DAREDEVILS risked their lives by taking SELFIES as deadly Hurricane Irma smashed into the Florida Keys - where it claimed its first US victims.

Thrillseekers were spotted on beaches taking photos despite the 130mph eye of the storm sending seawater gushing through the streets.

11 Daredevils have been taking selfies in Florida despite Hurricane Irma causing mass devastation Credit: Rex Features

11 Storm clouds raged overheard as locals took to the beach to get a perfect shot Credit: Rex Features

11 Tornado-like spouts have been spotted in the skies above Florida but it didn't stop thrillseekers Credit: Rex Features

11 Forecasters have warned of storm surges as high as 15 feet Credit: Rex Features

11 The storm has already claimed its first victim Credit: EPA

11 Devastating gales and catastrophic flooding is forecast Credit: Rex Features

11 Satellite image shows the eye of Hurricane Irma passing near the Florida Keys Credit: AFP or licensors

Foreboding storm clouds could be seen darkening the skies overhead as the dopey locals posed up to get the perfect Hurricane Irma snap.

Some daring Floridians were even seen wading into the sea despite forecasters warning of storm surges as high as 15 feet (4.5 meters).

Almost the entire state of Florida is now under a hurricane warning with fears of devastating gales, torrents of rain and a life-threatening storm surges.

Irma today claimed its first Florida victim when a man was killed in pickup truck crash caused by the appalling weather conditions.

The state has since confirmed to more deaths.

Pictures taken by terrified locals caught up in the midst of Irma reveal the low-lying Keys being buffeted by winds and heavy rain.

Earlier, 6.4 million people had been told to run for their lives as the killer winds approached.

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The US National Weather Service (NWS) had warned the area would start to feel the full brunt of Irma at about 7am (12 noon UK time).

In a tweet, they warned "the worst is yet to come" - urging those exposed to the category four storm to stay indoors, hunker down away from windows, and to use "whatever you have to try and protect yourself from flying debris".

Irma's outer rain bands first lashed the Florida Keys on Saturday night as the massive storm slowly began turning from Cuba's northern coast up into the Florida Strait.

11 A local tests the strength of the storm as almost the entire state of Florida is now under hurricane warning Credit: Rex Features

11 Devastating winds, heavy rain and huge waves will batter Florida Credit: Rex Features

11 A youngster stands by the sea in Florida as Hurricane Irma smashes into the state Credit: Rex Features

11 A tornado warning has now been issued over Wellington, Florida Credit: Alamy Live News

Hurricane-strength winds of 74 mph reached Key West in the early hours of this morning UK time, the National Weather Service said.

The leading edge of the immense storm bent palm trees and spat torrents of rain across South Florida, knocking out power to more than 170,000 homes and businesses, as the eye approached Key West.

Devastating winds, heavy rain and huge waves will batter the Sunshine State as it braces itself for its "most catastrophic storm ever".

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