Hurricane Irma pummels Florida; at least 3 dead including sheriff"s deputy

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Hurricane Irma is pummeling Florida with powerful winds and rain after making landfall in the Florida Keys as a Category 4 storm this morning. The hurricane, which this afternoon was downgraded to a Category 3, has left at least three people dead in the state, including a sheriff's deputy, and over 1.5 million households and businesses without power.

In Miami, winds whipped around high-rise buildings at speeds approaching 100 mph, the National Weather Service said. A 94 mph wind gust was recorded at Miami International Airport.

A tower crane slammed by the high winds collapsed on top of a high-rise under construction in Miami this morning, city officials said.

PHOTO: Waves crash over a seawall at the mouth of the Miami River from Biscayne Bay, Fla., as Hurricane Irma passes by, Sept. 10, 2017, in Miami. (Wilfredo Lee/AP)

PHOTO: The rough waters where the Miami River meets Biscayne Bay shows the full effects of Hurricane Irma strike in Miami, Florida, Sept. 10, 2017. (Erik S. Lesser/EPA)

The Miami-Dade Police Department tweeted that its officers are sheltered for their safety and cannot respond to calls for help, warning residents, "DO NOT venture out!"

In Pembroke Pines north of Miami, a 109 mph wind gust was reported.

PHOTO: Recently planted palm trees lie strewn across the road as Hurricane Irma passes by, Sept. 10, 2017, in Miami Beach, Fla. (Wilfredo Lee/AP)

Irma this morning also brought wind gusts of 120 mph to the National Key Deer Refuge on the Florida Keys and 89 mph winds to Key West.

Florida Keys officials said today that residents who evacuated should not return until further notice.

By 11 a.m., the storm had moved away from the Keys and up toward Naples on Florida's west coast.

Irma is forecast to move up the western coastline of Florida this afternoon, with another landfall possible later today near Fort Myers and Naples, with winds of up to 115 mph expected this afternoon in the western part of Collier County.

At 2 p.m., Irma was 35 miles south of Naples.

Wind gusts of 75 mph were recorded at the Naples Airport early today, and officials were warning people to stay indoors and away from windows.

Some now sheltered in Naples had fled from the eastern side of Florida when it was first forecast that Irma would hit the eastern coastline. The mayor of Naples said those in hotels around the city are being ordered out of common areas and into their rooms.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott warned residents of dangerous storm surges that could reach 10 to 15 feet above sea level in the Naples area.

"Do not think the storm is over when the wind slows down," Scott said Saturday. The dangerous storm surge "will rush in and could kill you."

"You need to stay in a safe place," the governor said. "Be prepared, listen to local evacuation advisories."