(CNN) Floridians began a mass exodus on Thursday as Hurricane Irma , the powerful Category 5 storm, plowed through the Caribbean toward the Sunshine State. If they wait until Saturday or Sunday, when high winds and rain are expected to lash south Florida, it will be too late. An evacuation could lead to mileslong gridlock, as happened with attempted mass evacuations during Hurricane Floyd in 1999 and Hurricane Rita in 2005. Houston experienced that firsthand during Hurricane Rita in 2005, when officials issued mass evacuation orders. However, American Airlines said it will wind down operations Friday afternoon at its Miami hub as well as other south Florida cities.

Source: CNN September 08, 2017 01:03 UTC