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Hurricane Matthew: Strongest storm since 2004 nears Florida Hurricane Matthew: Strongest storm since 2004 nears Florida
(about 1 hour later)
Hurricane Matthew has strengthened as it nears a "direct hit" with Florida, and is set to be the strongest storm in the United States for 12 years.Hurricane Matthew has strengthened as it nears a "direct hit" with Florida, and is set to be the strongest storm in the United States for 12 years.
The hurricane has pounded the Bahamas after devastating parts of Haiti.The hurricane has pounded the Bahamas after devastating parts of Haiti.
Damage could be "catastrophic", Florida's governor said. More than two million people have evacuated.Damage could be "catastrophic", Florida's governor said. More than two million people have evacuated.
Matthew, with winds of 125mph (205km/h), is expected to hit southern Florida early on Friday as a Category Four storm, officials say.Matthew, with winds of 125mph (205km/h), is expected to hit southern Florida early on Friday as a Category Four storm, officials say.
At least 108 people have been killed in Haiti and thousands displaced. The storm has forced the presidential election there to be postponed. At least 264 people have been killed in Haiti and thousands displaced. The storm has forced the presidential election there to be postponed.
Follow our latest updates hereFollow our latest updates here
Four people were also killed in the neighbouring Dominican Republic.Four people were also killed in the neighbouring Dominican Republic.
As of 20:00 GMT, the storm was passing over the far west of the Bahamas, having battered the capital, Nassau. All air and sea traffic has been halted and people urged to move to higher ground because of storm surges.As of 20:00 GMT, the storm was passing over the far west of the Bahamas, having battered the capital, Nassau. All air and sea traffic has been halted and people urged to move to higher ground because of storm surges.
The latest from FloridaThe latest from Florida
Hurricane Matthew has been upgraded into a Category Four storm, the second-highest classification.Hurricane Matthew has been upgraded into a Category Four storm, the second-highest classification.
It is expected "move very close" to the east coast of the Florida peninsula in the next twelve hours, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.It is expected "move very close" to the east coast of the Florida peninsula in the next twelve hours, the US National Hurricane Center (NHC) said.
States of emergency have already been declared in four southern states, allowing the National Guard to be deployed. On Thursday afternoon, President Obama declared a state of emergency for Florida and South Carolina, allowing federal emergency teams to be sent.States of emergency have already been declared in four southern states, allowing the National Guard to be deployed. On Thursday afternoon, President Obama declared a state of emergency for Florida and South Carolina, allowing federal emergency teams to be sent.
Matthew could be the first Category Four storm to make landfall in the United States since Charley in August 2004, that caused $14bn (£11bn) in southern states.Matthew could be the first Category Four storm to make landfall in the United States since Charley in August 2004, that caused $14bn (£11bn) in southern states.
"There are no excuses, you need to leave," Florida Governor Rick Scott warned everyone in evacuation zones."There are no excuses, you need to leave," Florida Governor Rick Scott warned everyone in evacuation zones.
"If you're reluctant to evacuate, just think of all the people this storm has already killed. You and your family could be among these numbers if you don't take this seriously.""If you're reluctant to evacuate, just think of all the people this storm has already killed. You and your family could be among these numbers if you don't take this seriously."
"Everyone in our state must prepare now for a direct hit," Governor Scott told reporters."Everyone in our state must prepare now for a direct hit," Governor Scott told reporters.
"If Matthew directly impacts Florida, the destruction could be catastrophic and you need to be prepared.""If Matthew directly impacts Florida, the destruction could be catastrophic and you need to be prepared."
Some two million people have been advised to evacuate across coastal areas of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. North Carolina could also be affected as the storm moves north.Some two million people have been advised to evacuate across coastal areas of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina. North Carolina could also be affected as the storm moves north.
The NHC warned that coastal waters in parts of Florida could rise by up to 11 feet (3.35 metres) because of a storm surge - when ocean surface water rises as a result of high winds, and is pushed on to coastal areas.The NHC warned that coastal waters in parts of Florida could rise by up to 11 feet (3.35 metres) because of a storm surge - when ocean surface water rises as a result of high winds, and is pushed on to coastal areas.
Florida's history of hurricanesFlorida's history of hurricanes
In many areas, cars queued for fuel and residents stocked up on food and hardware supplies to board up their houses, local reports said.In many areas, cars queued for fuel and residents stocked up on food and hardware supplies to board up their houses, local reports said.
Schools, universities and government offices in some areas are closed. About 90% of flights coming through Miami's airports were cancelled by mid-morning, airport officials said, with other airports also affected.Schools, universities and government offices in some areas are closed. About 90% of flights coming through Miami's airports were cancelled by mid-morning, airport officials said, with other airports also affected.
In South Carolina, lanes on some highways have been reversed so vehicles can head west away from the storm.In South Carolina, lanes on some highways have been reversed so vehicles can head west away from the storm.
The latest from HaitiThe latest from Haiti
In Haiti, meanwhile, rescue workers are struggling to reach areas cut off by the storm.In Haiti, meanwhile, rescue workers are struggling to reach areas cut off by the storm.
Officials said they were not yet in a position to gauge the true extent of the damage - particularly in the Grand Anse area, which was directly in the storm's path.Officials said they were not yet in a position to gauge the true extent of the damage - particularly in the Grand Anse area, which was directly in the storm's path.
A key bridge had been destroyed, roads were impassable and phone communications were down, officials said.A key bridge had been destroyed, roads were impassable and phone communications were down, officials said.
Mourad Wahba, the UN special representative for Haiti, said at least 10,000 people were in shelters and hospitals were overflowing.Mourad Wahba, the UN special representative for Haiti, said at least 10,000 people were in shelters and hospitals were overflowing.
At the scene: Tony Brown, BBC News, HaitiAt the scene: Tony Brown, BBC News, Haiti
We only began to see the real destructive force of Hurricane Matthew once we moved towards the south-west of the country.We only began to see the real destructive force of Hurricane Matthew once we moved towards the south-west of the country.
Trees fallen, banana crops uprooted and flattened, houses under water and men and women trying to get the debris out of the way.Trees fallen, banana crops uprooted and flattened, houses under water and men and women trying to get the debris out of the way.
It was noticeable how the people we passed were coping alone. There were no army or police around to help. Even the aid agencies are struggling to move around this damaged corner of the country.It was noticeable how the people we passed were coping alone. There were no army or police around to help. Even the aid agencies are struggling to move around this damaged corner of the country.
Read moreRead more
"It's not looking good," said Jean Claude Fignole, programme director in Haiti for the aid agency Oxfam."It's not looking good," said Jean Claude Fignole, programme director in Haiti for the aid agency Oxfam.
"We're getting reports out of the southwest of Haiti... reports of schools that have been completely destroyed, many homes that have been destroyed.""We're getting reports out of the southwest of Haiti... reports of schools that have been completely destroyed, many homes that have been destroyed."
Matthew is the region's most powerful hurricane since Felix in 2007.Matthew is the region's most powerful hurricane since Felix in 2007.
Have you been affected by Hurricane Matthew? Are you preparing for its arrival in Florida, Georgia and North and South Carolina? Only if it safe to do so, you can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.Have you been affected by Hurricane Matthew? Are you preparing for its arrival in Florida, Georgia and North and South Carolina? Only if it safe to do so, you can share your experience by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.
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