A forecast map for Hurricane Irma as of Thursday morning. Photo: National Hurricane Center.

JNS.org – Israel’s Foreign Ministry issued a warning to Israelis residing in areas expected to be hit by Hurricane Irma, and evacuated its diplomats from the region, as the massive storm approached the East Coast of the US.

Irma — a Category 5 storm — is the strongest Atlantic hurricane in history, with estimated wind speeds of 185 miles per hour. It comes on the heels of Hurricane Harvey, which recently wreaked havoc in Texas, including severe damage for Jewish families and institutions in Houston.

Hurricane Irma is expected to make landfall in Florida this weekend, prompting Governor Rick Scott to declare a state of emergency and issue an evacuation order for the Florida Keys.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry said it “recommends that Israelis who are in the hurricane’s path comply with the instructions of the competent authorities in the area regarding evacuation, necessary equipment and places of refuge.” The ministry evacuated its regional staff of four diplomats, with their families, from the Israeli Consulate in Miami and relocated them to Atlanta.