(Image source from: BBC.com)
A strong Hurricane Michael is set to make landfall in Florida later on Wednesday, compelling mass evacuations in the southern U.S. state.
Micheal, with a category three storm with winds near 125mph (201 km/h) is expected to beef up further when it strikes the Florida Panhandle or Florida Big Bend in the north-west, meteorologists warn.
Over 370,000 people in Florida have been ordered to evacuate.
The states of emergency have been declared in Florida, Georgia, and Georgia.
In Central America, at least 13 people have reportedly died due to the storm.
The Miami-based National Hurricane Center (NHC), in its bulletin, 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 few parts of Florida may see 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.
Currently, Michael is currently moving northwards at 12mph.
"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 the warning from local officials - this storm could kill you. We can rebuild your house, we cannot rebuild your life."
Let me be clear- the storm surge that our coastal counties are facing is deadly. DO NOT ignore warnings from local officials- this storm could kill you. We can rebuild your house, we cannot rebuild your life. If you have evacuation orders, LEAVE NOW. https://t.co/INtoT3YgnW
— Rick Scott (@FLGovScott) October 9, 2018
Despite the warnings, local officials believe a far smaller number of people have in point of fact moved away.
State offices and Schools in the region are to remain closed this week.
On Tuesday, Florida Governor Rick Scott said he had activated 2,500 Florida National Guard troops.
Heavy rains are forecast for the Carolinas, which were drenched by Hurricane Florence earlier this 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."
The National Weather Service has said, over 300 miles of coastline are currently under threat.
Forecasters in Alabama warned of possible tornados.
President Donald Trump told reporters on Tuesday: "We are very well prepared for the incoming hurricane."
The storm caused widespread devastation 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.
Parts of western Cuba were forecast to receive up to a foot of rain, which was hit by the storm on Monday.
Offshore oil platforms in the Gulf of Mexico have evacuated workers, stopping nearly a fifth of daily production.
Five drilling rigs have been moved out of the storm's path, according to the United States Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement.
-Sowmya Sangam
