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HURRICANE Matthew has left 1.4million Americans without power as the death toll in Haiti approaches 900.

The storm has now been downgraded to a category one as it moves through South Carolina.

Severe flooding has affected dozens of cities along the US East Coast following Hurricane Matthew. Here, a woman wades through the floodwater of Savannah, Georgia
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Severe flooding has affected dozens of cities along the US East Coast following Hurricane Matthew. Here, a woman wades through the floodwater of Savannah, GeorgiaCredit: AP:Associated Press
Jacksonville in Florida was also badly affected by floodwaters as waves crashed over seas defences
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Jacksonville in Florida was also badly affected by floodwaters as waves crashed over seas defencesCredit: Getty Images
Americans are now facing a multi-billion dollar clean-up operation
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Americans are now facing a multi-billion dollar clean-up operationCredit: AP:Associated Press
This man trudges through the floodwater in Charleston. The historic South Carolinan city had its sea walls breached
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This man trudges through the floodwater in Charleston. The historic South Carolinan city had its sea walls breachedCredit: Getty Images
The winds were strong enough to uproot giant trees as it passed through Florida on Friday
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The winds were strong enough to uproot giant trees as it passed through Florida on FridayCredit: Splash News

Tides of up to 9ft buffeted the city of Charleston as sea water made it over the sea defences and flooded the historic area with ten inches of water.

Incredible images showed locals wading through the water that has inundated the port city.

Millions along the coast of Florida, Georgia and South Carolina now face a long wait to have their power switched back on.

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Local waist-deep water in St Augustine, Florida
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Local waist-deep water in St Augustine, FloridaCredit: Getty Images
Flagler Beach in Florida left a crumbled mess after storm
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Flagler Beach in Florida left a crumbled mess after stormCredit: AP
Crushed trailer in Hilton Head, South Carolina
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Crushed trailer in Hilton Head, South CarolinaCredit: AP:Associated Press

Six Americans were killed during the ferocious storms.

But tiny Haiti bore the brunt of the tragedy as it announced the deaths of almost 900 people on today.

The impoverished country is expecting to see that number rise further still.

Up to 90 per cent of the worst-affected areas have been destroyed.

Aerial pictures of Haiti show a picture of devastation as rescuers struggle to reach isolated villages.

Haiti is still counting the cost of Hurricane Matthew, which struck the island on Wednesday
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Haiti is still counting the cost of Hurricane Matthew, which struck the island on WednesdayCredit: Barcroft Media
More than 800 are now feared dead on the Caribbean island, with the number expected to rise
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More than 800 are now feared dead on the Caribbean island, with the number expected to riseCredit: Getty Images
Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere and was badly affected by an earthquake in 2010
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Haiti is the poorest country in the western hemisphere and was badly affected by an earthquake in 2010Credit: Barcroft Media

The UN said it expected the number of dead to rise even further.

Around 350,000 people are in desperate need of emergency aid, it warned.

And terrifying footage showed the power of storm surges that experts fear could threaten the Carolinas until tonight.

The storm is now moving on to the Carolinas after ripping through Florida and Georgia
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The storm is now moving on to the Carolinas after ripping through Florida and GeorgiaCredit: EPA
Two girls run for cover as they splash in the massive swells generated by the storm
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Two girls run for cover as they splash in the massive swells generated by the stormCredit: Alamy
A man walks through a flooded street in St Augustine, Florida
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A man walks through a flooded street in St Augustine, FloridaCredit: Getty Images
Waves from the Banana River smash into restaurants lining Florida's east coast
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Waves from the Banana River smash into restaurants lining Florida's east coastCredit: AP:Associated Press
Palm trees bend treacherously in the terrifying 100mph winds that hit Florida
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Palm trees bend treacherously in the terrifying 100mph winds that hit FloridaCredit: Getty Images
Heavy waves caused by Hurricane Matthew pound boat docks on Cocoa Beach, Florida. Officials warned that dangerous storm surges were still a danger in the Carolinas
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Heavy waves caused by Hurricane Matthew pound boat docks on Cocoa Beach, Florida. Officials warned that dangerous storm surges were still a danger in the CarolinasCredit: Getty Images
The St Augustine area of Florida was devastated by storm surge waters
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The St Augustine area of Florida was devastated by storm surge watersCredit: Splash News

One home was buffeted by the powerful waves as they crashed into the patio doors.

Florida breathed a sigh of relief yesterday as much of the state avoided serious damage.

Matthew stalked the eastern coast for much of the day, eventually making landfall near the Cape Canaveral space port.

More than 4,500 flights have been cancelled so far between Wednesday and Saturday, and major tourist attractions in Florida have been shut down.

Disney World was amongst those - closing its door for the first time in 11 years.

A lone taxi heads towards the resort yesterday following its closure
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A lone taxi heads towards the resort yesterday following its closureCredit: Getty Images
Ominous storm clouds were seen gathering over its famous tower
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Ominous storm clouds were seen gathering over its famous towerCredit: Twitter
A satellite image of the storm cut a ghoulish figure as it tore across the Caribbean
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A satellite image of the storm cut a ghoulish figure as it tore across the CaribbeanCredit: NASA
The devastating storm is pictured here from aboard the International Space Station
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The devastating storm is pictured here from aboard the International Space StationCredit: NASA

Power was cut off for more than 600,000 in Florida and Georgia overnight.

President Barack Obama called for those staying in their property to heed the warnings of local officials.

He said: "This is still a really dangerous hurricane, that the potential for storm surge, flooding, loss of life and severe property damage continues to exist.

“Do not be a holdout here, because we can always replace property but we can’t replace lives."

Earlier yesterday, some Floridians had expressed regrets at not fleeing before the "terrifying" storm hit.

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