Credit union CEOs are heeding the dire warnings of Floridaofficials who have emphatically described Irma as a “nuclear”hurricane that is expected to bring life-threatening winds, stormsurges and torrential rains to south Florida early Sundaymorning.

The three credit unions in Key West, Monroe County Teachers FCU,Keys FCU and Southernmost FCU, closed their shops on Wednesdaywhile at least a dozen more cooperatives are closing branches,drive-thrus and offices early today or Friday.

A few credit unions have already announced that they do notexpect to reopen until Tuesday, September 12.But credit unions may be forced to keep their doors closed forlonger if Hurricane Irma's wrath is as bad as weather officials saythat it can be. Nonetheless, many credit unions are expectedto continue member services through online and mobile channels,ATMs and shared branches.