PHOTOS: Irma floods Florida, Georgia coast after hitting Caribbean

(AP/WOFL) - (AP) -- Hurricane Irma blasted a string of Caribbean islands, leaving battered homes and stripped trees in its wake. In Haiti, water rose to people's knees on Friday.

European nations sent help to several islands, with soldiers and sailors bringing much-needed water and food.

The nearly 400-mile-wide Hurricane Irma roared into the mostly cleared-out Florida Keys and then began a slow march up the state's west coast on Sunday.

A storm surge of more than 10 feet of water was recorded in part of the Keys, and similar flooding was expected on the mainland.

Many streets were underwater in downtown Miami and other cities. Appliances and furniture were seen floating away in the low-lying Keys.

Despite being downgraded to a tropical storm, Irma still caused substantial damage Monday, as record flooding hit northeastern Florida.

Irma then continued its wrath north, crossing into Georgia with winds of 60 mph (97 kph) and producing storm surges along the Georgia and South Carolina coasts.

In South Florida, those who had sought shelter began to venture out and survey the damage.

Officials say about 6.5 million Floridians have been left without power, while more than 800,000 people in Georgia were also without electricity.

A tropical storm warning was issued for the first time ever in Atlanta, where hundreds of flights were canceled because of the storm.