by Mia Taylor
Last updated: 8:57 PM ET, Wed September 6, 2017
As Hurricane Irma barrels toward Florida, after having left a path of destruction in the Caribbean, two more hurricanes have emerged over the North Atlantic.
Tropical storms Katia and Jose intensified Wednesday afternoon and were designated hurricanes by the National Hurricane Center.
Jose is still in the Atlantic, about 1,000 miles east of the Lesser Antilles and is moving west-northwest at about 15 to 20 miles per hour, The Weather Channel reported. There is potential for the Category 1 hurricane to continue to strengthen over the next few days, reaching major hurricane status with winds of up to 130 miles per hour or more.
Jose's path may take it just north of the Leeward Islands, less than one week after Hurricane Irma battered the same area.
Hurricane Katia, located in the Gulf of Mexico, is expected to bring with it about five to ten inches of rainfall in the northern Veracruz region of Mexico and in some cases as much as 15 inches of rain, according to an advisory issued by NHC. The rainfall may cause life-threatening flash floods and mudslides throughout the area, particularly in mountainous regions.
This is the first time since 2010 that three active hurricanes have been in the Atlantic basin, reports CNN Weather.
Meanwhile, Irma, a category 5 hurricane, is already the strongest storm ever recorded in the Atlantic basin, with winds of up to 185 miles per hour. Irma has grown so strong, it's even showing up on scales reserved for measuring earthquakes, said Newsweek.
The Category 5 hurricane hit the Caribbean island of Barbuda on Wednesday and then made landfall on the islands of St. Martin and St Barthélemy before moving on to the Virgin Islands.
[READMORE]READ MORE: Are Airlines Really Price-Gouging Before Irma? [/READMORE]
Next in its path are Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic, Haiti, Cuba and the Bahamas. The hurricane is projected to hit Florida over the weekend.
Three deaths in the Caribbean have already been attributed to Irma, according to CNN, and the Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, Gaston Browne, described the hurricane damage there as unprecedented. He estimated about $150 million in damage.
In preparation for the storm's potential landfall, Florida Governor Rick Scott has declared a state of emergency and summoned all 7,000 of the state's National Guards to standby Friday for assistance. The governors of George and South Carolina have also signed executive orders declaring a state of emergency in their states.
More Hurricane Irma Coverage
Airlines
As a result of the major storm, airlines in Florida and throughout the Caribbean are watching the warnings from the National Hurricane Center in order to keep passengers safe through delays and cancellations. Plus, read TravelPulse's thoughts on accusations of airline price gouging.
Cruise Itineraries
For cruise passengers wondering if their voyages have been impacted, all major cruise lines with itineraries in the Caribbean have modified schedules and/or canceled cruises.
Travel Insurance
Wondering if your travel insurance will cover you in the case of Hurricane Irma? TravelPulse has all the information you need.
Theme Parks
What you need to know if you have a Florida theme park vacation planned during Hurricane Irma.
Mark Murphy Talks Irma
President and CEO of travAlliancemedia Mark Murphy was a guest on FOX 29 Philadelphia Wednesday and provided travelers with some helpful insight regarding what to expect and how to prepare for a storm as massive as the category five Hurricane Irma.
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