Riders on the storm - getting through Hurricane Irma

Many people got out of Florida ahead of Hurricane Irma. But others decided to say.

Jason Jonas, Key West
"We're 30 plus feet above sea level and in a place that's built to withstand [360km/h] winds. That's a better chance than being exposed out on the highway in traffic trying to make it to Georgia."

Jeff Beerbohm, Tampa
"As usual, the weathermen, I don't know why they're paid. For five days, we were told it was going to be on the east coast, and then 24 hours before it hits, we're now told it's coming up the west coast."

Bob Buckhorn, the Mayor of Tampa
"Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face. Well, we're about to get punched in the face. We are about to find out what hell looks like."

Ostar Reyes, Fort Lauderdale
"This [a hotel] seemed as safe a place to come as any, I've never seen anything like this."

Kim Sylar, Key West
"It's a little like the Titanic right now."

Eileen Jirak, Estero
"It's like hell in there [a shelter] and people keep coming. At home, at least I won't go out of my mind sitting up in those bleachers."

Sally Carlson, St Petersburg
"I've been here with other storms, other hurricanes. But this one scares me. Let's just say a prayer we hope we make it through."

Eileen Car, Estero
"This [being in a shelter] is a disaster. I'll never do this again. I'd rather drown."

'SWIMMING POOL UNDER WATER'

John Huston, Key Largo

Huston is riding out the storm in his house, where he's lived since 1993. His neighbourhood is on the Atlantic side of the island, just south of John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. He's been sharing his experience via text message with AP.
His unedited dispatches:

7.23 am: Its blowing with gusts up to about 90. Water level is higher today. Incredible wind that wont stop
9 am: My street is 3ft deep.
9.04 am: Swimming pool under water
9.38 am: My ground slab is 5.5 ft above mean high tide and its 1 foot under
11.05 am: 100 mph gusts. Small boats floating down the street next to furniture and refrigerators. Very noisy. I got 4 cars all underwater n still 1.5 hrs till hi tide. Shingles are coming off n minor leaks in the house. Im 76 miles from the eye. I feel sorry for them
11.13 am: Getting worse. Water n winds, whiteout
12.44 pm: Still whiteout, 100 plus. Roof is leaking on spots.
12.45 pm: Send cold beer. LOL
12.47 pm: Wind has shifted from the south some n water droped 3 inches. They say the gulf side of largo is dry. Its normally 8 ft deep.
12.47 pm: Im on the ocean side.
12.49 pm: Got water dripping from my paddle fans
12.53 pm: Tide is going out now so it should drop a foot or two.
6.04 pm: Getting nice now. Maybe 40 mph. What a mess.
6.07 pm: Main structures look ok. Just the ground levels are a mess.

A floundered boat is shown at the Haulover Marine Centre at Haulover Park as Hurricane Irma passes by in North Miami Beach, Florida. Photo / AP

- additional reporting AP