Tens of thousands of evacuations were ordered across Florida state as Hurricane Michael continues to accelerate and strengthen in size.
Residents have been ordered to get out of the way of the powerful storm as it brings “life-threatening” winds, waves and rains to millions.
Hurricane and storm surge warnings are in effect for the US Gulf Coast stretching from Florida to the Mississippi/Alabama border.
Michael, currently a category 1 storm, is expected to make landfall as a category 3 hurricane when it hits the United States on Wednesday.
What hurricane warnings are in place?
A hurricane warning is in effect for the the Alabama/Florida border to Okaloosa/Walton County Line Florida, while hurricane watches have been issued from Florida up to the Mississippi/Alabama border.
Storm surges up to 3.6m high could lash between the Indian Pass and Cedar Key in Florida, NOAA said.
The agency’s National Hurricane Center (NHC) added “the threat for tornadoes will increase late tonight into Wednesday over parts of the Florida Panhandle, the northern Florida Peninsula, and southern Georgia”.
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Parts of Florida could be drenched with 30cm of rain in the worst-affected areas.
Heavy rainfall measuring between 10cm and 20cm could fall in the Florida Panhandle, Big Bend in southeast Alabama and southern Georgia.
Western Cuba has already been pounded by heavy rain from Hurricane Michael as the storm intensified in recent hours, with warnings of flash floods and mudslides to come.
Where is Hurricane Michael now?
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In its latest update, NOAA said: “On the forecast track, the center of Michael will continue to move over the southern Gulf of Mexico this morning, then move across the eastern Gulf of Mexico later today and tonight.
“The center of Michael is expected to move inland over the Florida Panhandle or Florida Big Bend area on Wednesday, and then move northeastward across the southeastern United States Wednesday night and Thursday.”
Florida Governor Rick Scott said he had mobilised 100 National Guard troops in preparation for the massive storm.
He tweeted: “These brave law enforcement officers will help save lives – we cannot thank them enough.”