The first band of rain hits Florida: a sign that Hurricane Matthew is on its way.

If it makes landfall it will be the first major hurricane to hit the Sunshine State since 2005.

Florida’s governor issued a stark warning – “Do not surf, do not go to the beach, this storm will kill you.”

Shelters have been opened up across the state for residents seeking safety.

With no way of knowing what path the hurricane might take, the warning was extended up the Atlantic coast through Georgia and into South Carolina.