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Florida Governor Rick Scott warned state residents that “this storm could kill you”
Powerful Hurricane Michael is set to make landfall in Florida later on Wednesday, forcing mass evacuations in the southern US state.
A category three storm with winds near 125mph (200km/h), Michael is expected to strengthen further when it comes ashore at about midday (16:00 GMT).
More than 370,000 people in Florida have been ordered to evacuate and move to higher ground.
Florida has declared a state of emergency, as have Alabama and Georgia.
At least 13 people have reportedly died in Central America due to the storm.
What are the latest developments?
In its bulletin, the Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC) said: “Some further strengthening is expected overnight and on Wednesday, and Michael is forecast to become a category four hurricane before it makes landfall.”
The NHC warns that some regions of Florida may experience storm surges of up to 12ft (4m).
It said that at 03:00 GMT on Wednesday, the eye of the storm was about 220 miles south-west of Panama City, Florida.
Michael is currently moving northwards at 12mph.
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Residents put plywood up in Port St Joe, Florida
“Weakening is expected after landfall as Michael moves across the south-eastern United States,” the NHC added.
Florida Governor Rick Scott called Michael “a monstrous storm” and urged residents to listen to officials.
“Let me be clear – the storm surge that our coastal counties are facing is deadly,” the governor tweeted.
“Do not ignore warnings from local officials – this storm could kill you. We can rebuild your house, we cannot rebuild your life.”
Despite the warnings, local officials believe a far smaller number of people have in fact moved away.
Schools and state offices in the area are to remain shut this week.
On Tuesday, Gov Scott said he had activated 2,500 Florida National Guard troops.
Heavy rains are forecast for the Carolinas, which were drenched by Hurricane Florence last month.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper told residents: “I know people are fatigued from Florence, but don’t let this storm catch you with your guard down.”
More than 300 miles of coastline are currently under threat, the National Weather Service has said.
Forecasters in Alabama warned of possible tornados.
President Donald Trump told reporters on Tuesday: “We are very well prepared for the incoming hurricane.”
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Residents face frightening ordeal
By BBC’s Gary O’Donoghue in Florida
Adrian Mahangos hopes he is one of the lucky ones.
Sitting outside his home, reading a magazine, less than 100 yards from the water’s edge in Wynnehaven, he knows Hurricane Michael is now due to make landfall 50 or 60 miles to his east.
Mr Mahangos is not going anywhere.
His house is 11ft above sea level, and if the 4ft-surge predicted for this part of the coast goes no higher, then he’s confident his newly-built home will survive.
Just an hour along the coast, it’s different.
The aptly named Lullwater Beach, just west of Panama City Beach, is quiet at the moment, but this whole stretch is looking a possible surge of up to 13ft.
A man in the distance is gathering sand from the beach while it’s still light, and pouring it into trash bags – making do with what’s at hand to protect from the water.
Local officials are warning that not nearly enough people have evacuated as they would wish.
Florida is used to storms, but the Panhandle, with its low-lying coastal strip and scattered communities, hasn’t seen anything this strong for more than a dozen years.
Those that remain will be facing a frightening ordeal.
Where has Hurricane Michael hit so far?
The storm caused widespread destruction in Central America over the weekend, where at least 13 people have been reported dead.
According to the Associated Press, six people were killed in Honduras, four in Nicaragua and three in El Salvador.
Images on social media showed evacuating families wading through water to get to safety.
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Western Cuba, including Havana, was struck by Hurricane Michael on Monday
Parts of western Cuba, which was hit by the storm on Monday, were forecast to receive up to a foot of rain.
Offshore oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico have evacuated workers, halting nearly a fifth of daily production.
Five drilling rigs have been moved out of the storm’s path, according to the US Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement.
Hurricanes
A guide to the world’s deadliest storms
Hurricanes are violent storms that can bring devastation to coastal areas, threatening lives, homes and businesses.
Hurricanes develop from thunderstorms, fuelled by warm, moist air as they cross sub-tropical waters.
Warm air rises into the storm.
Air swirls in to fill the low pressure in the storm, sucking air in and upwards, reinforcing the low pressure.
The storm rotates due to the spin of the earth and energy from the warm ocean increases wind speeds as it builds.
When winds reach 119km/h (74mph), it is known as a hurricane – in the Atlantic and Eastern Pacific – or a typhoon in the Western Pacific.
“Everybody has a plan until they get punched in the face. Well, we’re about to get punched in the face.”
Florida Mayor Bob Buckhorn, ahead of Hurricane Irma (2017)
The central eye of calmer weather is surrounded by a wall of rainstorms.
This eyewall has the fastest winds below it and violent currents of air rising through it.
A mound of water piles up below the eye which is unleashed as the storm reaches land.
These storm surges can cause more damage from flooding than the winds.
“Urgent warning about the rapid rise of water on the SW FL coast with the passage of #Irma’s eye. MOVE AWAY FROM THE WATER!”
Tweet from the National Hurricane Center
The size of hurricanes is mainly measured by the Saffir-Simpson scale – other scales are used in Asia Pacific and Australia.
Winds 119-153km/h
Some minor flooding, little structural damage.
Storm surge +1.2m-1.5m
Winds 154-177km/h
Roofs and trees could be damaged.
Storm surge +1.8m-2.4m
Winds 178-208km/h
Houses suffer damage, severe flooding
Storm surge +2.7m-3.7m
Hurricane Sandy (2012) caused $71bn damage in the Caribbean and New York
Winds 209-251km/h
Some roofs destroyed and major structural damage to houses.
Storm surge +4m-5.5m
Hurricane Ike (2008) hit Caribbean islands and Louisiana and was blamed for at least 195 deaths
Winds 252km/h+
Serious damage to buildings, severe flooding further inland.
Storm surge +5.5m
Hurricane Irma (2017) caused devastation in Caribbean islands, leaving thousands homeless
“For everyone thinking they can ride this storm out, I have news for you: that will be one of the biggest mistakes you can make in your life.”
Mayor of New Orleans Ray Nagin ahead of Hurricane Gustav, 2008