A good thursday morning to you all. Im diane macedo. And im nick watt. We have the latest information on Hurricane Irma as it tears its way across the caribbean. The incredible size of the storm. Its winds have decreased a little to 180 Miles Per Hour but they can be felt as far as 50 miles from the center of the storm. And new video shows what irma did to antigua knocking down trees, blocking roads. But some 30 miles away on barbuda an official calls it absolute devastation. Cell phone towers were snapped in half. On st. Martin streets are underwater and major buildings damaged. The waves were Strong Enough to knock people off their feet. The eye moved past puerto rico overnight. Abcs linzie janis is there. Reporter nick and diane, the eye of Hurricane Irma just passed us in san juan 50 miles to the north off the coast. Thats a little further away than it was predicted to come but we just now feel safe enough to come outdoors because we have been experiencing sustained winds of 55 Miles Per Hour with gusts of up to 70 Miles Per Hour. We have seen objects flying, trees falling, transformers popping. Theres a lot of concern about rain. There is a predicted 20 inches in some areas. But Hurricane Irma has already devastated parts of the caribbean. At least three people are dead. Authorities in barbuda and st. Martin, they report more than 90 of those islands are damaged or destroyed. Cars seen floating through the streets, buildings shredded. Terrified tourists riding out the storm. Irma also ripping through the u. S. Virgin islands. Here in san juan the governor warned the impact of this storm could be catastrophic. Already there are nearly 1 Million People here without power and its not over yet. Nick and diane. No, very far from over. Linzie, thank you. According to most forecasters it is on track to slam into south florida this weekend. After that irmas potential pathway is varied. It will barrel its way up floridas east coast and then hit georgia and the carolinas next week. Mandatory evacuations are already under way in the florida keys where the only road out to the mainland is backed up for miles. Abcs Stephanie Ramos joins us now from miami with the latest. Stephanie, good morning. What are you seeing . Reporter diane and nick, good morning. It is calm and quiet here in miami. But not for long. Hurricane irma is expected to hit florida in the next few days and what weve seen so far from this storm in the northern caribbean islands is terrifying. Floridians are nailing down their evacuation plans. Never had a cat 5. Never experienced it. And its just scary. Reporter or getting ready to hunker down and weather the category 5 storm. Most store shelves are bare as people try to stock up on supplies. There are traffic jams on the highways and heres another common sight in southern florida. Lines of cars stretching into the street as drivers try to gas up their vehicles. Gas is running out everywhere right now. So im just a little too late trying to get it, i guess. Reporter people here are bracing themselves for what could be one of the worst storms in florida history. This is serious and we cannot take chances. Its lifethreatening. It is not a storm you can sit and wait through. Reporter here in miami mandatory evacuations are beginning in certain areas and to make that process faster, drivers dont have to pay any interstate tolls as theyre getting the heck out of here. Florida governor rick scott says even though we are at least 48 hours from this dangerous and powerful storm hitting this area everyone should take preparations seriously and should act now. Diane, nick. Its heartbreaking seeing people try to leave trapped by either lack of gasoline or by traffic and, stephanie, thats whats happening for people trying to drive out. What about for people trying to fly out . How are flights out of florida . Reporter well, a lot of the flights out of florida are fullying booed and a lot of them have been canceled. Miami airport says that if youre in florida and youre trying to get out, go ahead and contact the airline directly to make sure that your flight is a go. But i can tell you flying into miami like i was yesterday plenty of Seats Available so it seems as though a lot of residents here and a lot of people heeding that warning and getting out of this area. All right. Good advice. Stephanie ramos there live for us from miami. Thanks. Stay safe. Irma isnt the only strong storm right now. Hurricanes jose and katia are gaining strength. Jose in the caribbean. Katia in the gulf of mexico. Right now neither is a threat to the u. S. But forecasters are keeping a close eye on them and now lets get the latest on irma from accuweathers justin povick. Justin, good morning. Reporter nick and diane, thanks and good morning to you. Major Hurricane Irma continues to spin northnorthwest impacts through northern hispaniola into tonight toward the turks and Caicos Islands where were looking at not just damaging but devastating impacts as we venture through today and also into tonight. Notice the movement off toward the west and the northwest. There will be some fluctuations in intensity over the course of the next couple of days but, again, between a 5 and 4, a 4 and a 3, were still talking about major impacts and notice that movement here to the westnorthwest bending more northnorthwest over time. You need to focus in on the cone where we are projecting eastern florida, the most likely scenario but do still need to watch out further toward the east, georgia into the coastal carolinas, notice again this remaining a category 5 and 4 as we go throughout the next several days. Movement, again, takes it off toward the west and the northwest. Nick, diane. Justin, thanks very much. The mornings other top stories ahead including a stunner at the u. S. Open overnight. Plus, the president is aligning himself with democrats on a number of fiscal issues. Catching republicans by surprise. And a tiger on the loose in the middle of a neighborhood. The tiger in the front yard. Theres a what, maam . A tiger. Where police now say it came from. boy grandpa, look what i got woman oh dad, wait till you see the bike we got for jake. narrator hearing loss happens gradually with age. Making it easy to ignore. Yet most Older Americans arent getting their hearing tested. Untreated hearing loss can keep your loved ones from enjoying what they cherish most. woman dad, can you hear me . narrator dont let that happen. Speak up about hearing loss. Youll be glad you did. Congressional democrats are beam after President Trump delivered a stinging employee to members of his own party. The president overruled Congressional Republicans to side with democrats on a deal to raise the debt limit and keep the government running as they pay for harvey relief. Abcs janai norman has more. Reporter its the art of making a deal, one that this time includes President Trump working across the aisle and blindsiding his own party. The president agreed with senator schumer and congresswoman pelosi to do a threemonth cr and debt ceiling into december and as what i will be offering based on the president s decision to the bill and well try to get 60 votes and move forward. Reporter fema will be able to quickly get emergency funding for Hurricane Harvey and the debt ceiling will be raised avoiding a shutdown and funding the government but only for three months. Earlier in the day paul ryan scoffed at that idea. I think thats a ridiculous and disgraceful reporter they wanted to increase it for 18 months hoping to avoid another bruising budget fight before midterm elections. But democrats brokering the more appealing deal looking for greater leverage later in the year on other issues like daca. Today was a good day in a generally very partisan town. This is a really positive step forward. Reporter janai norman, abc news, washington. And President Trump says hes also ready to work with democrats on legal identifying the daca program after tweeting that hes willing to revisit the issue. But the president insists he has no second thoughts about ending the program that protects immigrants who came to the u. S. As children. And theres a new legal challenge. 15 states are now suing the government over that plan to repeal daca. And donald trump jr. Is heading to capitol hill today for a meeting related to the investigation into Russian Election meddling. He will appear before the Senate Judiciary committee behind closed doors where hes expected to be asked about his preelection meeting with a russian lawyer. The Committee Plans to call him back later to testify in public and under oath. And facebook has given congressional committees details about the purchase of political ads bought from fake accounts linked to a russian company. Facebook claims that that Company Purchased 100,000 worth of ads during the president ial election. The ads were used to amplify divisive issues including immigration, they did not mention specific candidates. When we come back the latest track of Hurricane Irma and concerns growing about New Buildings in florida. Can they withstand the winds from the storm . 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Remission can start with stelara®. Talk to your doctor today. Janssen wants to help you explore cost support options for stelara®. Supercool notebooks, done. Thats mom taking care of business. And with the 25 cent event, Office Depot Officemax takes care of mom now, all this just 25 cents each taking care of business Hurricane Irma is now moving to the north of the Dominican Republic and winds have decreased from 185 to 180 Miles Per Hour but still a very powerful category 5 storm. There are Hurricane Force winds 50 miles from the center. Irma is expected to reach florida as part of hurricane preparation the city of miami has issued lockdown order force dozens of highrise construction sites. Among the citys main concerns, those tall construction cranes that cannot withstand a category 5 hurricane. Abcs tom llamas has details. Reporter Hurricane Irma causing a sky high scare for some in south florida. In downtown miami a combination of condo canyons and massive construction cranes leading tne. Hurricane andrew in 1992 and hurricane wilma in 2005 led to stricter building codes including in some cases mandating impact resistant windows. Three, two, one. This demonstration shows how impact glass can stop a projectile in its tracks. The other major concern in south florida, those massive cranes. This family lives on the 44th floor of a highrise right next door to one of those crane. They just heard that we might have to worry about the cranes. Reporter tom llamas, abc news, miami. Turning now to the Pacific Northwest where two major wildfires in oregon have now merged into a massive 32,000acre fire. The eagle creek fire and indian creek fire together now span 50 square niles in the Columbia River gorge. Evacuation orders remain in place for many nearby towns. Only one home and four outbuildings have been destroyed but the fire is currently 0 percent contained. Take a look at this. A handful of golfers in oregon just casually finishing their game as that wildfire rages behind them. And there is now a firm number when it comes to additional u. S. Troops heading to afghanistan. A u. S. Official confirms that just over 3500 more soldiers will be deployed but its still unclear exactly when they will be going. The extra troops will raise the total number of American Military personnel in afghanistan to more than 14,000. And authorities in Northern Indiana are trying to determine if an explosion at a post office was an act of terrorism. The blast happened last night in the city of east chicago. A female postal employee who is believed to be pregnant suffered minor injuries. Two pipe bombs were reportedly found at the scene after the blast. The fbi is leading the investigation. Pope francis is spending his first full day in colombia. Hes meeting with the countrys president in hopes of bringing unity to whats been a tense Peace Process there. 52 years of war that left more than 200,000 people dead. Finally ended last year. The pope will also celebrate an outdoor mass in front of hundreds of thousands in bogota. And charges are pending against the owner of a bengal tiger that escaped leading miss on a wild chase through suburban atlanta. Feld entertainment was transporting 14 large cats from florida to tennessee reportedly bound for germany to perform in a european circus when a 6yearold bengal tiger named susie got free during an overnight stop. The tiger in the front yard. Theres a what, maam . A tiger. You said there is a tiger in the front yard. Full size tiger. Now police say they were forced to shoot and kill the tiger. A resident says it was attacking her dog at the time and that dog reportedly survived the attack. Seattle seahawks defensive lineman michael is bennett is considering a civil rights lawsuit after a Police Officer threatened to shoot him in the head. In video posted he is apparently forced to the grund and handcuffed after last months big boxing match. Now minutes before bennett said he heard what he thought were gunshots and he and others started running. He says he believes police singled him out because hes black. I didnt ask for this moment. It just happened to be me and im just lucky to be here to be able to speak about it as any moment i could have made the wrong decision and moved or felt like i was resisting or doing something wrong and you guys would be wearing the seahawks would be wearing the patch with number 72 on it. Police are investigating. He they said he failed to stop for officers searching a crowded area for a possible gunman. The reported shots turned out to be a false alarm and bennett was ee leased without charge. The highly anticipated first u. S. Open meeting between Roger Federer and rafa nadal has been derailed again. Nadal did his part but federer dropped his match and lost in four sets to 2009 champ juan martin del potro. Nadal and del potro meet tonight. The women, it will be an allamerican affair for the first time in 36 years. Madison keyes and cocoa vandz da way and Venus Williams takes on unseeded Sloane Stephens in the other semi. Up next, in the pulse, how bud light is going high tech this football season with its beer glasses. And, yeah, you heard me right chicken sashimi. Find out where people are actually eating this. Im phil mickelson, pro golfer. Im karen, im a teacher. My Psoriatic Arthritis caused joint pain. Just like my moderate to severe rheumatoid arthritis. And i was worried about joint damage. My doctor said joint pain from ra can be a sign of existing joint damage that could only get worse. He prescribed enbrel to help relieve pain and help stop further damage. Enbrel may lower your ability to fight infections. Serious, sometimes fatal, events including infections, tuberculosis, lymphoma, other cancers, nervous system and blood disorders, and allergic reactions have occurred. Tell your doctor if youve been someplace where fungal infections are common, or if youre prone to infections, have cuts or sores, have had hepatitis b, have been treated for heart failure, or if you have persistent fever, bruising, bleeding, or paleness. Dont start enbrel if you have an infection like the flu. Joint pain and damage. Can go side by side. Ask how enbrel can help relieve joint pain and help stop joint damage. Enbrel, fda approved for 18 years. When i walked through for a cigarette, thats when i knew i had to quit. For real this time. Thats why im using nicorette. Only nicorette gum has patented dualcoated technology for great taste, plus intense craving relief. Every great why needs a great how. Find fast relief behind the counter with claritind. Strut past that aisle for the steroid free allergy relief that starts working in as little as 30 minutes. And contains the best oral decongestant. Live claritin clear with claritind. It is time to check the pulse starting with a commercial airliner that flew right into Hurricane Irma. Thats right. The delta flight left new york on a scheduled flight to san juan, puerto rico, just as irma closed in. The crew carefully weaved in and out of the outer bands of the storm. Once in san juan, the passengers were hustled off the plane and it took off for new york less than an hour after it arrived. It was the last flight out of the san juan airport before it closed. Delta says the weather conditions were well within the safety limits for a boeing 737. All right. Good to know. Next, a special keepsake for new England Patriots fans as the team helps to kick off the new nfl season. So, fans attending tonights game against kansas city will be given a special glass courtesy of bud light. And those glasses will light up every time the patriots score a touchdown this season. To make it light up, you have to download an app and keep your phone within 30 feet of your glass. Now, the glasses are also being sold through bud lights website. Just for the patriot, huh . Just for the patriots. Not fair. Anyway, brace yourself for the latest culinary craze. Raw chicken. Yeah, he said raw chicken. So far only a few restaurants in the United States are serving this socalled chicken sashimi. Its prepared by boiling or searing the chicken for no more than 10 seconds. Health and Safety Experts say thats not nearly long enough to kill such harmful microbes as salmonella and even in japan where its more popular officials are requesting restaurants heat the meat to at least room temperature. Oh, thats even worse than if it was just cold. By the way, i have some good news for you. Yeah. It turns out they are making those glasses for other teams, not just the patriots. Okay. That takes our mind off raw chicken. I was just trying to distract. More news after this. Just walk right in and pay zero dollars with most insurance. Plus, when you get a flu shot at walgreens, you help provide a lifesaving vaccine to a child in need through the un foundation. Its that easy to get your flu shot and make a difference. So swing by your local walgreens today. Walgreens. At the corner of happy healthy. Over the course of 9 days sthe walks 26. 2 miles,. Thats a marathon. Because he chooses to walk whenever he can. And he does it with support from dr. Scholls. Only dr. Scholls has massaging gel insoles that provide allday comfort to keep him feeling more energized. So he even has the energy to take the long way home. Keep it up, steve dr. Scholls. Born to move. Its a highly contagious disease that can be really serious. Especially for my precious new grandchild. Its whooping cough. Every family member, including those around new babies, should talk to their doctor or pharmacist about getting vaccinated. Thanks for joining us on this thursday, september 7th. Im matt keller. Reggie is off this morning. Im natasha. We have jessica here. Good morning. Alexis smith, dark and early. And mike nicco. Cooler weather today. Everything looking great. Well, its going to be a little rain. Just a slight chance, but some people like that. Yeah, looking good for those folks. Heres a look at whats going on. Live doppler 7, no real radar returns, not around us. Theyre all north of us. I did run into a few sprinkles. That could be the case for you. Heres a look from sutro tower. Cloudy this morning. Your 12hour day planner, going 63 to 67. Another kind of mild to muggy morning. 60s to 70s from noon to 4 00. Best chance of showers is around 9 00 today through about noon and then the chance will taper this afternoon, and then by 7 00, clouds will open up with a little sunshine before it sets. Well take a look at irma coming up next. Taking a look at the roads, were starting off with a handful of collisions. We just got one in in the east bay, so this is going to be the westbound side of 80. Its reported just before willow avenue. Actually looks like its a little past state route 4 there, so i am seeing a slight bit of yellow. It looks like we have one lane blocked right now, so ill keep an eye on that and see if we have emergency crews arriving on the scene. We dont have details at this points. A quick check at the bay bridge toll plaza. Not many folks out there yet. We have metering lights flipping on around 5 20 typically. Right now, a little stackup starting to build in the cash lanes. For the moment, were okay, and drive times pretty good. One in the yellow, im sure you know which one. Southbound 680, looking okay. Westbound 24, walnut creek to highway 13, just eight, but up to 35 minutes for tracy into dublin, and thats early in the yellow at this point. Well look alt another crash in the east bay in less than ten. Okay, this morning, frances interior minister said irma has killed 28 people on french territories. Although right now, im starting to see reports there are some deaths in anguilla this morning. Irma still on the move. I want to show you this live look at the key west there. I believe. We are saying Dominican Republic on the screen, but i believe this is the south of florida. Anyway, the storm is moving west right now. Irma going past north of hispaniola this morning. And heading towards turks and caicos. This thing on the move right now through the caribbean and headed towards the u. S. Mainland. Officials say up to 37 Million People could be affected across the western caribbean. The islands of barbuda and st. Martin have been devastated. Officials not taking this lightly because look at all this destruction. There are now mandatory evacuation orders in florida. For you to have an idea of how massive this thing is, the storm area covers an area nearly the size of texas, so something were certainly tracking closely. As well as with mike. Thats the latest here. Natasha. Thank you wroorb. This morning, local crews are gearing up to help out in florida as irma approaches. Right now, abc7 News ReporterAmy Hollyfield is live in hayward where pg e workers are about to head out. Theyll be showing up here at this yard in hayward within the hour to start packing up and head to florida to help with hurricane relief. This is just one component of the bay areas response. 50 oakland firefighters are also going to be helping out. About a dozen of them are already on the road. 50 will be flying out this morning, and about two dozen are already on the road. Theyre all part of the urban search and rescue task force