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'THIS WILL KILL YOU'

Where is Hurricane Matthew and when will it hit Orlando, Florida?

DEADLY Hurricane Matthew is scraping the Florida coast having already wrought lethal destruction across Haiti.

More than 300 people have been killed on the Caribbean island as the category three storm ripped through the country.

Hurricane Matthew is heading towards Florida forcing mass closures and evacuations across the state
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Hurricane Matthew is heading towards Florida forcing mass closures and evacuations across the stateCredit: Rex Features

The killer cyclone has already battered the Bahamas and clobbered Cuba as it leaves bodies in its wake across the West Indies and heads for Florida.

Florida Governor Rick Scott has already issued a stark warning to Floridians telling them if they don't get out this storm "will kill you".

For the latest updates read our Hurricane Matthew live blog

Matthew has not yet made full landfall, but scraping along the coast with fears it could continue sweeping up the country through Georgia and the Carolinas.

It could strike within the next few hours.

More than 200,000 people are already without power in Florida and interstate highways have been restricted to one way traffic to allow millions to get out.

Fort Lauderdale and Orlando Airports have both shut with Amtrak trains between Miami and New York also suspended.

All Orlando's theme parks have shut, including Walt Disney World and Universal Studios.

This is the first closure of Disney World in 11 years as President Barack Obama declared a state of emergency ahead of its arrival in Florida and promised federal aid.

Foreboding storm clouds gather behind the Cinderella castle at Disney World near Orlando
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Foreboding storm clouds gather behind the Cinderella castle at Disney World near OrlandoCredit: Twitter
The hurricane forced the first closure of the theme park in 11 years
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The hurricane forced the first closure of the theme park in 11 yearsCredit: Getty Images
Floridians continued to board up their homes as Hurricane Matthew stalked the coast of the state in the early hours of Friday
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Floridians continued to board up their homes as Hurricane Matthew stalked the coast of the state in the early hours of FridayCredit: Getty Images
The storm's true power is finally coming to light as images of the devastation caused to Haiti emerge
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The storm's true power is finally coming to light as images of the devastation caused to Haiti emergeCredit: Reuters
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More than 300 people are believed to have been killed on the impoverished Caribbean island by Matthew

Some towns reported that 80 per cent of their buildings had been reduced to rubble by the winds
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Some towns reported that 80 per cent of their buildings had been reduced to rubble by the windsCredit: Reuters

And last night two million Floridians were told to flee their homes in the face of the oncoming winds.

Those who refused were told to give terrified emergency services their next-of-kin's details.

Florida Governor Rick Scott warned: "Time is up. You have to evacuate now if you are in an evacuation zone."

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More than 200,000 were left without power as the storm moved its way up the coast 20-miles out at sea.

Weather forecasters predicted the storm could bring dangerous storms surges as it continues into Georgia and South South Carolina over the weekend.

The Bahamas were badly hit by winds before the storm moved towards the east coast of Florida on Friday
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The Bahamas were badly hit by winds before the storm moved towards the east coast of Florida on FridayCredit: Reuters
US officials handed out forms asking for next-of-kin details to those who refused to evacuate in the face of the storm
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US officials handed out forms asking for next-of-kin details to those who refused to evacuate in the face of the stormCredit: Twitter/NBCnews
Storm clouds make their way over Miami as Florida braces itself for the worst storm to hit it in a decade
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Storm clouds make their way over Miami as Florida braces itself for the worst storm to hit it in a decadeCredit: Riyaz Jamani
Sunbathers lie on the sand in Miami despite the ominous clouds gathering in the distance
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Sunbathers lie on the sand in Miami despite the ominous clouds gathering in the distanceCredit: Riyaz Jamani
Residents have been warned that the storm is likely to kill people who ignore evacuation orders
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Residents have been warned that the storm is likely to kill people who ignore evacuation ordersCredit: Twitter / @MCGPublicSafety

A true picture of the devastation wrecked on the Caribbean became increasingly clear overnight.

At least 300 were killed in Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Cuba and the Bahamas.

And the figure is expected to increase with some towns in impoverished Haiti reporting that 80 per cent of their buildings have been destroyed.

Fifty people were reported dead in the town of Roche-a-Bateau alone.

Governor Scott has also told residents "there are no excuses, you need to leave” after details emerged of the damage wreaked on Haiti.

He said: "If you're reluctant to evacuate, just think of all the people this storm has already killed. You and your family could be among these numbers if you don't take this seriously.

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Commuters make their way through heavy rain in Jacksonville, Florida

The first outer bands of rain are seen passing over Orlando, Florida
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The first outer bands of rain are seen passing over Orlando, FloridaCredit: AP:Associated Press
Waves whipped up by the storm pound the Pompano Beach fishing pier
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Waves whipped up by the storm pound the Pompano Beach fishing pierCredit: Getty Images
Palm trees are battered by the gale-force winds
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Palm trees are battered by the gale-force windsCredit: Splash News
A lone taxi heads towards the Walt Disney World Resort in Florida
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A lone taxi heads towards the Walt Disney World Resort in FloridaCredit: Getty Images
Members of the National Guard ready themselves for "catastrophic" Hurricane Matthew
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Members of the National Guard ready themselves for "catastrophic" Hurricane MatthewCredit: Reuters

"This is going to kill people. Do not surf. Do not go on the beach. This will kill you. We don't know exactly where this storm's going. Don't trust this track."

The storm's 125mph winds are bearing down on the state after wreaking havoc in Haiti, Cuba and the Dominican Republic.

And tens of thousands of Brits could be caught up in the chaos with 1.4million visiting the state every year for attractions such as Disney World and Universal Studios.

However, officials at Walt Disney World, Universal Studios and SeaWorld say they have all shut down until the storm passes.

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