Deadly 80mph Hurricane Hermine claims first victim as falling tree crushes homeless man while storm’s trail of destruction through Florida sees Brits caught up in holiday chaos
Storm picked up speed as it approached the Gulf coast of Florida with other states in its path
A MEGASTORM slammed into the coast of Florida today bringing 80mph winds, lashing rain and the threat of a deadly storm surge that could cause devastating 12ft floods.
Thousands of national guard troops are on standby and thousands of residents have been evacuated from their homes as Hurricane Hermine approached overnight.
One person has died and around 270,000 homes have been left without power while British tourists are also feared to be caught up in the chaos.
It was upgraded from a tropical storm as it picked up strength yesterday over the Gulf of Mexico and the governor warned the state to prepare for a "life-threatening" event.
The US National Hurricane Center confirmed Hermine made landfall at 1.30am local time - 6.30am in the UK - near the state capital Tallahassee in the North West of Florida.
It has since been downgraded to a tropical storm as it hit the panhandled state.
Some 270,000 homes have been left without power overnight as 80mph winds batter hundreds of miles of the west coast from Tampa to Pensacola.
One homeless man in Marion County, was killed when he was hit by a falling tree, Governor Rick Scott said.
Already five inches of rain has fallen in some areas and forecasters said that could reach 18 inches.
Officials warned the storm could bring dangerous storm surges like those seen in New Orleans during the devastating Hurricane Katrina.
It could leave coastal areas under 12ft of water, forecasters said.
Governor Scott declared a state of emergency ahead of the first hurricane to hit Florida since 2005.
He said: "This is life threatening. We have not had a hurricane in years.
“We will come get you but we cannot do anything during the storm. That’s why you need to take action.”
Hurricane expert Dan Kottlowski said: "We expect Hermine make landfall north of Tampa, in the Big Bend of Florida during late Thursday night into early Friday morning."
The cities of Orlando, Tallahassee, Tampa and Daytona Beach were among those warned they face the added threat of tornadoes.
More than 8,000 national guard officers are being deployed to help with the battle against the storm - which is set to hit its western Gulf of Mexico coast.
Five counties have already been evacuated across the state.
It is expected to move through Florida before hitting North and South Carolina and Georgia.
An estimated 1.5million Brits visit the state every year.
Among its most popular attractions are the Disney World and Universal Studios theme parks.
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