US President Donald Trump on Wednesday declared a state of emergency in Florida in anticipation of the arrival of Hurricane Michael, which turned into a severe storm near Florida's beaches this morning.
The Miami-based National Hurricane Center said the cyclone had increased its severity and had been converted into a fourth category on a scale of five categories, possibly the "most destructive storm in decades" in the state.The hurricane, which winds up to 210 kilometers per hour, is heading for the Florida coast of the Gulf of Mexico in the southeastern United States on Wednesday, reaching landfall during the day, according to the center.
The hurricane could lead to deaths in the northeast of the Gulf Coast, the National Hurricane Center said, adding that the sea level could reach 4 meters in some areas.
For its part, the Department of Meteorology in Tallahassee, the capital of Florida, said it had asked the residents to comply with the evacuation orders.
"Cyclone Michael is an unprecedented event and can not be compared with any of the previous events," she said. "Do not risk your life ... leave immediately if you are asked to do so."
State governor Rick Scott warned Tuesday night that Michael could be "the most destructive storm in Florida in decades."
Scott said about 2,500 National Guard troops were mobilized.
State emergency services posted tweets on Tuesday night, confirming that the storm would be "the strongest in more than 100 years" in some areas.
