There's a lot of focus on the news about the US but many of the islands currently being hit and those in the direct path are being largely ignored in comparison. By the time the storm hits the US it will be significantly weaker (but obviously could potentially still cause alot of damage and disruption), however there's people right now on the islands who's stories are not being shared to the same degree as news outlets worrying about how things will be when it reaches the US.
I have a buddy in Cuba right now, at the very mid-north of the island at one of the smaller islands who's currently stuck there. He's waiting to hear from Thomson in the UK (holiday provider) who is currently saying nothing. Other holiday providers have started evacuations but the last he's heard was yesterday Thomson sent a letter telling people to expect strong winds and rain but to stay at the hotel. Today however he's been told the hotel is closing in 3-4 hours yet they still haven't heard a peep from Thomson and their staff are nowhere to be found. The island has a single road connecting it to the mainland so it's safe to say that road will take a beating given the current path of Irma.
This was the letter he got yesterday :