Now a topical storm, Irma’s winds continue to have hurricane-like effect in Florida

A weakened but still dangerous Irma pushed inland today as it hammered Florida with winds and floodwaters that created hazards even for rescuers trying to help beleaguered residents.

Irma was downgraded to a tropical storm over Florida, but it still had winds near hurricane force. Its outer bands were also blowing into Georgia, where the storm’s center was expected to arrive later in the day. With rough conditions persisting across Florida, many communities in Irma’s wake feared what destruction would be revealed as daylight allowed authorities to canvass neighborhoods.

Winds knocked a utility pole and power lines onto a sheriff’s cruiser late yesterday in Polk County east of Tampa, illustrating the dangerous conditions for emergency personnel.

A deputy and a paramedic, who had just escorted an elderly patient to safety, were trapped for two hours until a crew could free them. Both were unhurt.

And more than 120 homes were being evacuated early today in Orange County, just outside the city of Orlando, as floodwaters started to pour in.

Firefighters and the National Guard were going door-to- door and using boats to ferry families to safety. A few miles away, 30 others had to be evacuated when a 60-foot sinkhole opened up under an apartment …read more