The US National Hurricane Center said Florida’s Big Bend region was likely to feel the harshest effects of the storm, including flooding and storm surges "20 feet above ground levels" and "destructive waves”.
However, life-threatening conditions are forecast along all of Florida’s western Gulf coast – which is home to tourist hotspots such as Tampa, Fort Myers and Sarasota.
Tampa airport was closed on Thursday, forcing dozens of cancellations, although services are expected to operate as normal once the airport reopens on Friday (27 September).
