Four deaths reported as Hurricane Irma rakes Caribbean, with Florida likely in crosshairs

FORT MYERS, Fla. - Floridians hit the highways, scrambled for scarce supplies and hammered plywood over windows as a monster hurricane made landfall in the Caribbean, where it was blamed for at least four deaths.

Hurricane Irma, one of the most powerful Atlantic hurricanes, set a wild, wind-churned course toward Puerto Rico, with the U.S. mainland in its sights, probably over the weekend.

Amid an overnight assault of battering waves and 185-mph winds, two deaths were reported in French island territories, a third in Anguilla, a British territory, and a fourth in Barbuda, part of a tiny independent nation.

In Florida, Gov. Rick Scott implored constituents to obey calls to flee the storm's path when the time came.

"I cannot stress this