if we go north to fort lauderdale, that's where we find nbc's phillip menna. i understand you are seeing some flooding where you are? >> absolutely. this used to be a parking lot when we started earlier this morning. and now you can see the water is almost up to my knees. it's high shin right now. so all the cars we see here are now threatened as the rain and wind is starting to intensify, we are 200 miles north of the florida keys and this is what we're feeling. we're 7, 8 miles inland from the beach on the east. so we are not really close at all to the beach and we're still feeling these winds and 200 miles of where all of the eye of the storm is. so that gives you an idea of how widespread this is and how powerful some of these bands how quickly the rain can drop. >> thank you, phillip very much. the situation deteriorating there. irma is 50 miles off of key west. so it still has a way to go until it gets to fort lauderdale. we've been watching in naples, florida kerry sanders was on the peer. he's moved out. where are you? >> i'm underneath the peeier. i w

nbc's phillip menna stand big in front of one of those gas stations in hollywood, florida, for us. phillip. good morning. we are at a gas station, as you mentioned, about a block away from the beach. we are in hollywood, there are, in broward county. we haven't seen much activity here. with the exception of vehicles and employees here, there hasn't been much activity. and that's thanks in part to the mandatory evacuation. but just a few minutes ago, we saw the first person we had seen in hours and i want to talk to her. edith white. we know there's no more gas here. there's hardly any supplies. what brings you out here at this hour? >> well, i've been playing the lotto for same years, same numbers, so -- >> the lottery brought you out. >> yes. >> you must be feeling lucky if you are going to stay here in a major hurricane. >> well, i have faith, first of all, and a responsibility to the people who depend on me. so with that, i'm staying here and being prudent with safety, the shutters are closed, proper food and water .that kind of thing is in place because i don't want to become a