Storm, of 'nuclear' ferocity, has churned along a path through the Lesser Antilles and Puerto Rico, and towards the Dominican Republic, Haiti and Cuba. A UK holidaymaker in the Caribbean islands has tweeted of the “apocalyptic” power and noise of Hurricane Irma as he hid in a concrete stairwell.

Video footage here...

Please offer this prayer of protection...
God, our Father, 
Eternal and Omnipotent,
Creator and Lord of the Universe,
you have set the earth on its foundation
and all elements of nature obey your command. You give food to all flesh,
cover the heavens with clouds,
and provide rain to the earth ─
We humbly beseech you
Lord, Most High,
to keep us safe from all dangers
and to calm all the storms of life that threaten us:
especially the attack of whirlwinds and tornadoes,
the calamity and destruction of hurricanes,
the din and damage of hail storms,
the striking of thunderbolts and lightning,
and the devastation of floods and tidal waves.

May we be secure in your loving protection,
seek your Will in all our experiences,
and serve you always with grateful hearts.
We ask this through our Lord, Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.

Amen.