Hurricane Irma’s forecast track nudges westward, expected to remain Category 3

FORT MYERS, Fla. Here is what you need to know about Hurricane Irma as the storm develops:

11:00 p.m.

Irma’s forecast track nudges westward as of the 11 p.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center. Irma’s maximum sustained winds weakened to 120 mph.

Irma is expected to remain a Category 3 Hurricane, according to WINK News Chief Meteorologist Jim Farrell said.

The Category 3 storm was positioned about 90 miles southeast of Key West, moving northwest at 6 mph.

WINK News Chief Meteorologist Jim Farrell provided details on the latest advisory:

Here is the latest forecast cone:

10:50 p.m.

Gov. Rick Scott reminded Florida residents to charge their cell phones ahead of Hurricane Irma.

More than 76,000 have lost power. Charge your cell phone now so you will have a full battery in case you lose power #FLPrepares

— Rick Scott (@FLGovScott) September 10, 2017

10:00 p.m. 

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge was closed to traffic, according to the Florida Highway Patrol.

9:30 p.m.

The long-forecast turn toward Florida is happening.

Hurricane Irma appears to be pivoting toward the north, taking it off the generally westerly direction it’s followed for the last several days and putting it on a course toward Southwest Florida.

WINK Chief Meteorologist Jim Farrell analyzes Doppler Radar indicating the northward jog:

9:18 p.m.

All law enforcement and emergency services will be discontinued at midnight until possibly mid-afternoon Monday in Glades County due to tropical storm force winds, according to Glades County emergency management officials.

9:08 p.m.

Irma’s maximum sustained winds strengthened to 125 mph as of the 9 p.m. advisory from the National Hurricane Center.

The Category 3 storm was positioned about 105 miles southeast of Key West, moving west-northwest at 9 mph.

A turn northward toward Southwest Florida is likely to take place before midnight, Chief Meteorologist Jim Farrell said.

8:00 p.m.

Category 3 Hurricane Irma maximum sustained winds weakened slightly to 120 mph in the National Hurricane Center’s 8 p.m. advisory.

Irma was 110 miles southeast of Key West, moving west at 7 mph as of the latest advisory.

Here is the latest forecast cone:

7:12 p.m.

A curfew will be in effect for Collier County after Hurricane Irma passes if Sheriff Kevin Rambosk gets his way.

Rambosk will ask county commissioners to enact it, the sheriff’s office said.

It’s unclear what the hours of the curfew would be.

6:55 p.m.

If power goes out, it won’t be because Florida Power and Light turned it off before Hurricane Irma hits.

The company doesn’t pre-emptively shut down electricity for storms, the company said in a statement.

Read the statement below:

“FPL has built the most sophisticated and strongest power grid in the nation. Our goal is to continue providing our customers power now and during the storm. To be clear, FPL has no plans to shut down power to its customers. In fact, we have adequate power to continue serving all customers. After the storm hits, our crews will begin working to restore power as soon as conditions are safe. Once restoration begins in earnest, our goal is to get as many customers up and running as soon as possible and we will not stop until all power is restored.”

6:35 p.m.

The WINK Weather Authority team answers questions about Hurricane Irma on Facebook Live.

6:15 p.m.

Gov. Rick Scott provided updates on Hurricane Irma from Tallahassee:

5:00 p.m.

Category 3 Hurricane Irma maintained maximum sustained winds of 125 mph in the National Hurricane Center’s 5 p.m. advisory.

The revised forecast cone shows a slight jog to the west, WINK meteorologist Scott Zedeker said. But Southwest Florida is still poised for a direct hit.

Irma was 115 miles southeast of Key West, moving west at 9 mph as of the 5 p.m. advisory.

Watch more from Zedeker on the latest hurricane data:

4:40 p.m.

Charlotte County emergency management officials provided updates on Hurricane Irma:

4:15 p.m. 

WINK News Meteorologist Brooke Silverang answered questions on the WINK News Facebook page. 

4:10 p.m.

Lee County emergency management officials provided updates on Hurricane Irma:

3:45 p.m.

Water service in Englewood will remain on after 5 p.m., the Charlotte County Emergency Operations Center said, clarifying an earlier update.

Manasota Key, Knight Island and customers of Bocilla Utilities will still see their water shut off at 5 p.m. Sewer service to Manasota Key will be shut down approximately two or three hours later.

3:30 p.m.

WINK News reporter John-Carlos Estrada has more from Clewiston: