Hurricane Irma smashed into Florida as a category 4 storm on Sunday, leaving more than 1.4m properties without power as 130mph winds and sea surges left homes in the Keys, a string of low-lying islands on the state’s southernmost tip, under water.

Further north, Miami residents awoke to find they had dodged the most dangerous part of the storm after its track shifted west and focused much of the danger on Tampa and St Petersburg. But downtown Miami streets were flooded, “Stop” signs twisted in 70mph winds, cranes toppled over and flying debris smashed into homes and buildings.

Earlier on Sunday Cuba, which prides itself on disaster management, was dealing with heavy flooding in Havana after 35ft waves battered seafront hotels and severely damaged tourist areas in the north. At least 25 people have been killed across the Caribbean.