Florida governor warns Hurricane Matthew 'is going to kill people'

"Hurricane Matthew began lashing Florida’s east coast on Thursday afternoon and evening as the state’s governor, Rick Scott, warned that lives would be lost and neighbourhoods could be wiped out by one of the most powerful storms in living memory."

"Matthew set its sights on Florida even as the death toll from the storm’s earlier path through Haiti continued to climb on Thursday, with at least 136 people killed by flying debris, falling trees and mudslides."

“This is serious. If you’re on the east coast from Palm Beach northwards you’re likely to see wind from 100-150 mph. Just think about that. These catastrophic levels can completely wipe out well-built homes and destroy neighborhoods.”

"More than 1.5 million Floridians living along the coast and in vulnerable low-lying areas, and another half million residents of Georgia and South Carolina, were ordered to evacuate ahead of the storm’s arrival."

"In the longer term, Matthew was expected to weaken to a category 2 hurricane during Saturday, and eventually downgrade to a tropical storm early next week before making a south-easterly loop back for another assault on Florida."

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/oct/06/hurricane-matthew-florida-preparations-evacuation