A warning of “catastrophic” rain, winds and storm surges has been issued as Hurricane Helene headed towards Florida’s northwest coast.
The US National Hurricane Centre (NHC) issued the alert as well as urging action to “protect life and property”.
Maximum winds of 85mph with stronger gusts are forecast from late today (Thursday) local time as Helene intensifies as it moves across the Gulf of Mexico.
As much as 18 inches of rain is expected over parts of the southeastern US.
“This rainfall will likely result in catastrophic and potentially life-threatening flash and urban flooding, along with significant river flooding,” the NHC said.
“Numerous landslides are expected in steep terrain across the southern Appalachians.”
The governors of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia have declared states of emergency ahead of the storm’s landfall.
Evacuations were enacted in 15 coastal counties in Florida and states of emergency were declared in all but 10 of the state’s 71 counties.
John Dailey, the mayor of Florida’s state capital Tallahassee, warned residents to be prepared.
“We have no more time left to wait. We urge you to stay weather aware as we’re on the verge of what could be a historic event,” he said.
All flights and and from Tallahassee airport to points in the US have been cancelled today.
Helene struck Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula originally as a tropical storm before gaining hurricane strength, with the Foreign Office noting in fresh travel advice that a hurricane watch and tropical storm warning have been announced for the north of the region.