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Hurricane Matthew: Heavy rains and winds in Florida Hurricane Matthew: 'Big bad beast' storm strafes Florida
(35 minutes later)
Heavy rains and winds caused by Hurricane Matthew have hit Florida, where more than 400,000 people are without power, officials say. Hurricane Matthew is strafing the coast of Florida, where it has left more than 420,000 people without power.
Matthew has been downgraded to a Category Three storm, with winds of up to 120 mph (195 km/h). The system, which has not yet made landfall in the US, has been downgraded to a Category Three, 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. But it could still be the most powerful storm to hit northeast Florida in 118 years, according to the US National Hurricane Center.
In Haiti, where Matthew devastated coastal villages and towns, the death toll has surpassed 300. In Haiti, the death toll left in the wake of Matthew has surpassed 300.
At 08:00 local time (12:00 GMT) Matthew was still off the Florida coast, centred about 35 miles north-east of Cape Canaveral and moving north-west at about 13mph, the National Hurricane Center said. At 08:00 local time (12:00 GMT) Matthew was off the Florida coast, about 45 miles east of Daytona Beach and moving north-west at about 13mph, 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. At the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, NASA's shuttle fleet is now retired, but the space company SpaceX is anxious that the storm could damage its seaside launch pad.
"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." Florida Governor Rick Scott said on Friday morning it was a "blessing" the state had so far been spared a direct hit.
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. But there are fears the storm's winds could fuel a wave of seawater that might wash over coastal communities along a 500-mile stretch from South Florida to Charleston, South Carolina.
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. Forecasters said Matthew could dump up to 15in of rain and cause a storm surge of 9ft or more.
The World Meteorological Organisation, which is the UN's weather agency, warned that the hurricane would remain dangerous regardless of whether it makes landfall.
Spokeswoman Clare Nullis told the BBC: "Matthew is a very big and very bad beast. And it's not going to go away in the next couple of days."
Some two million people have been advised to evacuate across coastal areas of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina.
Brevard County Emergency Operations spokesman David Waters said he heard from one family on Merritt Island whose home just had its roof ripped off.
Some callers have said: "We're scared. We wish we hadn't stayed."
Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld - the famed theme parks in Orlando, Florida - are all closed.
Fort Lauderdale and Orlando airports have shut, and airlines have cancelled more than 3,000 flights.
Amtrak suspended train services between Miami and New York, while cruise lines have rerouted ships to avoid the storm, meaning days longer at sea for some passengers.But those who refused to leave central Florida's Atlantic coast are now calling emergency services for help as the storm's western eyewall brushes Cape Canaveral.
Florida's history of hurricanesFlorida's history of hurricanes
Thousands of people have hunkered down in schools converted to shelters.
Patients have been transferred to safer locations from two waterfront hospitals and a nursing home near Daytona Beach, Florida.
States of emergency have been declared in four southern states, allowing the National Guard to be deployed.
President Obama declared a state of emergency for Florida and South Carolina, allowing federal emergency teams to be sent.
After Florida, forecasters said Matthew would probably hug the coast of Georgia and South Carolina over the weekend before spinning out to sea.
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.
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.
North Carolina could also be affected as the storm marches north.
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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