by Donald Wood
Last updated: 12:04 PM ET, Tue September 12, 2017
Irma was downgraded once again Tuesday to a post-tropical cyclone, but the effects of the storm will still be felt in the Carolinas, Kentucky and Tennessee as the areas are expecting heavy rain and strong gusts of wind.
According to ABCNews.com, Irma carved a path of destruction through the Caribbean and Florida, leaving at least 48 people dead, thousands without homes and millions without power.
On Monday, Irma passed through northern Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, with winds gusting to 64 miles per hour in Atlanta, storm surges in Charleston reaching nearly 10 feet and widespread flooding throughout the Southeast.
The Florida Keys was one of the hardest-hit areas. It dealt with 130 mph winds and storm surges of 10 feet. Florida Governor Rick Scott said Irma left "devastation" on the region, but the state started allowing evacuees to return home Tuesday to assess the damage.
Winds reached 99 mph and flooding was a major issue for residents in Miami and the surrounding counties. Others in the Tampa Bay area dealt with 90 mph winds and heavy bands of rain that pelted the region.
While the storm has lost much of its power, airlines realize the devastation left behind and have continued to waive change fees. According to Yahoo, major carriers like Delta Air Lines and American Airlines have announced that the travel waivers cover airports in Florida, The Bahamas, Cuba, Puerto Rico and many facilities in the Southeast.
[READMORE]READ MORE: Irma's Effects Felt All the Way in Mexico[/READMORE]
Travelers and locals will be happy to know that the Walt Disney World Resort and Universal Orlando are scheduled to reopen Tuesday after closing Saturday, according to CNN Money.
A major concern for many was whether Hurricane Jose would also make landfall in areas impacted by Irma. Weather.com is reporting high surf and rip currents could impact parts of the East Coast and the northeast Caribbean.
Overall, Jose has weakened enough so it shouldn't be a major concern for the U.S., but meteorologists are still studying the storm's path to be safe.
More Hurricane Irma Coverage
A Tale of Survival from Barbuda
Take a look at this first-hand account of what it was like to endure the wrath of Hurricane Irma on the small island of Barbuda, which was almost completely destroyed by the storm.
Irma's Toll on Caribbean Life, Infrastructure and Tourism
travAlliancemedia Caribbean and Latin America executive editor Brian Major broke down the structural, financial and emotional destruction in the region left behind by Hurricane Irma in an in-depth feature. Also, read a report on rebuilding efforts as Caribbean islands start to pick up the pieces.
A Post-Irma Guide to Vacationing in the Caribbean
The Caribbean Tourism Organization has provided an island-by-island status report throughout the Caribbean.
FEMA
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is looking for reservists, who work on a "temporary, on call and intermittent basis" to help with ongoing recovery efforts.
Travel Insurance
Wondering if your travel insurance will cover you in the case of Hurricane Irma? TravelPulse has all the information you need.
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