Canadians are privy to so much information about our southern neighbours. It’s unfortunate that most often it’s the bad that overwhelms us when we think of the United States.

MIAMI – A weakened Hurricane Irma churned in Florida after ripping through southern portions of the state and the Caribbean islands, flooding cities, knocking out power to millions, destroying homes and businesses and killing more than 20 people.

Catholic Register  reporter Mickey Conlon is among many thousands Florida residents and visitors who have been evacuated and are riding out Hurricane Irma in shelters across the state. Read his first-hand accounts throughout the weekend.

PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti - Hurricane Irma cut a deadly path through the Caribbean, leveling entire islands as it moved toward Florida Sept. 7, while Haiti prepared for a potential disaster.

ABOARD THE PAPAL FLIGHT TO COLOMBIA – Flying to Colombia, with a flight plan changed to avoid Hurricane Irma in the Caribbean Sea, Pope Francis told reporters that Colombia and its neighbor, Venezuela, were in his prayers.