The US president waived US federal restrictions on foreign ships' transport of cargo to hurricane-ravaged Puerto Rico.

Hurricane Maria has intensified into a "potentially catastrophic" category five storm as it continues on a collision course with Caribbean islands already battered by Irma.

British overseas territories in the Caribbean face being lashed by another major hurricane as they attempt to recover from the deadly devastation unleashed by Irma.

Parts of Florida are inching back towards normality with workers restoring power, clearing roads and replenishing fuel supplies, even as teams scour the southernmost islands and authorities warn of mass devastation.

US stocks rallied to record highs as Hurricane Irma weakened without causing as much damage as many had feared, and a North Korean holiday passed without new missile launches.

Shares in insurers jumped in markets from Europe to Florida amid signs that predictions about Hurricane Irma’s damage were excessively dire.

A weakened but still dangerous Irma - downgraded to a tropical storm over Florida but still packing winds near hurricane force - has pushed inland as winds and floodwaters created hazards for rescuers.

Hurricane Irma is showing signs of weakening and could be downgraded to a tropical storm on Monday.

Hurricane Irma has pummelled Florida, packing winds up to 130mph, swamping homes and boats, knocking out power to millions and toppling massive construction cranes over the Miami skyline.

You might think that in a contest between being a bit embarrassed on the one hand and saving your life on the other, saving your life is always going to be the winner, writes Terry Prone.

THE scale of the destruction caused by Hurricane Irma, following so quickly on the heels of Hurricane Harvey, is startling. 

Here is a look at the impact of Hurricane Irma on individual countries and territories in the Caribbean as of tonight:

Relief efforts are under way on islands devastated by Hurricane Irma, as a second "extremely dangerous" storm threatens the Caribbean.

The Turks and Caicos Islands have been "pummelled" overnight by Hurricane Irma as winds of up to 175mph left death and destruction in the Atlantic.

Experts say the city of Houston has sunk by two centimetres due to the amount of rain that fell during Hurricane Harvey.

Hurricane Jose has been upgraded to a category 3 hurricane, and it is heading for the Leeward Islands in the Caribbean.

Latest: Georgia has become the latest U.S state to be placed on hurricane alert.

Heavy rain and 185 mph winds lashed the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico's north-east coast on Wednesday as Hurricane Irma roared through Caribbean islands on its way to a possible hit on South Florida.

Authorities in Houston have warned residents affected by Hurricane Harvey more flooding is likely.

LEGENDARY disc jockey Larry Gogan will receive a lifetime achievement award at the Burlington Hotel in Dublin tonight.