Hurricane Michael: Florida Governor Rick Scott ‘scared to death’ for residents as 155mph winds pummel Panhandle
Evacuation window closes as Michael approaches Category 5 wind speeds
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Hurricane Michael has hit the coast of Florida, bringing 155mph winds and a life-threatening storm surge of up to 13ft (4m).
The hurricane strengthened to a Category 4 storm, with wind speeds almost pushing the top-level Category 5 – with authorities warning that the “potentially catastrophic” cyclone will cause major damage.
“Our biggest concern is … the people that chose not to evacuate,” Mr Scott told CNN. Earlier, the governor warned of “unimaginable devastation” before the storm hit land.
“Hurricane Michael is forecast to be the most destructive hurricane to hit the Florida Panhandle in a century,” Mr Scott said. Donald Trump has said that “we are very well prepared” for impact.
Follow our liveblog below bringing you all the latest on Hurricane Michael.
Additional reporting by agencies
The storm is now a few hours of landfall, so this is Governor Scott's last plea for people to prepare.
Governor Rick Scott said at a news conference, Hurricane Michael will be the "worst storm Florida has seen in a century".
"Regarding power outages, "getting power back is absolutely critical to our response effort. It is a priority," Mr Scott said, perhaps addressing concerns after last year's Hurricane Maria left millions in Puerto Rico without power for several months.
Mr Scott said communities across the Florida panhandle will see "unimaginable devastation," adding that winds could be up to 145 mph and "storm surge" could result in 9-18 feet waves and flooding.
"I can't say enough, listen to local officials," Mr Scott said, adding: "first responders cannot come out to save you" once the storm makes landfall.
"I don't want anything to happen to any family in this state."
"There's nothing our state cannot recover from...Hurricane Michael cannot beat Florida," the governor said.
Mr Scott and his Democratic opponent Bill Nelson have suspended their campaigns for the US Senate in light of the storm.
The Okaloosa County Sheriff posted pictures of flooding already occurring in Lake Lorraine, Florida.
The county covers a region directly in the path of Hurricane Michael.
The National Hurricane Center, located in Miami, Florida, said "water levels are rising" and Michael is "potentially catastrophic".
A meteorologist from Mobile, Alabama, which was also in the path of the storm but may be spared from torrential rains, called it a "monster".
State and emergency management officials have warned residents in the panhandle of Florida it is not currently safe to travel on roads in the path of the storm.
Mr Scott said earlier this morning: “If you are in a coastal area do not leave your house".
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