest, the NHC said in a 2 p.m. advisory released on Friday, with the water rising 6-12 feet above the ground.

The area from Jupiter Inlet to Cape Sable, including the Florida Keys will see waters rise 5-10 feet. Meanwhile, the stretch of coast from Ponce Inlet to Jupiter Inlet and from Venice to Captiva will see storm surges of 3 feet to 6 feet, the NHC said.

NHC/NOAA