A state of emergency has been declared in 26 counties in the Florida Panhandle as weather experts warn another hurricane is heading towards the state.
Hurricane Michael is expected to make landfall in the Florida Panhandle on Wednesday morning and as a Category 3, with winds of 160km per hour, the US National Hurricane Center said.
Storm Michael was upgraded to a Category 1 hurricane on Sunday evening and has already hit parts of Mexico and Cuba. It could reach or be close to a Category 3 hurricane by Tuesday night or Wednesday.
A tropical storm warning is in effect in parts of Cuba as well as the coast of Mexico from Tulum to Cabo Catoche.
Gulf Coast residents have been told to prepare for evacuation orders and authorities have put more than 5,000 National Guard soldiers on alert.
Florida governor Rick Scott appeared on TV to say: "The storm will be life-threatening and extremely dangerous." 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.
Picture: Channel4000.com
