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Hurricane Michael has strengthened to a category three storm, with winds near 120mph (193km/h) as it churns towards the Florida coast, the National Hurricane Center (NHC) says.
The storm is expected to make landfall on Wednesday. Florida Governor Rick Scott has warned residents to evacuate.
Alabama, Florida and Georgia have declared states of emergency in all or parts of the states.
At least 13 people have reportedly died in Central America due to the storm.
Governor Scott called for coastal residents to evacuate, saying: "It could be the difference between life and death."
Alabama is under a statewide state of emergency ahead of the hurricane, along with 92 counties in southern Georgia and 35 counties in Florida.
Source: BBC