On Tuesday, September 5 hurricane Irma was given the fifth hazard category, classified as dangerous (catastrophic) at a degree 5 out of 5 possible on the Saffire-Simpson scale, the National Center US of Hurricane Tracking reported. The speed of wind increased to 280km/h. It is projected that Irma could be even more destructive than the hurricane Harvey was two weeks ago.
If Irma is to follow a direction along the coast to the north (the projected version is presented on the Weather Channel), it will be a very unpleasant event, as Texas and Louisiana have still not fully recovered from the ravages of hurricane Harvey. In connection with the approaching hurricane Irma, the United States will mobilize in Florida 7,000 soldiers of the National Guard.
About two-thirds of the citrus culture of Florida is located in the lower part of the peninsula. Futures for frozen concentrated orange juice in New York already grew last week amid speculation of the damages the storm may cause, although prices have fallen by almost 30 percent since January. The government of Puerto Rico has already provided $15 million for the elimination of the consequences of the disaster. Florida governor Rick Scott imposed a state of emergency on the territory of all counties of the state. People there are already buying everything they need to evacuate.
Against the backdrop of possible destruction, we can assume an instability and a possible weakening of the dollar against the major currencies over a couple of weeks.
If, however, the worst forecast is justified, then in order to eliminate the consequences of the hurricane the United States government will also need to spend tens of billions of dollars, which would push the dollar to its next fall.