Hundreds of thousands evacuated in Florida as hurricane approaches
Hurricane Michael, heading for Florida, has been upgraded to an ‘extremely dangerous’ category four storm, hours before it is due to make landfall.
A state of emergency has been declared in Florida, and also in Alabama and Georgia.
The storm has sustained winds of 130mph and is due to make landfall at about midday, which is about 4pm UK time.
More than 370,000 people in Florida have been ordered to evacuate and move to higher ground.
More than 5,000 National Guard soldiers on alert and Florida governor Rick Scott has appeared on TV to warn that the storm will be life-threatening. He said the surge could affect areas of Florida not in the storm’s direct path.
After hitting Florida, Michael will move north-eastward along the Atlantic coast and there are warnings eight inches of rain could fall in northern Florida and through the Carolinas.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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