WATCH: Winds of up to 180 mph batter the Caribbean as Hurricane Irma unleashes its full force

At least three people have been reported dead as a result of weather conditions brought on by Hurricane Irma.

A number of Caribbean islands have been battered by winds of up to 180 mph from Hurricane Irma, one of the most powerful storms the Atlantic Ocean has ever seen. According to CNN, at least three people have been reported dead as strong winds and torrential rain hit islands such as Barbuda, St. Martin and the British Virgin Islands in the northeast Caribbean, with Florida potentially under threat from the hurricane over the weekend. Three hurricanes are currently active in the Atlantic Ocean – Irma, Katia and Jose – for the first time since 2010, with Hurricane Irma in particular making a devastating impact less than a fortnight after Hurricane Harvey wreaked havoc in the United States. Footage recorded in St. Thomas (see clips below) shows the impact of winds well in excess of 100mph on Wednesday afternoon; Irma has maintained intensity in excess of 180mph longer than any other storm in the history of the Atlantic basin.