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| Hurricane Matthew: Heavy rains and winds in Florida | Hurricane Matthew: Heavy rains and winds in Florida |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Heavy rains and winds caused by Hurricane Matthew have hit Florida, where thousands of people are without power, officials say. | Heavy rains and winds caused by Hurricane Matthew have hit Florida, where thousands of people are without power, officials say. |
| Matthew has been downgraded to a Category Three storm, with winds of up to 120 mph (195 km/h). | |
| The storm could be the most powerful to strike northeast Florida in 118 years, the US National Hurricane Center said. | The storm could be the most powerful to strike northeast Florida in 118 years, the US National Hurricane Center said. |
| In Haiti, where Matthew devastated coastal villages and towns, the death toll has surpassed 300. | In Haiti, where Matthew devastated coastal villages and towns, the death toll has surpassed 300. |
| At 04:00 local time (08:00 GMT) Matthew was still off the Florida coast, centred about 45 miles east of Melbourne and was moving north-west at about 14mph, the National Hurricane Center said. | |
| Florida Governor Rick Scott said there could be "catastrophic" damage if Matthew slammed directly into the state. He urged some 1.5 million people there to evacuate. | |
| "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." |
| More than 140,000 homes were without power, he added. | More than 140,000 homes were without power, he added. |
| States of emergency were 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 were 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. |
| 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. |
| Florida's history of hurricanes | Florida's history of hurricanes |
| In many areas on Thursday, cars queued for fuel and residents stocked up on food and hardware supplies to board up their houses, local reports said. | In many areas on Thursday, 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 were closed. | Schools, universities and government offices in some areas were closed. |
| In South Carolina, lanes on some highways were reversed so vehicles could head west away from the storm. | In South Carolina, lanes on some highways were reversed so vehicles could head west away from the storm. |
| 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. |
| Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. Please stay safe. You can also contact us in the following ways: | Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. Please stay safe. You can also contact us in the following ways: |
| Or use the form below | Or use the form below |