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WASHINGTON, Sept. 1 (Xinhua) -- Residents in U.S. State Florida's coastal areas were warned on Thursday to brace themselves for Hurricane Hermine, the first hurricane to hit the state since 2005.
Calling Hermine "life-threatening," Florida Governor Rick Scott warned of the danger of potentially strong storm surge, high wind and large-scale power outages and urged people in the hurricane's path to hoard at least three days of supplies and to retreat to inland shelters if necessary.
"The most important thing we all must put in our minds is that this is life-threatening," said Scott at a press conference in the state capital city of Tallahassee.
So far, a state of emergency had been declared for 51 of Florida's 67 counties.
According to an advisory released by the U.S. National Hurricane Center, hurrican conditions were expected to reach Florida's Gulf Coast late Thursday.
Projected rainfall could reach 20 inches (51cm) in parts of Florida, according to weather forecasts.
